LGBTQ+ San Mateo County: History’s Mysteries is Menlo Park Library topic on June 18

On Tuesday, June 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, learn about about LGBTQ+ history of San Mateo County at the Menlo Park Library (800 Alma St.)

Reprising his history presentation full of stories and images from newspapers and advertisements of the day, presenter Michael Flanagan will address the questions about the county that continue to puzzle him.

Topics and questions will include:

1911: Dr. Alan Hart attends Stanford; he underwent one of the first female-to-male gender transitions in the United States in 1917
1936: Arrest of Henry Cowell in Menlo Park, on morals charges
1960s: Why did folk music spots draw a gay crowd in the 60s?
1970s: Whatever happened to the Imperial Court culture of the Peninsula and South Bay?
1980s: How accurate are the historical statistics on AIDS in the local community?
2000s: Why did gay & lesbian bars disappear from San Mateo County?
2012: San Mateo County Pride Celebration established
2017: The County’s first Pride Center opens

Michael Flanagan is a Menlo Park Library reference librarian and history columnist for the Bay Area Reporter.