Disclaimer: San Diego Foundation uses LGBTQ+ as a default term for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, intersex, asexual or transgender. “Gay” and “queer” are also appropriate terms to use if approved by the person being described.
2024 marks a historic moment for San Diego’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities – the 50th anniversary of our region’s Pride Parade.
At the heart of the history of San Diego’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community lies Lambda Archives of San Diego, a nonprofit organization with a mission to collect, preserve and share the local LGBTQ+ history of San Diego, Northern Baja California and Imperial Valley. Since its inception in 1987, Lambda Archives has grown from a grassroots initiative to a cornerstone of cultural preservation and education.
Among its many impactful programs is the Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship Fund, one of several nonprofit funds Lambda Archives has established with San Diego Foundation (SDF). The fund supports the next generation of LGBTQ+ scholars.
Nonprofit funds support nonprofit operations and programs over time or in perpetuity. SDF handles fund administration and provides world-class investment management for nonprofit funds so organizations can focus on what’s most important: their mission.
The Roots of Lambda Archives
From left: Cait Casey signing “love” and Michael Ann waving at San Diego Pride Parade in 1990 and a representatives of Dignity L.A. at San Diego Pride Parade in late 1980s or early 1990s (Credit: Lambda Archives of San Diego)
The story of Lambda Archives began with Jess Jessup, a nurse and activist whose passion for preserving LGBTQ+ history was ignited while he was a member of the Gay Liberation Front at San Diego State University.
“He recognized that so many people in our community were dying off in rapid numbers due to AIDS, and he himself would actually pass from complications having to do with AIDS,” shares Nicole Verdes, Managing Director of Lambda Archives. “He started the earliest iterations of Lambda Archives in his apartment as a way to collect and preserve photographs, papers, protest signs, anything you can think of.”
This early effort to save pieces of history from being discarded eventually grew into the comprehensive archive that the organization has today.
Lambda Archives boasts several notable programs, including an extensive oral history project that captures the diverse experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. The project includes decades-worth of narratives from youth, elders, AIDS activists and more.
Birth of the Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship Fund
Award recipients of the Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship Fund was born out of a vision shared by Gibran Guido, a queer Chicano activist and educator. In 2018, Gibran joined the board with a clear goal: to create a scholarship for queer Latinx or Chicano students beginning their education at community colleges.
“When we asked him why he wanted to join the board, he said ‘I want to create a scholarship for students that look like me,’” Nicole recalls. “What he meant was for queer Latinx or Chicano students that are getting their start and education through community college.”
The first Tijuana LGBT Pride Parade in 1995 (Credit: Lambda Archives of San Diego)
“At the time, you know, we kind of felt, was it really Lambda Archive’s place? To do that, was it within the scope of our mission? Do we have the funding to do it? We’re a smaller organization, but he was so persistent for years and years. He kept really poking that idea – and it was a great idea. We just didn’t know.”
In 2021, beloved community member Larry Baza passed away. Larry, a queer Chicano and Guamanian activist, had made significant contributions to LGBTQ+ rights, student rights and the arts.
“He got his start as an activist in the ‘70s at City College here in San Diego,” Nicole notes. “He went on to become one of the most beloved and impactful activists – not only for LGBTQ+ issues but also student rights, for artists. He was a giant in terms of the arts and culture scene. He was just an incredible human being and everybody seemed to know him. Everybody seemed to be touched by his life.”
Tijuana Pride Committee participating at the San Diego Pride Parade in 1999 (Credit: Lambda Archives of San Diego)
His legacy of activism and community service inspired the Lambda Archives to name the scholarship in his honor. The fund is specifically designed to support local community college students who identify as Latinx or Guamanian and are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Although our mission is to collect, preserve and share the local history, we do that in a number of ways,” Nicole contributes. “And one of the ways that we’ve been doing it recently in the last couple of years is by sharing Larry’s legacy through the scholarship. So, the fund is designed to specifically benefit students that mirror Larry’s identities.”
Impact and Expansion
Since its launch three years ago, the Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship has provided $1,000 in scholarships to 19 deserving students to support their educational journey. The funds are distributed directly to the students to address their unique needs. This approach ensures that students can use the funds for essentials like food, transportation, and other personal expenses that can otherwise hinder their academic progress.
The scholarship has received widespread support from elected officials, community members, and those who knew and loved Larry Baza. Its positive impact on the recipients is evident, with many expressing profound gratitude for the financial and emotional support it provides.
Jess Jessop holds up a quilt square that will be a part of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt (Credit: Lambda Archives of San Diego)
Lambda Archives’ decision to start a nonprofit fund for the scholarship with SDF was influenced by several factors, including recommendations from long-time community members and the Foundation’s strong reputation for community engagement and responsiveness.
Nicole says that personal connections with staff members who represent the LGBTQ+ community have also played a crucial role in facilitating a smooth and supportive partnership. This partnership not only provides a platform to promote the scholarship but also ensures that the funds are managed effectively to maximize their impact.
For more information about the Lambda Archives, the Larry T. Baza Scholarship and how you can support its vital work, visit LambdaArchives.org.
