Coming Out: 50 Years of Queer Resistance and Resilience in Silicon Valley

Arbuckle Gallery at the Pacific Hotel

June 26, 2021 – June 30, 2022

  • Ensamble Folclorico Colibri. Courtesy of Ensamble Folclorico Colibri and BAYMEC Foundation.
  • Mother and son at Pride, 1996. Courtesy BAYMEC Foundation.
  • A sticker and buttons made to fight Proposition 64. Courtesy BAYMEC Foundation.
  • High Tech Gays group marches on Washington, 1987. Courtesy High Tech Gays and BAYMEC Foundation
  • Raising Pride float in San Jose Pride, 1992. Courtesy BAYMEC Foundation.

Coming Out: 50 Years of Queer Resistance and Resilience in Silicon Valley reveals five decades of challenges and joys for the LGBTQ+ community in Santa Clara Valley. From creating and finding community in an area known for its suburban sprawl, to battling HIV/AIDS, to advocating for equal rights, the rich history of Santa Clara Valley’s LGBTQ+ community reflects the greater LGBTQ+ movement in the United States.

The exhibition opens on the day marriage equality was upheld for Californians (June 26, 2013) and the nation (June 26, 2015).

Exhibit Partners & Sponsors

We would like to thank our exhibit partners Exhibit Envoy and the BAYMEC Community Foundation.

This project was made possible in part by a grant from the County of Santa Clara’s Historic Grant Program.

About Clyde Arbuckle

Clyde Arbuckle was instrumental in preserving San José’s history by collecting historic materials, and founding the San José Historical Museum, which later became History San José. Find out more about Arbuckle’s contributions to local history and his legacy at History San José.

About the Pacific Hotel

The Pacific Hotel was originally located at 74-80 South Market Street in downtown San José, near the Plaza de César Chavez. The first hotel at this location was founded in 1860, but the Pacific Hotel itself was not opened until 1880. Charles Schiele, a Prussian immigrant and former waiter, purchased the property, then known as Otter’s Hotel, and was the first owner of the Pacific Hotel. Schiele remained in charge for seven years, until he sold the hotel to Julius Neifing and Jacob Schlenker and was elected to the San José City Council. Schlenker owned the hotel with different business partners until 1903, when he sold it to George Pfeffer. The Pacific Hotel remained in business until July 1907, when the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company bought the building. Read more.