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"Gaydreams" audio recordings

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-Coll-8

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of dozens of audio recordings of the Gaydreams radio show in several formats: reel-to-reels, audiocassettes, and digital audio tapes (DAT). Most of the tapes are well labeled with broadcast date and interviewees (including Edmund White and Greg Louganis) or weekly theme.

Dates

  • 1989 - 1995

Creator

Conditions Governing Access Note

Contact John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives of Philadelphia for information about accessing this collection.

Biographical/Historical Note

When Sunshine Gaydreams debuted in 1974 it was the first weekly gay radio program on the East Coast, and perhaps in the United States. Its creator was John Zeh. The hour-long gay issues program, broadcast over the University of Pennsylvania's public station WXPN-FM, soon shortened its name to Gaydreams. In 1996 the show was taken over by Robert Drake, who renamed it Q'zine while shifting the focus to a greater emphasis on music and arts. Q'zine is still broadcasting as of 2012.

Bibliography:

Sterling, Christopher H. and Michael C. Keith. Sounds of Change: A History of FM Broadcasting in America. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2008. Page 135.

WXPN. "Q'zine." Accessed July 2, 2012. http://xpn.org/xpn-programs/qzine.

Extent

2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Gaydreams was among the first gay radio programs in the United States when it debuted in 1974 on the University of Pennsylvania's public radio station WXPN out of Philadelphia. The Gaydreams audio recordings, 1989-1995, consist of dozens of tapes of the radio show in several formats.

Location Note

East wall, alcove

Related Archival Materials Note

University of Pennsylvania, University Archives and Records Center: WXPN-FM (Radio station: Philadelphia) Records, 1986-1999, UPF 10.

General Physical Description note

2 boxes

Processing Information Note

Summary descriptive information on this collection was compiled in 2011-2012 as part of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania’s Hidden Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories (HCI-PSAR), using data provided by the John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives of Philadelphia. The HCI-PSAR project was funded by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

This is a preliminary finding aid. No physical processing, rehousing, reorganizing, or folder listing was done in the HCI-PSAR project.

Title
"Gaydreams" audio recordings, 1989-1995
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by staff of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's Hidden Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories using data provided by the John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives of Philadelphia
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Sponsor
This preliminary finding aid was created by staff of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania’s Hidden Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories (HCI-PSAR) using data provided by the John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives of Philadelphia. The HCI-PSAR project was made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Repository Details

Part of the John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center Repository

Contact:
1315 Spruce Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
215-732-2220