July 9, 2025: After the amazing success of the Gateway to Pride exhibition at the Missouri History Museum, people are asking what is next? Will the work go on? The answer is a resounding YES - in many ways.

The St. Louis LGBT History Project will continue to partner with area organizations (including the Missouri History Museum and many others) to advance the study of St. Louis's lavender ancestors. Since 2007, Project Founder Steven Louis Brawley has been sheparding a strategic effort to "queer" the collections of area archives/museum/libraries.

Specifically, the Missouri History Museum has honored Brawley by creating the Steven Louis Brawley Endowment Fund to ensure funding and resources will be available for the Museum to continue collecting artifacts and oral histories to further advance its growing LGBTQIA+ collection. The Project and Museum look forward to future discoveries that will help unearth St. Louis's dynamic queer past and tell the stories of its pioneering ancestors. Brawley photo by Mark Moore.

Donate to Steven Louis Brawley Endowment Fund

On June 7, 2024, the Missouri History Museum announced the naming of the Steven Louis Brawley Endowment. The endowment will ensure there are ongoing resources for the Museum to collect, conserve, and preserve the stories of the region's LGBTQIA+ ancestors and community. The Gateway to Pride exhibition is not an end all, but the beginning of this important work. The Museum and the St. Louis LGBT History Project will continue to partner and grow the collection and offer educational programs. To do this work, financial resources are necessary. Your support is greatly appreciated. Learn More & Donate

Remarks by Steven Louis Brawley at the June 7 opening event for the Gateway to Pride exhibiiton at the Missouri History Museum:

When I began my journey with the creation of the History Project in 2007, I knew there was a void.

But - I had no idea how big the void was.
How much of our history was:
• Hidden
• Lost
• Ignored
• Filtered
• And thrown away, yes thrown away!

Tonight, I stand before you and humbly say those days are over! History once lost - is NOW found! We ARE St. Louis!

Still under attack.
Still fighting back.
But we are seen and not silenced.

In a few moments this audience will get a first look at a first in Missouri history – the first ever full-scale exhibition documenting and celebrating our LGBTQIA+ ancestors and community.

What a moment. A moment to take a deep breath and really appreciate this groundbreaking experience.

What a journey it has been with many of you here tonight. Chosen family. Yes family.

Since 2007 I have fearlessly championed the need for the preservation and promotion of our LGBTQIA+ legacy.

So many of you have joined me in this hard work. I can't name everyone, but you know who you are. Many of you are here tonight. I so love and so appreciate you. Thank you.

I found kindred spirits in our esteemed local institutions at the State Historical Society at UMSL, Washington University, The Griot Museum of Black History, the Missouri State Museum, and others.

In 2012 I began my now very close relationship with the MHS team, first with Sharon Smith wanting to add LGBTQIA+ voices to the 250th exhibit. And, we did. Then, as rumor has it, I approached Dr. Frances Levine - even before she formally began her role here. Well, she says I did.

Within her first few months on the job, she was at my home in Kirkwood rummaging around my basement sorting through my collection. Add to that additional amazing MHS friendships. Especially Dr. Ian Darnell who found me in 2008 and has been my friend, colleague, confident, and advisor.

So, yes, promises were made, and promises were kept – not only would MHS collect the queer stuff, but they would also create a full-scale permanent collecting initiative that would entail exhibits. Like the one we open tonight.

Kudos to the entire Gateway to Pride community team so aptly led by Michael Slawin and dozens of volunteers that really did the heavy lifts to make all this happen.

Now, we all know none of this happens without the precious three:
• Time
• Talent and
• Treasure

That's why I have decided to make a legacy gift in my estate plan to support a permanent endowment to sustain the LGBTQIA+ collection at MHS. It's my way of paying forward my passion and commitment to this endeavor.

By your mere presence here tonight it is evident you appreciate and support history. So, please consider making a legacy gift of your own to support MHS.

So, here we are.

Out of the shadows. And proudly on display.
History once lost – is NOW found!
We ARE St. Louis!