This collection is made up of over 400 VHS and SVHS tapes, including master and duplicate tapes, raw and edited content and multiple and single camera footage; tapes capture many San Francisco and Bay Area LGBT social and recreational events spanning from 1977 to 2002 such as contests, athletic competitions, award shows and fundraisers, parades, drag shows and more.

The BML Videos videotape collection was created by Luis Pérez-Cordero, the creative director, editor, and CEO of BML Videos, a San Francisco-based filming company active from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. Started by Luis and two friends, “BML” was named for the three friends’ first initials – Bruce, Mario, and Luis. Before BML Videos officially formed, Luis and Bruce were involved in creating video recordings for MEN (Male Entertainment Network) of LGBT motorcycle run shows, clubs, and competitions around the Bay Area. When MEN disbanded, Luis and Bruce joined with friend Mario to start BML Videos, creating videos of parades, street fairs, and various coronations and competitions. Mario and Bruce controlled the cameras while Luis edited footage, often live-editing to ensure interested bars could broadcast the footage as close to the live event as possible. In what began as just a hobby, BML Videos emerged as one of the only video production companies of its kind in the Bay Area. As the group’s demand increased, BML hired a fourth member, Scott, as well as additional camera people, runners, and others to help with larger events. All videos were available for purchase by the public for $20.00. BML Videos existed just as the AIDS crisis was intensifying, and many of the people, groups, and organizations that the footage documented would later fall victim to the tragedies of the disease. Despite this, BML Videos managed to capture the great diversity and variation found among LGBT communities in San Francisco during the 1980s and 90s, including videos that celebrated the lives of those lost to AIDS in the gay community. Due to career demands and the relocation of the original partners, BML finally disbanded in the late 1990s.

15 cartons, 1 box, 1 oversize box (16.2 linear feet)

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Managing Archivist at the GLBT Historical Society. Permission to publish is given on behalf of the Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner.

Collection is open for research. Funding for processing this collection was provided by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).