Gerber/Hart Library and Archives (Gerber/Hart) hosted the Clutch Your Pearls! The Gerber/Hart Spring Soiree April 9 at Sidetrack.
The night featured hilarious and irreverent comedy sets from award-winning actor, writer and producer Ron Popp (who also served as emcee); Sam Rocha; singer, songwriter and producer Queeny and Dana Kaye. Their unique spins on comedy were well received by attendees.
A new film, Pearl’s Dream, directed by Eesha Patkar and written by Gerber/Hart Development Manager Michael Rashid, debuted at the event. It stars Rashid and Lori Lee as Pearl M. Hart. Attendees applauded and cheered Lee and Rashid’s performances and were wowed when Hart’s IBM typewriter, which is housed in a Gerber/Hart archival room, was shown in the film.
Lee, who was also in attendance, said this event is the first time she saw the completed film. She added that until she did the film, she had no idea who Hart was and the important role she played in the LGBTQ+ community. Lee added that she was overwhelmed when she saw Gerber/Hart’s archival rooms for the first time.
Gerber/Hart Board Co-Chair James Conley shouted out the library and archives (which houses Chicago and the Midwest LGBTQ+ communities’ history and cultural artifacts and an immense queer and trans-focused lending library) volunteers whom he called the “heart” of the organization. He added that “this evening is about coming together as a community. A night of celebration and joy with one another. We don’t get to have enough of that.”
Conley spoke about first being a Gerber/Hart volunteer for six years and how seeing the collections in the archives made him see himself reflected for the first time. He said there is “so much power in the stories that are told within our archives.” Conley added that “tonight is a piece of our history. We know that there are attacks on our community. There are those who feel just so sour.” He called on everyone to think about the joy and fun of this evening in the face of people who want to erase these moments from existence.
Additionally, Conley said that the archives are full of “moments like this at times when it was illegal or dangerous to share a drink, laugh and dance” in community. He also said that “we are lucky” to live in Chicago and Illinois where there are laws that protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination that don’t exist in other cities and states. Conley called on anyone in attendance to consider donating money and/or their archives to Gerber/Hart.
Rashid reminded everyone of the library and archives upcoming 45th gala anniversary event in the fall. He spoke about Gerber/Hart’s growth which includes a “very intentional open arms, open door policy which we’ve extended toward our community … because what good is a library stocked with books with an archive steeped in history without people knowing about us and coming to check out those books and learning from that history.”
Gerber/Hart Operations Director Erin Bell spoke about the volunteer growth over the past four years from a little over 30 people in 2022 to 175 this year. She spoke about one of the newest additions to their library which are 200 children’s, teen and young adult LGBTQ+ focused books. Bell added that of the approximately 30,000 items in their library, the one that has been the most checked out by users is the third season of The L Word. She also spoke about new archival materials they have recently received—Lynn Sloan Photographic Portraits, La Cueva nightlife photos and a treasure trove of Henry Gerber photos from his great niece.
Gerber/Hart Interim Events and Social Operations Manager Ash Bridges said their involvement with the library and archives has been “life changing” for them. They added that every monetary and physical donation increases the “community voice” of LGBTQ+ people and history at Gerber/Hart.
Rashid told this publication they exceeded their $15,000 fundraising goal at the event which also featured an appearance by members of the Chicago Pride Hockey Team members.
