Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Archives Center Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1146
Creators:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Becker, John M.
Gay Officers Action League. GOAL
Heritage of Pride (HOP)
Hirsch, Leonard
Guest, Barbara
Barna, Joseph T.
Guest, Michael E.
Rohrbaugh, Richard
Cruse, Howard, 1944-2019
Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA)
Dates:
1825-2023, undated
bulk 1960-2023
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
71.1 Cubic feet
214 boxes, 22 map-folders
Repository:
This collection contains a variety of periodicals, photographs, correspondence, business and advertising ephemera (corporate and non-profit, personal), organizational records and ephemera, created by, for, and in reaction to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The Archives Center Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Collection contains periodicals, ephemera, posters, postcards, advertisements, photographs, organizational records, publications, correspondence, and other materials related to all aspects of the LGBT community and the civil rights issues pertaining thereto. The collection was created by the Archives Center to bring together materials specifically pertaining to the LGBT community. This collection contains material from communities and individuals throughout the United States. The collection is currently strongest in periodicals, newspapers and ephemera and very strong in material from California and New York. The collection continues to add new items and the researcher would be wise to take a broad view in targeting their research topics in the collection.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is divided into twenty-eight series.
Series 1: Periodicals, 1937-2023
Series 2: Agencies, Associations, and Organizations, 1965-2023, undated
Series 3: Community Life and Subject Files, 1825-2023, undated
Subseries 3.1: Photographs and Slides, 1870-2009, undated
Subseries 3.2: Ephemera and Buttons, 1969-2022, undated
Subseries 3.3: Posters and Prints, 1825-2018, undated
Subseries 3.4: Subject Files, 1958-2023, undated
Subseries 3.5: Pride, 1976-2023, undated
Subseries 3.6: HIV and AIDS, 1987-2020, undated
Subseries 3.7: Gay Games, 1982-2018
Series 4: Advertising, Business, and Publications, 1912-2023, undated
Subseries 4.1: Advertising, 1970-2018, undated
Subseries 4.2: Business, 1986-2021, undated
Subseries 4.3: Television, Theater, and Motion Pictures, 1978-2023, undated
Subseries 4.4: Bar ephemera and advertisement, 1979-2018, undated
Subseries 4.5: Publications, 1912-2023, undated
Series 5: Biren, Joan E. (JEB), 195-2018, undated
Subseries 5.1: Xerographic Copies of Photoprints, 1971-1995, undated.
Subseries 5.2: Posters and Oversize Advertisement, 1973-2018, undated
Series 6: Dietrich, Joseph A., 1992-2010
Series 7: Mattachine Society Records, 1942-1996, undated
Subseries 7.1: Correspondence, 1952-1991, undated
Subseries 7.2: Board of Directors Minutes, 1954-1974, undated
Subseries 7.3: Organizational Information, 1942-1993, undated
Subseries 7.4: Councils, Chapters, and Committees, 1953-1965, undated
Subseries 7.5: Conventions, 1953-1960, undated
Subseries 7.6: Publications, 1944-1996, undated
Series 8: Rainbow History Community Pioneers, 2003-2012, undated
Series 9: Strub, Sean O., addendum, 1987-2011, undated
Series 10: Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore (GLCCB, 1990-2014, undated
Series 11: Ros, Silvia, 2009-2011
Series 12: Huebner, David, 2009-2014
Series 13: St. George, Philip, 1945-1955, undated
Series 14: Will & Grace, 1995-2006
Series 15: Barna, Joseph T. and Heritage of Pride (HOP), New York, New York, 1910-2014, undated
Subseries 15.1: Photographs, Photographic Negatives, and Slides, 1985-2010, undated
Subseries 15.2: Heritage of Pride (HOP), 1984-2014, undated
Subseries 15.3: Barna, Joseph T., 1910-2013, undated,
Series 16: Becker, John M., 1999-2014, undated
Series 17: Rohrbaugh, Richard, 1972-1986, undated
Series 18: Guest, Michael E., 2001-2009
Series 19: The Fosters, 2013
Series 20: Pride at Work, 1990-2015
Series 21: Sabatino, Michael and Voorheis, Robert, 1980-2016, undated
Subseries 21.1: Archilla, Gustavo A. and Lokkins, Elmer T., 1916-2014, undated
Series 22: Gay Officers Action League (GOAL), 1982-2016, undated
Series 23: Brown, Adele "Del" and Herizon's Bar, 1985-1991, undated
Subseries 1:
Changing Herizons
, and
Herizons Newsletter
, 1983-1991
Series 24: Universal Fellowship Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), 1957-2019, undated
Series 25:
The Christmas House
, Crown Media Family Networks, 2020-2021
Series 26:
Cones, Myra L. and Harris, G. Yvonne
, 1979-2001, undated
Series 27:
Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA)
, 1993-2004, undated
Series 28:
Hooker, Meryl
, 1989-1996, undated

Historical Note

Historical Note
While the quest for equal rights has been pursued by generations, it is generally acknowledged that the modern day Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement began in New York City in June 1969 with the Stonewall Riots. Prior to this time a number of activists, individuals, and organizations such as The Mattachine Society, Daughters of Bilitis and others, fought to bring recognition of LGBT civil rights to the forefront of American society. While the movement was primarily, and most visably, centered in New York City and San Francisco, periodicals, guide books, and ephemeral material interconnected the larger LGBT community throughout the United States. The increased visibility of the LGBT movement inspired affinity groups at odds with the LGBT community's new found visibility and quest for broader civil rights. The challenge to what was termed "traditional" values encouraged these counter-LGBT groups to define and solidfy their constituency and also become more pro-active. This collection comprises material that is generated by individuals and organizations promoting both points of view.

Administration

Author
Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.
Accruals
The Archives Center continues to add to this collection.
Addendums and gifts were received from: Dr. James P. Davidson; ONE Archive, Los Angeles, California (2019, 2023); the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries; Service Members Legal Defense Network, and Department of Defense Comprehensive Review Working Group; Joan E. Biren (2010); Joseph Dietrich, Bradley Reichard, Franklin A. Robinson, Jr. (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021); Archives of Philadelphia, William Way LGBT Community Center (2012); Joyce Cheney (2012); Patsy Lynch, Rainbow History Community Pioneers (2012-2014); Leah Kelley (2012); Gregory Exline (2013); the Sean O. Strub addendum was collected from Sean O. Strub, publisher and executive editor of POZ Magazine from Katherine Ott, curator, Division of Medicine and Science (2013); Silvia Ros (2013-2014); David Heubner (2014); Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore (2014); KoMut Entertainment, Max Mutchnik and David Kohan, Will & Grace (2014); Christopher D.A. Ragonese (2014); Antonio Ruffini (2014); Heritage of Pride, Inc.(2014); Peter J. Howell (2014); John T. Bender (2014); Steven Mayers (2014); Richard Rohrbaugh (2015); Donald Fenton (2015); Michael Guest (2015); ABC Family, Jori Arancio (The Fosters, 2015); Jerame Davis, Pride at Work (2015); Dee Mosbacher (2015); Nancy Gray, executor for the Leonard P. Hirsch estate (2015); Victoria Kathleen Hall (2015); John Coppola (2015); Christopher Aguilar Garcia (2016); Berea College, Berea, Kentucky (2016); Michael Sabatino and Robert Voorhies (2016, 2017); Jim Holbrook (2016); William J. Shepherd, Gay Officers Action League (GOAL) (2016); Daan G. Erikson (2016); Christina Dean (2016, 2017); George Bowman (2017); Adele "Del" Brown (2017); Laurie Ryan (2017); The Mattachine Society (2017); Walter Hanclosky (2018); Robin Tyler (2018); Robert B. Connelly, Jr. (2017, 2018); Larissa Stenzel (2018); Daniel M. DiLandro (2019); Kenneth W. Clubb (2019); Lynn Witt and Sherry Thomas (2019); Steve Pieters (2019); Troy Perry (2019); Greg Louganis (2020); Joan Juster (2020); Paul Detwiler (2020); Harry G. Heiss (2020); Suzanne Freed (2020); Jude Flynn (2021); Robert Witeck (2021); Crown Media, Family Networks (2021); Kyle Ruempler (2021); Alexander Slater (2021); Bruce Woolley, the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley/Out Alliance (2021); G. Yvonne Harris and Myra L. Cones (2022); Eric Gangloff (2023); Dexter Fox (2023); Meryl Hooker (2023); Sherilyn Thomas and Lynn Witt (2023).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was assembled by the Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian, beginning in 2004.
Custodial History
The Sean O. Strub addendum was collected by Katherine Ott, curator, Division of Medicine and Science and transferred to the Archives Center in 2013.
Processing Information
Processed by Susan B. Strange, archivist, 2004-2008. Processed by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr., archivist, 2009-2023; assisted by Jennifer Berger, Kendra Ciccone, Erin Molloy (Biren, Lynch, and Mattachine Addendums), Erin Walsh, Katarina Walther, Theresa Worden, Lily Stowe-Ackerman, Ryan Komitor, Amelia Dolbeare, Sara Kunkemueller, Geoff Kelly interns; supervised by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr. and Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves. Researchers must use reference copies of audio-visual materials. When no reference copy exists, the Archives Center staff will produce reference copies on an "as needed" basis, as resources allow.
Do not use original materials when available on reference video or audio tapes.
Preferred Citation
Archives Center Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Related Materials
Materials in the Archives Center
Michio and Aveline Kushi Macro-Biotics Collection (AC0619)
The Shamrock Bar: Photographs and Interviews (AC0857)
John-Manuel Andriote
Victory Deferred
Collection (AC1128)
Archives Center Wedding Documentation Collection (AC1131 )
Division of Science, Medicine, and Society HIV/AIDS Reference Collection (AC1134)
John-Manuel Andriote
Hot Stuff: A Brief History of Disco
Collection (AC1184)
Joan E. Biren (JEB) Queer Film Museum Collection (AC1216)
World AIDS Institute (WAI) Collection (AC1266)
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Records (AC1282)
Helping Persons with AIDS (HPA) Records (AC1283)
DC Cowboys Dance Company Records (AC1312)
Bil Browning and Jerame Davis Papers (AC1334)
David Hadley Rockwell New York Disco Ephemera Collection (AC1342)
Leonard P. Hirsch Federal Globe Records (AC1357)
Corbett Reynolds Papers (AC1390)
Mark Segal Papers (AC1422)
The Mattachine Society of Washington "Love in Action" Collection (AC1428)
Academy of Washington Records (AC1458)
Matthew Shepard Papers (AC1463)
I'm From Driftwood
Records (AC1503)
The Division of Political History holds artifacts related to gay activist Franklin Kameny and a variety of political buttons. They also hold LGBT related artifacts from Joan E. Biren (JEB).
The Division of Medical and Science holds objects donated from Dr. Renee Richards, Sean O. Strub, and Leonard Hirsch.
The Division of Entertainment and the Arts holds objects donated by The Fosters, Will & Grace, and
The Christmas House
.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Women's music Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Transgender people -- Identity Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sexual orientation Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Political activists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lesbianism Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lesbian and gay experience Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Gay activists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Homosexuality Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
HIV and AIDS Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Feminism Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bisexuality Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Passports Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Postcards Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 2000-2010 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Posters Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Videocassettes Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Canada -- Description and Travel Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Germany -- description and travel Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertising Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
DVDs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Amsterdam (Netherlands) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bars (Drinking establishments) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Gay Pride Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Washington, D.C. -- history Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Songbooks Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Periodicals Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Los Angeles (Calif.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
New York, New York Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Voorheis, Robert Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Biren, Joan E. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dietrich, Joe Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Larson, Gordon P., 1910-1988 -- 20th century Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sabatino, Michael Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Exline, Gregory Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Florence, Laura Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Huebner, David Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Nitz, Ryan Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Meinke, Mark Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
McWaine, Dwayne, Dr. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bushnell, Megan Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Davidson, James, Dr. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Gay Officers Action League. GOAL Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Shannon, Michael A. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ros, Silvia Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Robinson, Franklin A., Jr., 1959- (actor) Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Reichard, Bradley Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
American Federation of Teachers Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Snodgrass, Adam Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sheets, Justin Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
University of Connecticut Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
William Way Community Center Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smith College Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
San Diego LGBT Pride Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Department of Defense, Comprehensive Review Working Group Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lynch, Patsy Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lombardi, Angela Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Karazsia, William G. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Karazsia, Amy Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jain, Shawn Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu