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.
Spanning the humanities, politics, arts, and culture, Circa will feature queer and trans thinkers and doers leading the movement for LGBTQ+ liberation.
Circa: Queer Histories Festival is presented by One Institute. Circa is made possible with support from our sponsors. Past sponsors have included Los Angeles County Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the City of West Hollywood, Uptown Gay & Lesbian Alliance, Paul D. Lerner & Stephen Reis, OXY ARTS, Amazon, l.a.Eyeworks, Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathy Barger, Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, Los Angeles County Eleventh District Councilwoman Traci Park, Los Angeles County Fourteenth District Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, and our broadcast sponsor ABC7.
Special thanks to the Circa Steering Committee Members: Badly Licked Bear, educator, storyteller, artist, and mutual aid worker; Cole Santiago, filmmaker and founding partner at Field Trip; Daniel V Rodriguez, artist and community organizer; Dr. David Green, scholar and Interim Director of the Center for the Study of Genders and Sexualities at Cal State LA; Felicia Carbajal, community organizer, co-founder and Executive Director of The Social Impact Center; Holly M. Crawford, One Institute board member, museum curator and educator; Jerri Allyn, artist and activist; lynn ballen, activist, Senior Producer of Feminist Magazine, and Board President of Dyke Day LA; orin calcagne, experimental performer and playwright; Paul Outlaw, performer, writer and multidisciplinary artist; Raphael Rosalen, writer, scholar, and producer; Rasheed Newson, One Institute Board Chair, television drama writer, producer, showrunner, and author; Ray Lopez Chang, community organizer and Executive Director of USC’s Latino Alumni Association.
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. In 2026, One Institute became stewards of STORIES: The AIDS Monument, in partnership with the City of West Hollywood.
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 and Instagram @oneinstitutela and @theaidsmonument.
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