Two Major Exhibitions Showcase Queer History Through Photography, Art, and Archival Materials
New York, N.Y. – The Getty Center in Los Angeles has opened its doors to a historic celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and history with two groundbreaking exhibitions that mark the institution’s most comprehensive exploration of Queer lives and artistic expression to date. The exhibitions “$3 Bill: Evidence of Queer Lives” and “Queer Lens: A History of Photography” opened June 10 and June 17, 2025, respectively, running through September 28, 2025.
A Historic First for the Getty Institution
The “$3 Bill: Evidence of Queer Lives” exhibition features paintings, ephemera, video and photography to highlight LGBTQ+ histories and culture from 1900 to today.
This marks a significant milestone for the Getty Research Institute, as it represents their first exclusively queer-focused exhibition.
The timing coincides with Pride Month celebrations nationwide, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ artistic expression and cultural contributions throughout the past century.
The exhibition’s provocative title, “$3 Bill,” references the colloquial phrase “Queer as a three-dollar bill,” reclaiming what was once derogatory language as a badge of authenticity and pride.
This linguistic transformation mirrors the broader evolution of queer identity and community building that the exhibition documents through its extensive collection of archival materials and artistic works.
Photography as a Tool for Queer Documentation
The companion exhibition “Queer Lens: A History of Photography” demonstrates how LGBTQ+ people have used the camera to record their lives since the invention of photography.
This comprehensive survey spans two centuries of photographic documentation, revealing how queer individuals and communities have utilized visual storytelling to preserve their experiences, celebrate their identities, and resist marginalization.
The photography exhibition includes both professional and amateur works, creating a democratic representation of queer life across different social, economic, and cultural contexts. From intimate family portraits to bold artistic statements, the collection demonstrates the camera’s power as both a personal and political tool for the LGBTQ+ community.
Cultural Significance During Challenging Times
The exhibitions open amid a wave of political hostility toward LGBTQ+ rights across the U.S., making the Getty’s commitment to celebrating queer culture particularly significant. The institution’s decision to mount these comprehensive exhibitions during Pride Month 2025 sends a powerful message of support and visibility for the community.
The exhibitions feature works that document both celebration and struggle, providing historical context for contemporary challenges while highlighting the resilience and creativity that have characterized LGBTQ+ communities throughout history. Visitors can explore themes of love, resistance, identity, and belonging through carefully curated selections that span generations of queer experience.
Educational Impact and Community Engagement
Beyond the exhibitions themselves, the Getty Center has developed an extensive program of educational initiatives and community events designed to deepen understanding of LGBTQ+ history and culture. Throughout the summer, the center will host free performances and programming that complement the exhibitions and create opportunities for dialogue and community building.
The archival materials featured in “$3 Bill” come from the collections of gay artists and organizations, providing scholars and visitors with unprecedented access to primary source materials that document the evolution of queer communities in America. These resources will serve as valuable tools for researchers studying LGBTQ+ history, gender studies, and American cultural movements.
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TAGS: pride month, lgbtq+ art, getty center, photography exhibition, los angeles museums,
queer history, cultural heritage, art exhibitions, queer culture, lgbtq+ community
Audio Summary (75 words)
The Getty Center has launched two major Pride Month exhibitions showcasing LGBTQ+ history and culture. “$3 Bill: Evidence of Queer Lives” and “Queer Lens: A History of Photography” feature art, ephemera, videos, and archival materials spanning from 1900 to today. These groundbreaking exhibitions represent the Getty’s first exclusively queer-focused shows, celebrating two centuries of LGBTQ+ artistic expression, resistance, and community building during a time of renewed political challenges facing the community.
