Stephen Roberts Collection

Stephen Roberts Collection

Stephen Roberts grew up in his hometown of Winter Park as a self-proclaimed “Central Florida boy,” later attending Seminole Community College and the University of Central Florida studying business administration. Influenced by his father who bought him his first camera, Roberts’ passion for photography started young and developed further when at 15, he found his digital camera provided far more access and individual power to his photography. While he works professionally as an accountant, he dedicates much of his free time to capturing beautiful places and significant events with his camera. As one of the original members of the Central Florida Softball League, he amassed many photographs dedicated to gay athletic teams in Central Florida, ranging from 2000 to the modern day. The initial years of the league lack photography because at the time, he coached his team. Once he started taking photos, however, these became significant for purposes of preserving memories for the players he photographed. He uploaded the photos on to his personal website and then onto Facebook. Players could download them for free and keep mementoes of their time in the league.

For Roberts and the players, CFSL represents a safe space where queer athletes could be themselves in a fun and welcoming environment, finding camaraderie through sports. Roberts had experience in LGBTQ activism beyond his participation in queer sports, as he was on the board of directors for the Hope and Help Center in the 80s, which raised money to help those battling HIV and AIDS. Part of his work on the board included creating advertisements in brochures for the Headdress Ball, which raised $10,000 or more annually to aid those afflicted with HIV.

In 2021 he donated his photography collection to the LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida.His photos highlight the importance of queer community building in places other than the bar and nightlife scene. Roberts’ collection is particularly important for how it showcases the variety of genders, ages, and sexualities involved in queer sports.

This is a selection from the collection, which includes many more images and video. To access the full collection please email floridalgbtqmuseum@gmail.com.