Caught up in the sweeping budget cuts to community programs and openly hostile governments at the state and federal levels, the Stonewall National Museum Archives & Library could leave Florida.

“We are looking at other locations because we don’t know what’s gonna happen in Florida,” Stonewall President and CEO Robert Kesten said. “That’s different than because of financial ramifications.”

Currently housed at the ArtServe building in Fort Lauderdale, Stonewall is losing federal funding. The Trump administration is also strongly encouraging corporations to redefine parameters for supporting community events, to include only “family friendly” events.

When asked if the museum was looking for someone to take possession of the vast archive of LGBTQ history, Kesten wasn’t pushing the panic button.

“We’re not at that point. [But] if everything continues the way it is, we will find our community in disruption, and it will be very difficult to sustain everything we’ve built over the last 50 years.”

Kesten made the comments before the museum’s annual Standing On the Shoulders of Heroes gala at the Venue in Wilton Manors on March 1.

“I won’t say we’re in a real crisis, yet. But knowing what’s coming down the pike it could make it that way. It’s really important that people step up so that none of the LGBTQ organizations hit that point.”

Heroes Welcome

The ballroom was packed with local luminaries both familiar and up and coming. Kesten hosted the night, repeatedly stressing the importance of the museum and the history it holds.

On display were physical pieces of LGBTQ memorabilia, including the gavel used by U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi when “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was repealed.

Edith Windsor was honored for her role in getting the U.S. Supreme Court to declare the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, barring federal recognition of marriage equality, declared unconstitutional. Her widow accepted on her behalf.

Iconic swimmer Diana Nyad and Tristan Schukraft, the “CEO of Everything Gay,” were guests of honor.

“I always support Stonewall,” Nyad said. “We’re being attacked and assaulted in many different ways. Stonewall is all about all of us. It used to be just gay men, but now it’s about all kinds of people. We’re brothers and sisters together.”

Schukraft echoed those sentiments.

“It’s important to know where we’ve been so we know where we’re going. People are attacking our rights. Some want to take us out of public view. We must remember those stories because those stories are important.”

Between tickets, which started at $350, and the silent auction, and a raffle for a $30,000 vacation, tens of thousands of dollars were raised. But it was augmented with a live auction led by auctioneer extraordinaire Ryan Cohen from New York.

Kesten says they don’t yet have a total, but says the night was a success. 

“We have a ways to go to raise the funds needed to put us where we need to be, but Saturday was a great first step in that direction. It is heartening to have funds in place to ensure our community’s stories are protected and that on March 8 [International Women’s Day] when we open [the] Edie Windsor-Marriage Equality-The Supreme Court [exhibit], we will be in a stronger position than the week before.”

Photo by JR Davis.