'From Feminists to Feministas: Women of Color in Print and Posters'

A new exhibit of rare posters opens at the GLBT History Museum March 4. "Feminists to Feministas: Women of Color in Prints and Posters" contains 29 works of print art from the 1970s to today that visually trace the power of lesbians, bisexuals, and transwomen of color who rallied for sexual freedom and economic justice in the fight against racism, sexism, and imperialism.

"The GLBT Historical Society's poster collection represents a remarkable time capsule of our communities' history," said co-curator Lisbet Tellefsen. "The collection is vast in both depth and scope and visually chronicles much of our history: from arts and culture to sex, politics and beyond. I look forward to mining this rich collection for years to come and am excited to offer this small glimpse into the collection with our initial exhibit, 'Feminists to Feministas.'"

The GLBT History Museum in the Castro District of San Francisco is proud to present an exhibit of stunning prints and posters drawn from the GLBT Historical Society's enormous poster collection; these prints are specifically chosen to illuminate the role of women of color in the evolving cultural messaging of queer prints and posters. Co-curators Amy Sueyoshi and Lisbet Tellefsen selected images from the 1970s to the 1990s to trace both the changing aesthetic of posters and their significance for�queer women of color.

Lisbet Tellefsen is�an archivist, collector, and producer of more than her fair share of posters as the publisher of "Ach�: A Black Lesbian Journal, 1989-1995."

Amy Sueyoshi�is a historian and professor in Sexuality Studies and Race and Resistance Studies at San Francisco State University, currently the Associate Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies, and author of "Queer Compulsions: Race, Nation, and Sexuality in the Affairs of Yone Noguchi."

The distinctly political images defy conventional standards of femininity, speak out against legislative abuses that disproportionately affect communities of color, and celebrate the health, beauty, and creativity of queer African American, Latina, and Asian Pacific Islander women. Come feel the power of Audre Lorde, Kitty Tsui, and Pepper from BurLEZk, as is the activism of lesbians and gays against intervention in Central America. See the dyke version of the seductive Calvin Klein underwear advertisements of the 1990s!

The prints illustrate how women of color have created community and initiated change through the building of coalitions across ethnicity and gender for multi-issue organizing.

"So invisible are queer women of color in gay scenes of the Castro, in marriage equality, and in the countless shows that are cropping up with queer characters," said co-curator�Sueyoshi. "Yet so tirelessly do queer women of color work for justice, scrubbing on their hands and knees until their knuckles become raw. I wanted to put together a show that underscored the tremendous cultural and political work that they do without recognition or reward. To them -- to us -- I dedicate this exhibition."

Often referred to as San Francisco's "queer Smithsonian," the GLBT Historical Society was founded in 1985. It is recognized internationally as a leader in the field of GLBT public history and is a registered 501(c)3 educational nonprofit organization.

The society's archives preserve one of the world's largest collections of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender historical material, including personal papers, organizational records, photographs, art and artifacts, ephemera and audiovisual recordings spanning more than a century of queer history. The materials are used by authors, curators, journalists, filmmakers, students and other researchers.

In addition, the society operates the GLBT History Museum, the first full-scale, stand-alone museum of its kind in the United States. Located in the heart of the historic Castro District of San Francisco, the museum offers historical and cultural exhibitions and presents panels, talks, film showings and other programs.�

'From Feminists to Feministas: Women of Color in Print and Posters' runs through July 4 at the GLBT History Museum, 657 Mission Street #300 in San Francisco. An opening reception will take place Friday, March 4, 7-9 p.m., $5 donation requested.�