The first and only Queer Histories Festival in the U.S.
One Institute is proud to present Circa, the first and only LGBTQ+ histories festival in the United States, held each October during LGBTQ+ History Month.
Established in 2023, Circa: Queer Histories Festival is a month-long, LA County-wide programming series showcasing the trailblazing histories and vibrant cultural contributions of LGBTQ+ communities through the lens of present-day challenges and triumphs. Through exhibitions, performance, readings, screenings, lectures, dialogues, and parties, Circa features queer and trans artists, activists, and educators leading the movement for LGBTQ+ liberation.
The theme for Circa 2024 is LOVE and (R)EVOLUTION, which brings renewed focus to landmark moments in the history of LGBTQ+ political organizing, as well as the behind-the-scenes stories of community care that have sustained movements for queer and trans liberation over decades. Taking place in the weeks and days before this year’s national election, Circa aims to provide Los Angeles’ diverse LGBTQ+ and allied social justice, arts, and cultural communities a critical opportunity to voice their concerns and hopes for the future.
Circa: Queer Histories Festival is presented by One Institute. Circa is made possible with support from our sponsors Los Angeles County Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, California Arts Council, the City of West Hollywood, Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, and Ares Management.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center is a Co-Presenter of all Circa programs taking place at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, including the Advocate and Gochis Galleries, Renberg Theatre, and Davidson/Valentini Theatre.
Special thanks to the Circa Steering Committee Members: Erik Adamian, Board Chair of GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society; Jerri Allyn, activist artist; Lynn Harris Ballen, activist, writer, and radio producer; Orin Calcagne, experimental performer and playwright; Felicia Carbajal, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Social Impact Center; Holly M. Crawford, museum educator and artist; Samantha Eisenberg, Director of Development at JQ International; Rubén Esparza, multidisciplinary artist and curator; Ray Lopez-Chang, Director of Advocacy and Planning at Great Public Schools Now (GPSN); Austyn de Lugo-Liston, educator, artist, and content creator; Amitis Motevalli, artist and Director of William Grant Still Arts Center; Rasheed Newson, author and TV writer, producer, and showrunner; Jamison Rockmore, writer and filmmaker; Cole Santiago, Director and Executive Producer at Field Trip; C. Jerome Woods, Founding Director of the Black LGBT Project.
About One Institute
Founded in 1952, One Institute is the oldest active LGBTQ+ organization in the country, dedicated to elevating queer and trans history and embracing emerging stories through collaborative education, arts, and cultural programs. Our one-of-a-kind exhibitions and public programs connect LGBTQ+ history and contemporary culture to effect social change. Through unique K-12 teacher trainings, lesson plans, and youth mentorship programs, we empower the next generation of teachers and students to bring queer history into classrooms and communities. As the independent community partner of ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, we promote the largest collection of LGBTQ+ materials in the world.
The curatorial and educational choices made by One Institute are guided by our commitment to social equity and justice. We engage with the complexity of LGBTQ+ history and representation through highlighting the intersectional narratives of Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), women, gender- nonconforming and transgender people, people of various abilities, youth, and elders across all socio-economic classes.
Learn more at oneinstitute.org, and connect with One on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @oneinstitutela.