Dr. George Chauncey’s lecture explores the history of the LGBTQ movement. (photo course of the One Institute)

One Institute and the Los Angeles LGBT Center co-present “Rethinking the Closet: New York Gay Life Before Stonewall” on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the center’s Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place.

The event features Dr. George Chauncey, a prominent historian of LGBTQ communities, discussing his forthcoming book, a long-awaited follow up to his classic work “Gay New York.” The event is part of the Distinguished Scholar Lecture series and One Institute’s Circa: Queer Histories Festival.

Although the 1969 Stonewall rebellion is often called the starting point for queer life and politics, the lecture describes the extensive gay world that existed in New York in the generation before Stonewall. Drawing on Chauncey’s forthcoming book on postwar gay New York, the historian explores the different forms gay male life took in the city’s racially segregated postwar neighborhoods and analyzes the dramatic impact World War II had on gay consciousness and cultural styles.

A reception follows the lecture. Founded in 1952, One Institute (formerly ONE Archives Foundation) is the oldest active LGBTQ+ organization in the United States. For information and tickets, visit circafestival.org/ event/distinguished-scholar-lecture-rethinking-the-closet-new-york-gay-life-before-stonewall.