Walter J. Lear papers

"Walter J. Lear (1923-2010) was active in progressive health issues since the 1940s, the peace movement since the 1950s, civil rights groups since the early 1960s, and gay community services since 1975. Lear received his Bachelor of Science degree from Harvard College in 1943 and his M.D. from the Long Island College of Medicine in 1946. In 1948, he received his M.S. in Hospital Administration from the Columbia University School of Public Health.

"In 1975, while serving as Pennsylvania's Southeast Regional Commissioner for Health Services, Lear came out publicly. That year, he became involved in campaigns to promote a proposed Philadelphia law banning discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation. He remained active in that fight until City Council's passage of the Gay Rights Bill in 1982. He has co-founded, co-chaired, served on the board of directors or played another key leadership role in dozens of national and local lesbian and gay, medical, peace/anti-war and socialist/left organizations. Lear also has actively supported progressive political issues from official positions within government agencies and commissions.

"His community activities have included: Chairperson, Gay Public Health Workers Caucus of the American Public Health Association (1975-1978); activist in campaigns for a proposed Philadelphia law banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (1975-1982); member of the Board of Directors, Gay Community Center of Philadelphia/Penguin Place (1975-1991); Pennsylvania State Health Department's official delegate to the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities (1976-1979); various leadership roles in the National Gay Health Coalition (1976-1981); Co-Chair, National Planning Conference of the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights (1979); organizer of Lavender Left of Philadelphia (mid 1970s-1980s) and member of the national organization's coordinating committee (1980s); founding organizer (1980) and Board member (1983-1986) of the Lesbian and Gay Health Program of Philadelphia / Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives; co-organizer, First National AIDS Forum (1982); co-founder, Philadelphia AIDS Task Force (1982); Commissioner, Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (1984-1988 - first openly gay member); member, Philadelphia Mayor's Advisory Committee on Health Emergencies (1986-1987); Chairperson, Committee on AIDS, Medical Care Section, American Public Health Association (1986-1988); Executive Secretary, Philadelphia Contingent to the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights (1987); member, National Advisory Committee to the Lavender Stripe of Jesse Jackson presidential campaign (1988).

"Lear's marriage (1945-1952) produced two children. He has been with his life-companion, James F. Payne, since 1953. In the 1980s, following his last public health job, Lear dedicated himself full-time to historical research and writing about the U.S. Health Left, 1875 to the present.

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: Kelley, Teri. Finding aid for "Walter J. Lear papers, 1987-1988," July 19, 1995. John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives of Philadelphia, SC 0005.