LABC Presents: LGBTQ+ Histories of Los Angeles

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION: One Institute, founded in 1952, is the oldest active LGBTQ+ organization in the country, dedicated to telling LGBTQ+ history and emerging stories through education, arts, and social justice programs. And, as the independent community partner of ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, One Institute promotes the largest collection of LGBTQ+ materials in the world. One Institute is also an LABC Foundation grant recipient. 

Social changes accelerated by World War II gave way to the rise of queer communities in urban centers, especially in port cities like Los Angeles. Young people embraced newfound personal freedoms, even as medical institutions and government policies targeted homosexuals as psychological and moral deviants. This shift provided the conditions for a shared sense of identity and a movement for civil rights as queer and trans people moved “out of the closet and into the streets” in the later twentieth century.

One Institute will explore queer and trans histories of Los Angeles, primarily covering the 1940s through the 1970s, including the trailblazing role that the organization itself has played in documenting LGBTQ+ history and securing civil rights, beginning with the publication of ONE Magazine and the subsequent SCOTUS case, One, Inc. v. Olesen (1958).

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Trevor Ladner (he/him) is the Director of Education Programs at One Institute, leading LGBTQ+ history programs for youth and K-12 educators. Before joining One Institute, Trevor taught high school history and social studies, most recently in DTLA, where he and his students organized their school’s first Pride Month performance showcase. He earned his Master’s in Education through the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Bachelor’s in Sociology and African American Studies from Harvard College. Trevor is proud to be Gen Z and a Mississippi Gulf Coast native. He occasionally performs in drag as Miss Annie Thang and is an avid watcher of The View. He lives in West Hollywood.

Rory Hayes (they/he) is the Public Programs Manager at One Institute, leading the Circa: Queer Histories Festival and LGBTQ+ Culture Series. Before joining One Institute, Rory worked as Coordinator of Community Programs at Occidental College for the Center for Community Based Learning and the OXY ARTS gallery. Rory has a background as a zine artist but also connects to printmaking, mixed media, performance, and fiber arts. They were featured in the Inaugural Black Zine Festival in 2024. Rory is driven by their desire to create equitable access at cultural institutions so that the generations behind them can feel represented in ways he wasn’t. He currently lives in Los Angeles with their silly calico cat, Olive Oil.

ABOUT THE CLUB: Founded in 1925, the Los Angeles Breakfast Club still thrives with food, friendship, and fun. Our meetings are held in our clubhouse, Friendship Auditorium, located at 3201 Riverside Drive, near the corner of Los Feliz Boulevard, in Griffith Park. Best described as a variety show, attendees enjoy a catered breakfast, silly songs, club traditions, and an interesting presentation from a guest speaker.

TICKETS: Sales on labreakfastclub.com close 48 hours before breakfast. Non-members are $25 and Members receive a 25% discount when logged into their Membership Portal.

Please arrive between 6:45 - 7:00 AM sharp! Doors close at 7:15 AM. Your admission includes a buffet breakfast, enjoyment of our 99-year-old club traditions, plus a special presentation from our Speaker of the Week!

For our ticket refund and exchange policy, please click here.

Note: Membership discounts are a benefit for members current with their dues. If you would like to apply to become a member, click here for more information.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Surgical disposable face masks or medical-grade masks (i.e., KN95, KF94, N95) are strongly recommended when not eating or drinking, especially during the cold and flu season, and will be provided on request.

ANIMALS: Only Service Animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act are allowed indoors at this venue. Please keep pets and emotional support animals safely at home.