This year the LGBT+ Archives Project is honoring Valda Lewis at its annual Oracle Gala. From 1987 to 1993, Lewis and Loretta Mims produced an LGBT+ themed TV show called Just for the Record. Thanks to the Archives Project, that show has been digitized and made available for future generations.
Lewis, who now lives in Ohio, will attend the Gala. She will be on hand to meet and greet the public, and introduce a few clips of the show.
Featuring interviews with people from across the community and providing news coverage on everything from the AIDS crisis to popular LGBT+ books, Just for the Record covered every facet of LGBT+ life in New Orleans. The show chronicled a pivotal time in local queer history and as such is an invaluable resource to future researchers and historians.
Years ago, Lewis donated copies of the original tapes of the show to the Amistad Research Center. Last year, the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana awarded Amistad a grant to have the tapes digitized.
The Oracle Gala will take place at the New Orleans Jazz Market and feature an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $75 on Eventbrite. All proceeds benefit the LGBT+ Archives Project.
Sponsorships are available. Event sponsors will receive ten tickets to the gala and get their logo and / or name on the gala program. Sponsorships start at $500. To become a sponsor, contact the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana at info@lgbtarchivesla.org.
