In this interview, Jon Sparer discusses his involvement as the architect of Congregation Ner Tamid's synagogue in Green Valley. He explains details of the building including the concrete tilt-up form, glass windows and the incorporation of quotes throughout the building. Sparer also discusses his involvement with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) as a board member.
According to architect Jon Sparer, when he moved to Las Vegas in the early 1980s, the art of the deal was still based on a "handshake." It was just after the infamous MGM fire and Jon went to work for Rissman and Rissman. He later worked for Marnell Corrao Associates until 2001, and then as a principal in his own firm. He is now retired. While honing his design skills with the exciting transformation of the Strip into a world-class destination, Jon also became an active contributor to the Las Vegas community. Among his most notable experiences was being on the search committee for a new location for the fast growing Congregation Ner Tamid and then the architectural design for the synagogue's location in Henderson. It was a unique experience and Jon tells how he approached each aspect of the religious facility and how it would provide a memorable setting for life experiences. Jon has been involved with Jewish Family Services and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). In addition, Jon along with his husband John Klai have been instrumental in the LGBTQ community and the opening of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada [The Center]. In this interview, he also talks about the significance of The Center/ and its success in working with the Clark County Health District, as well as providing a user-friendly experience for all who visit The Center and the Bronze Cafe located there.
Candice Nichols, executive director for The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, was honored for her community service.
Nichols has been a community activist and professional in the nonprofit sector in Nevada for more than 20 years. Her activism began in 1989 when she became the chairwoman of Pro-Choice Advocacy, a coalition that codified Roe v. Wade in Nevada through a ballot initiative in 1990.
The Ted Lenhart LGBTQ Community Collection (1990-2001) is comprised of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and organizational material detailing LGBTQ community issues in Nevada throughout the 1990s. The collection includes materials from organizations including: Aid for AIDS of Nevada, the Clark County Coalition of HIV/AIDS Service Providers, the Nevada chapter of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT-UP), efforts to organize an HIV-Negative Men’s support group in Nevada, and Nevada Outdoors, an LGBTQ hiking club.
Interviewed by Maribel Estrada Calderón. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico in 1979, parents immigrated to US when he was pre-school age. By 1989, they had moved to Las Vegas where father got a construction job. Today, Raul is Vice President of Catering with the Station Casinos/Hotels. Married to Ace Daniels.
The Dennis McBride Personal Papers (approximately 1920-2023) contain the papers of local historian and activist Dennis McBride. Papers include correspondence between McBride and many prominent members of the Las Vegas, Nevada LGBTQ community; financial and employment records from McBride's time at University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Nevada State Museum; publications, press, and research surrounding McBride's numerous written works, unpublished and published; and family history, correspondence, and other personal documents. The collection also contains McBride's detailed personal date books and diaries that span multiple decades. Some audiovisual material and correspondence exist as digital files.
The Carratelli Family Collection on Gay Rights in Nevada (1992-2002) consists of documents and ephemera from various gay rights organizations and events in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to documents, fliers, and meeting minutes, the collection houses a box of t-shirts from various gay events and campaigns. The collection is especially focused on issues of Gay Pride organizing.