Sexual minorities

Abstract The Gay Alternative was a literary forum for gay expression created by a collective of individuals during the early years of gay liberation. This magazine began as a newsletter of the Gay Activists Alliance of Philadelphia. The Jeffrey Escoffier records of The Gay Alternative, 1972-1976, include original manuscripts of essay submissions, administrative, correspondence, and financial records of the organization, and a small...

Abstract Katherine “Kay” Lahusen (1930–2021) was a photojournalist, author, activist, and longtime partner of Barbara Gittings (1961–2007), considered by many to be the mother of the LGBT movement in the United States. Lahusen’s photography and activism was integral to the organizing work of Gittings and fellow activist Frank Kameny. The Kay Lahusen papers are comprised primarily of content Lahusen retained, created, or consumed in the fourteen years following Barbara Gittings’ death in 2007 until...

Abstract

Keith A. Kamm (1947-1993) was a bibliographer at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia and a gay rights activist. The Keith Kamm papers, circa 1970s, consist of materials relating to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) issues in libraries, the mental health community, and issues relating to feminism and sexism. This is a convenient collection for studying books relating to LGBT issues in the 1970s.

Abstract

This collection is made up of LGBT-related zines produced from the 1990s through the current day, most from the late 2000s. The term zines can refer to material ranging from a loosely-structured collection of personal thoughts to expertly designed publications, and vary widely in size. Topics include gender identity, sexuality, coming out, mental health, activism, community-building, oppression, race, and art.

Abstract

Tommi Avicolli Mecca (b. 1951) is a writer, singer/songwriter, performance artist, and activist. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Avicolli Mecca was involved in many Philadelphia-area Gay rights organizations. The collection is comprised of six series: 1) Subject files; 2) Gay Activists Alliance (Philadelphia) records; 3) Gay Media Project (Philadelphia) records; 4) Gay Community Center of Philadelphia records; 5) Photographic slides; 6) Audiovisual material.

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Walter J. Lear (1923-2010) was active in civil rights, LGBT rights, and healthcare reform. Lear was a medical doctor who served as Pennsylvania's Southeast Regional Commissioner for Health Services. The Walter J. Lear papers, 1975-1996, consist primarily of printed materials relating to LGBT rights and HIV/AIDS education. There are also a small amount of materials relating to Lear's membership in various LGBT and healthcare reform organizations.

Abstract

William Damon was an active member of the gay communities of Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, NY; Key West, Fla., and Provincetown, Mass. Throughout his life he was active in the gay rights movement. He worked as an editor and writer for multiple publications. The William Damon papers, 1965-1984, contain items relating to Damon's personal life and are chiefly biographical.

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The William Way LGBT Community Center clippings file, 1979-2012, consists of clippings related to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) issues collected by volunteers of the William Way Community Center.

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The William Way LGBT Community Center ephemera files, 1972-2012, consists of flyers, newsletters, advertisements, posters, and other ephemera from LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) organizations, events, businesses, community groups, etc.

Abstract Since the 1970s the William Way Community Center and its predecessors, the Gay Community Center of Philadelphia and Penguin Place, have provided encouragement, support, and advocacy for the well-being and acceptance of sexual and gender minorities through service, recreational, educational, and cultural programming. The William Way LGBT Community Center records, 1972-2012, are comprised of the institutional records of the center, including administrative and financial records, and some...