Political activists

Abstract This collection houses the personal papers of the late activist Ada Bello (1933-2023). Bello was a lesbian, Cuban immigrant, chemist, and prominent activist for LGBTQ+ civil rights in Philadelphia during the latter half of the twentieth century and early twenty-first century. Bello is best known for her early and continued involvement with groups such as the Daughters of Bilitis and the Homophile Action League.The collection is arranged into three main series: "Series I: Papers,"...

Abstract This collection houses the personal papers of Barbara Gittings (1932-2007) and her family. Sometimes referred to as the "mother of gay rights," Gittings was a prolific activist in the movement for LGBT civil rights in the United States in the latter half of the 20th Century.The collection spans 1867 to 2010 and documents Gittings's personal life as well as that of her family, both the Gittings (paternal) and Brooks (maternal). The collection also includes materials related to...

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The Fight the Right Network was formed in Philadelphia in 1994 to build campaigns against the agenda of right-wing political groups. The Fight the Right Network subject binders, circa 1994, are comprised of materials relating to leftist and right wing groups, and reports on social/political issues.

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Grassroot Queers was a Philadelphia-based queer activist organization that operated from 1993 through 1999 to fight for equal rights and increased visibility for the LGBTQ community. The Grassroot Queers records, 1993-1997, includes organizational records and ephemera pertaining to their diverse activist efforts and community events.