First LGBT History Museum Opens in S.F.

The nation's first museum dedicated solely to LGBT history opens Wednesday in San Francisco.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports on the new GLBT History Museum, located in the historic Castro district.

"Now, objects from the kitchen table and pink-framed sunglasses that belonged to Harvey Milk -- who became the first elected openly gay politician in California by becoming a member of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors -- to manuscripts and sex toys, are on display at the 1,600-square-foot space at 4127 18th St.

"With two exhibits and hundreds of articles, the GLBT History Museum is the world's second museum dedicated solely to gay and lesbian archives and materials, museum officials said. The only other one is in Germany."

The museum is operated by the GLBT Historical Society, which sought to open a museum for more than a decade but struggled to find an affordable space, the Chronicle reports. A temporary exhibition opened after the 2008 film Milk proved a permanent museum could be successful, and encouraged local businesses and individuals to donate thousands to the $250,000 required to open and operate the permanent museum in its first year.