By Luqman Gberno, Nova Southeastern University
If someone happened to be in the Village Park neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, FL, on the morning of April 17, 2025, they may have caught a glimpse of a dark-haired gentleman with a black suit jacket and a nametag that read, “I AM Andry Romero.” That man was not Andry Romero.
Romero, age 31 from Venezuela, is currently detained in an El Salvadorian prison. Prior, he was a makeup artist and an openly gay man seeking asylum in the United States due to anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. Instead, he was detained at the California border and deported. Romero is one of many caught in the immigration crackdown, and his high-profile case spurred outcries of support from the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Among those drawing attention to Romero’s case was Robert Kesten, executive director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives and Library. For Kesten and the institution he leads, Romero’s story is not just a political issue—it’s a human one. And it underscores the museum’s mission: to preserve and amplify LGBTQ+ history, stories, and voices, especially those at risk of being erased.
The Stonewall Museum acts as a custodian of queer stories and vulnerable voices alike. Through exhibitions, events, and one of the largest LGBTQ+ archives in the country, the museum preserves history while fostering community and courage.
“What we do here is we look at our community’s history and culture, and we use that as a way to help people gain courage, not fear. We are a community that has always faced obstacles. We are the product of the labor movement, the civil rights movement, and the women’s movement,” Kesten said. “We are made up of people who have been marginalized and prejudiced against, and we have a special obligation as children of the rainbow to invite people in. Because the rainbow is something that offers hope, not just to queer people, but to everyone.”
Kesten’s advocacy extends beyond gestures of solidarity. He is politically active and encourages others to get engaged.
“Everybody should be in touch with their state, local, and federal representatives. Write letters, make phone calls, set up appointments, and put groups together to contact these people. They need to know they are your representative, not your leader. We didn’t elect them to be our leaders. We elected them so that they would listen to our concerns and bring them back to the legislature,” Kesten said.
Kesten considers his work incredibly affirming. He says the museum pushes him forward and reminds him he has a responsibility to his fellow humans.
“When I come to work, I walk through the space, and I am reminded of all the shoulders that I stand on. All those people that came before [and] experienced prejudice, homophobia, and all of those things. It reminds me that we are all playing our part in a much bigger picture.” Kesten said.
Guests are welcome to read from the library’s collection of 30,000 books and explore exhibits. There is always something going on at the museum, according to Kesten. They’ve hosted brunches with authors like Rita Mae Brown, book readings with Bruce Vilanche, and celebrations of activists like the late Edie Windsor.
“We change up exhibits very regularly so that we give the community an opportunity to see the things that we have and hear the stories of the people in our community,” Kesten said.
One of the many showcases Kesten looks forward to is the “55 Years of Pride” exhibit on June 1, 2025. Guests can ring in the month with an immersive experience that walks them through Pride from its inception to now.
Then, on June 28, the Stonewall Museum will honor its namesake with their second annual recreation of the Stonewall Uprising. Attendees who RSVP are welcome to gather and relive the history that was made 56 years ago on Christopher Street.
“There’s never a dull moment here. And we want people to come. We want people to see what we have. We want people to think of this as a home away from home,” Kesten said.
Those interested in the Stonewall National Museum Archives & Library can learn more about their programs and events at www.stonewall-museum.org.
Luqman Gberno is a student reporter in NSU’s feature writing course taught by Dr. Megan Fitzgerald in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts.
