Photo Archive

Welcome to the Cooper Do-nuts photo archive — a visual time capsule of resistance, resilience, and community in the heart of Los Angeles.

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The Faces, Places, and Moments That Built a Movement

From the humble beginnings of Evans Cafeteria in the 1930s to the vibrant safe haven that Cooper Do-nuts became for LGBTQ+ folks, working-class patrons, artists, and outsiders, these images tell the story of what it meant to belong — in a city that didn’t always make space for everyone.

Each image is more than a memory — it’s part of a legacy. One built on defiance, donuts, and the radical act of welcoming everyone.

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