On the evening of October 13, Gerber/Hart Library and Archive held its fall benefit titled This Archive is Queer, with an aim to raise money for the continued expansion of the organization and the purchase of new computers and photographic equipment. The event, which was held in the library at 6500 N. Clark st. featured a collection of art pieces inspired by members of the LGBTQ community as well as organizations and materials from the library by noted visual artists, a silent auction, performances from members of The Artemis Singers, and a reading by Tricia Alexander.

Before the start of the event, artists Jose Luis Benavides and Amanda Cervantes (who presented an installation celebrating Amigas Latinas), James Hosking (whose collage was inspired from the Library's collection of personals and erotica), and Sam Kirk (who donated a mural of the recently deceased queer activist, bar owner and entrepreneur Marge Summit) participated in a question and answer panel along with Gerber/Hart Board Member Jacqui Shine.

During the program Development Coordinator Michael Rashid noted that the library had expanded as an organization spatially as well as with the addition of three new employees but had an eye aimed at the future. The new direction includes creating a digital library as well as starting a video library featuring interviews and documenting live events. The goal is to expand archival spoken history, provide more physical exposure, and deeper archival research.

Members of The Artemis Singers entertained the audience with a jolly reading of "Surprise (I'm A Lesbian)" from the rare album, Gay and Straight Together (on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings). The album, which was a collaboration of LGBTQ and straight artists was recorded and released in 1980 and was recorded at Marge Summit's celebrated musical showplace and bar, His and Hers.

The Henry Gerber-Pearl Hart Library and Archive is the largest circulating library of gay, lesbian, and queer titles in the Midwestern United States. Started in 1981, the library, according to the organization website "seeks to collect, preserve, and make accessible the history and culture of the LGBTQ communities in Chicago and the Midwest in order to advance the larger goal of achieving justice and equality."

For more information on Gerber/Hart Library or to donate inquire at infor@gerberhart.org .