The Sacramento City Council approved the LGBTQ+ Historic Experience Project on Dec. 3, an initiative to document and preserve the city’s LGBTQ+ history. This decision solidifies the findings of the project and emphasizes the City’s commitment to recognizing and protecting its historically underrepresented communities.
By documenting and preserving the LGBTQ+ community’s history, the project honors countless individuals and important groups by adding them to Sacramento’s cultural narrative.
Following the success of the Preservation Office’s African American Experience Project, a grant was awarded by the California Office of Historic Preservation to conduct similar research for the LGBTQ+ community, especially surrounding the Lavender Heights neighborhood in midtown.
“Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ history is rich and multifaceted, yet much of this history has remained undocumented and unprotected,” said Associate Planner, Henry Feuss. “This project has made it possible to create a document to gather stories and recognize people and places that paved the way for the LGBTQ+ community.”
The City partnered with historical consultants at Page & Turnbull to research and draft the Historic Context Statement, a planning tool used to identify buildings, sites, and landscapes for their association with the LGBTQ+ community in Sacramento. Volunteers and students assisted in various ways to gather information including over 15 oral history interviews, which will be archived at the Center for Sacramento History.
Feedback on the draft document was gathered during City hosted public meetings, small group discussions and one-on-one interviews. City preservation planners also attended LGBTQ+ events and worked closely with partners such as the Lavender Library, LGBT Community Center, and the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. Additional funding from the National Trust, Preservation Sacramento, and logistical support from The Lavender Library coalesced into a community stipend program to compensate community members who contributed to the project.
With the final adoption of the project, Sacramento solidifies its role as a leader in preserving LGBTQ+ cultural heritage. Next, City staff will begin outreach to property owners of identified historic sites, preparing for potential historic designation.
For more information, residents can visit the project’s website or contact the team at
LGBTQ-experience@cityofsacramento.org.
