Emma Adams Uses Legal Research and Writing Skills to Bring Tenderloin Museum LGBTQ+ Exhibit to Campus

Student Emma Adams stands next to a poster describing key LGBTQ legal moments.

Emma Adams collaborated with the Tenderloin Museum to create a walking gallery that highlights key moments, figures, and legal battles in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. As a member of UC Law SF’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group, she helped connect the law school with the Tenderloin community, emphasizing the ongoing impact of legal advocacy in advancing equality.

3L Emma Adams

  • Collaborated with the Tenderloin Museum to create a gallery that highlights some of the moments, people, and legal histories that have shaped the quest for LGBTQ+ rights.
  • Serves as a judicial extern with the Hon. Rochelle C. East, presiding judge of San Francisco Superior Court.
  • Contributes to and advises UC Law SF’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group as a student member.

What I did:

When thinking about how to plan UC Law SF’s Diversity Week this year, members of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group wanted to include members of the Tenderloin community in our celebration.

The Tenderloin Museum is a wonderful San Francisco institution and offers an important look back at the history of this neighborhood, especially its central role in the ongoing work to achieve equality and justice.

I was honored to collaborate with the museum to create a walking gallery highlighting the resilience, courage, and influence of the LGBTQ+ community through artwork and narrative storytelling. The research and writing I did provided a look at the historical influence of the LGBTQ+ rights movement through the legal battles that continue to shape our country today.

Now more than ever, it is essential to build bridges with our community partners to stop those attempting to erase and silence LGBTQ+ voices.

Emma Adams

An exhibit on LGBTQ+ rights displayed at UC Law SF
A sign describing the Tenderloin Museum's work
A poster describing the work of gay rights pioneer Henry Gerber.
A poster discussing key moments in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, with a photo of gay men branded with pink triangles in Nazi concentration camps.
A poster discussing mid-20th century moments in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
A graphic-novel-inspired poster describing the Compton's Cafeteria Riots.
A poster promoting a theatrical performance that celebrates the Compton's Cafeteria Riots.
A poster noting the repeal of Texas' anti-sodomy law, the signing of the Matthew Shepard Act, and the end of the
A poster describing key moments in the legal battle for same-sex marriage.