The Lavender Names Project: Call for Community Photos
By Nicole Verdes
Behind every career cut short, every discharge paper, every revoked credential, there’s a face, a name, and a history that deserves to be preserved.
Lambda Archives of San Diego is proud to partner with the San Diego Opera, the American LGBTQ+ Museum, Up Until Now Collective, and Diversionary Theatre on the Lavender Names Project—a nationwide initiative to collect and preserve the photos and stories of LGBTQ+ people who have experienced government persecution.
From the Lavender Scare to gay bar raids. From “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to deportations of LGBTQ+ immigrants. From the government’s negligence during the AIDS crisis to passport denials for trans and nonbinary folks to today’s executive orders rolling back protections—this persecution spans generations and takes many forms.
The Lavender Names Project ensures that the faces and stories of those who came before us—and those experiencing persecution today—are seen, remembered, and honored.
What We’re Collecting
We’re seeking photos and stories from anyone who has experienced government persecution for being LGBTQ+, including:
Legal/Criminal Justice:
- Arrests or prosecution under sodomy laws or “crimes against nature” statutes
- Entrapment by undercover police officers
- Placement on sex offender registries for consensual same-sex conduct
- Loss of security clearances
Family/Personal Status:
- Denial of spousal or dependent benefits for same-sex partners
- Loss of custody or parental rights
- Denial of immigration benefits for same-sex partners or families
- Forced separation from partners during military deployment or relocation
Education:
- Expulsion from military academies or ROTC programs
- Revocation of teaching licenses or credentials
- Denial of federal student aid or educational benefits
- Removal from public university housing
Housing/Services:
- Denial of public housing or emergency shelter services
- Eviction from government or military housing
- Exclusion from federally-funded programs or services
Institutional:
- Involuntary commitment to psychiatric facilities
- Harassment or violence by government officials or law enforcement
- Being subjected to military “witch hunts” or investigations
- Denial of government employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity
Where Your Submission Goes
Photos collected through the Lavender Names Project will:
✨ Appear on stage at the end of every performance of Fellow Travelers at San Diego Opera
✨ Become part of the American LGBTQ+ Museum’s permanent collection
✨ Be preserved in Lambda Archives of San Diego
Your story becomes part of a living memorial that will be seen by thousands and preserved for future generations.
Important Safety Note
⚠️ Submissions will be displayed publicly and become part of a permanent archive. Only share your story if you’re comfortable with it being widely seen. We want to honor your experience while keeping you safe.
How to Submit
SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO AND STORY HERE >
https://bit.ly/LavenderNamesProject2025
Questions?
Contact us at info@lambdaarchives.org
Help us make sure San Diego’s LGBTQ+ history is represented in this powerful tribute to the resilience of our community.