January 25, 2025 – The Home We Build, Presented by One Institute’s Youth Ambassadors for Queer History

In 1984, Audre Lorde proclaimed that, to build a world without racism and homophobia, we must “learn how to take our differences and make them strengths. For, the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.”

Inspired by Lorde’s words, The Home We Build features the creative archival research projects of One Institute’s 2024–2025 Youth Ambassadors for Queer History: Aymee, Bailey, Claudia, Eva, Jasper, Kim, Piper, Sadie, and Simon. Our Youth Ambassadors use the joys and challenges of our queer history and elders as tools to build their own home. From lesbian photography and immigrant experiences, to teacher activism and the history of gender-affirming care, their work grounds us in our shared history to imagine our liberation.

Through workshops, community field trips, and hands-on research at the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, these LGBTQ+ high school students from across Los Angeles have demonstrated exceptional intellect, passionate curiosity, and dazzling creativity as stewards for LGBTQ+ history and advocacy. Their unwavering courage to live authentically and their determination to carry on the legacies of those who came before us reminds us in times of struggle that we can always find home within each other.

The opening reception will take place at One Gallery in West Hollywood on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 3 to 5 PM. Parking is available at the West Hollywood Library and can be validated for two hours in the first floor office.

At 3:15 PM, there will be a brief presentation where students will reflect on their experience in the program and be awarded scholarships and certificates. For our remaining time together, attendees are invited to enjoy light refreshments, be in community, and view students’ projects on display.

Special thanks to Rob Saltzman; Peta Lindsay; Craig Loftin; Maddie Silva and 826 LA; Andy Campbell, Jessica Carolina González, and Robert Brady; Zachary Davidson, Matthew Richter, and the LA LGBT Center; Loni Shibuyama, Bud Thomas, and ONE Archives; Judy Sisneros and ACT UP Los Angeles; Yuè Begay and Indigenous Pride LA; the City of West Hollywood; and our incredible co-educators, Kat Gaylord, JoJo Kiedman, Luca DiMassa, and Mica Andy.

This program is made possible through the generous support of Amazon, David Bohnett Foundation, Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, and Uptown Gay & Lesbian Alliance.

This program and event is organized by Trevor Ladner, Director of Education Programs at One Institute. Please contact Trevor at [email protected] with any questions.

Image credit: Promotional image by One Institute. Archival images courtesy of ONE Archives at the USC Libraries. AMAZON and the AMAZON logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.