About LGBT History Project Resources
The LGBT Center of Central PA and the Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections have partnered to document the stories and history of LGBT life and activism in the greater Central Pennsylvania region. This site contains oral histories that have been recorded for the LGBT History Project, as well as fully accessible digital versions of documents, images, and artifacts that have been donated to the project.
This is a quickly growing collection, and not all items are available through this website. Please contact Malinda Triller-Doran at archives@dickinson.edu for information about how to access all of the resources of the LGBT History Project, as well as how to donate additional materials.
Generous support to make these unique resources accessible has been provided by the Schlegel Deibler Charitable Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
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![Central PA Pride Festival Report - [Winter] 1994](/sites/default/files/styles/artifacts_browse/public/image_lgbt/Pride_Festival-Report-1994.jpg?itok=VTvQNcuu "Central PA Pride Festival Report - [Winter] 1994")
Date: 1994
The Pride Festival of Central PA is an annual event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in the Central Pennsylvania region. Founded in 1992, the festival takes place every year on the last Saturday of July in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Each July, approximately 5,000 individuals travel to downtown Harrisburg and attend the Pride Festival. It is the largest Pride celebration between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
The Festival Report was the [Winter] 1994 version of The Pride Newsletter.
Collection: LGBT-014 - Loveland
Topics:
Organizations: Pride Coalition of Central PA
Date: May 22, 2007
The Pride Festival of Central PA is an annual event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in the Central Pennsylvania region. Founded in 1992, the festival takes place every year on the last Saturday of July in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Each July, approximately 5,000 individuals travel to downtown Harrisburg and attend the Pride Festival. It is the largest Pride celebration between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
''Dine Out with Pride'' is hosted by the PrideFest Unity Parade, which was organized from 2006 - 2010 during Central PA Pride Festival, and proceds from dining out would go towards furthering the visability of the LGBTQ+ community in Central PA.
Collection: LGBT-021 - LGBT Center of Central PA
Topics:
Organizations: Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Men's Chorus
View Item: Dine Out with Pride, Central PA PrideFest Unity Parade Fundraiser Brochure - May 22, 2007
Date: July 26, 1997
The Pride Festival of Central PA is an annual event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in the Central Pennsylvania region. Founded in 1992, the festival takes place every year on the last Saturday of July in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Each July, approximately 5,000 individuals travel to downtown Harrisburg and attend the Pride Festival. It is the largest Pride celebration between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
This is advertisement brochure for Pride 1997, being held at Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, PA.
Collection: LGBT-023 - Maurer
Topics:
Organizations:
View Item: Central PA Pride Festival Brochure '97 - July 26, 1997
Date: July 27, 1996
The Pride Festival of Central PA is an annual event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in the Central Pennsylvania region. Founded in 1992, the festival takes place every year on the last Saturday of July in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Each July, approximately 5,000 individuals travel to downtown Harrisburg and attend the Pride Festival. It is the largest Pride celebration between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
This is advertisement brochure for Pride 1996, being held at Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, PA.
Collection: LGBT-012 - Anonymous
Topics:
Organizations: Lily White & Company, Pennsmen Inc., York Area LAMBDA, MCC of the Spirit
View Item: Central PA Pride Festival Brochure '96 - July 27, 1996
Date: July 25, 1993
The Pride Festival of Central PA is an annual event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in the Central Pennsylvania region. Founded in 1992, the festival takes place every year on the last Saturday of July in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Each July, approximately 5,000 individuals travel to downtown Harrisburg and attend the Pride Festival. It is the largest Pride celebration between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
This is advertisment brochure for Pride 1993, being held at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg, PA.
Collection: LGBT-014 - Loveland
Topics:
Organizations: Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of Harrisburg, Lily White & Company
View Item: Central PA Pride Festival Brochure '93 - July 25, 1993
Date: July 20, 1995
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
This is a sneak peak of the premier issue later published in April 1996.
Collection: LGBT-014 - Loveland
Topics:
Organizations: Pink Triangle Coalition (PTC), York Area LAMBDA, Central PA Womyn's Chorus, Lily White & Company, Pride Coalition of Central PA
View Item: Crossroads Magazine Premier Issue Sneak Peak - July 30, 1995
Date: October/November 1997
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
In this Education & Gay/Lesbian Issues Issues:
- Gay Dollars! A look at this Summer's Gay and Lesbian Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Lynn Lavner Interview
Collection: LGBT-013 - Selvey
Topics:
Organizations: Lily White & Company, York Area LAMBDA
View Item: Crossroads Magazine - October/November 1997
Date: August/September 1997
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
In this Issue:
- A Look Back at the 1970s
- The Way We Were...And How We Came to Be
- Kate Clinton - An Exclusive Interview
Collection: LGBT-013 - Selvey
Topics: Stonewall
Organizations:
View Item: Crossroads Magazine - August/September 1997
Date: June/July 1997
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
In this Pride '97 Issue:
- Exclusive! International Flim Star Ty Fox
- Pride '97
- Bobbie Carmitchell Unplugged
Collection: LGBT-013 - Selvey
Topics:
Organizations: Central PA Womyn's Chorus
View Item: Crossroads Magazine - June/July 1997
Date: April/May 1997
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
In this First Anniversary Issue:
- Travel Section - Rehobeth & Puerto Vallarta
- Fire from Hell...Treasures from God
- ''In Search of Missy Ether'' Short Story
- Mr. Harrisburg Contest 1997
Collection: LGBT-013 - Selvey
Topics:
Organizations: South Central Aids Assistance Network (SCAAN), Lancaster AIDS Project, AIDS Community Alliance
View Item: Crossroads Magazine - April/May 1997
Date: February/March 1997
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
In this Love & Romance Issue:
- The Pennsmen and All Things Leather
- Moving to and from Harrisburg
- Streisand's Mirrored Talesman
- Gathering What Was Once Theirs
- Photo Essay - FAB '96
Collection: LGBT-013 - Selvey
Topics:
Organizations: Harrisburg Men's Chorus, Pennsmen Inc.
View Item: Crossroads Magazine - February/March 1997
Date: December 1996/January 1997
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
In this AIDS Issue:
- Central Pennsylvania in the Face of AIDS Spotlights
- SCANN Closure
- York Hospice House
- Coverage of the NAMES Project Memorial Quilt
- 1997 Community Calendar
Collection: LGBT-013 - Selvey
Topics: HIV/AIDs, AIDS Memorial Quilt
Organizations: South Central Aids Assistance Network (SCAAN), York Hospice House (York, PA)
Date: October/November 1996
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
In this National Coming Out Day Issue:
- The AIDS Quilt Returns to D.C. - Susquehanna Valley Names Highlights
- The Renaissance Man
- Organizational Spotlight - Bi-GLYAH
- Community Scrapbook
Collection: LGBT-013 - Selvey
Topics: AIDS Memorial Quilt
Organizations: The Names Project, Bi, Gay, Lesbian Youth Association of Harrisburg (Bi-GLYAH)
View Item: Crossroads Magazine - October/November 1996
Date: August/September 1996
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
This is Pride Issue:
- Tips to Same Sex Estate Planning
- The Supreme TKO - The Court's Decision on Amendment 2
- Take a Trip to Alpha Bathhouse Omega - The Crossroads' Short Story
- Community Spotlight - York Area Lambda and their upcoming Judy! Benefit
Collection: LGBT-013 - Selvey
Topics:
Organizations: Harrisburg Men's Chorus
View Item: Crossroads Magazine - August/September 1996
Date: June/July 1996
Crossroads Magazine was a bi-monthly local LGBTQ+ magazine created, edited, and published by Dr. Eric Selvey. The goal of Crossroads was to bring together the LGBTQ+ community of Central Pennsylvania by creating a space to showcase the efforts and talents of local LGBTQ+ organizations, people, and events, with all articles being voluntary contributions. Crossroads was published from June 1996 – October 1997.
This issue includes:
- Special Report: Breast Cancer 1996 - The Other Community Health Concern
- A Tribute to a Legal Warrior along with Her Parting Words ''I've Had a Magical Life''
- Getting Orientation Into PA's Ethnic Intimidation Act - The Attempt to Stamp Out Hate Crimes Against PA's Sexual Minorities
- Part Two of the Interview with MCC's Pastor O'Diam
- Community Resource Spotlight: Lily White & Company
Collection: LGBT-013 - Selvey
Topics:
Organizations: Lily White & Company
View Item: Crossroads Magazine - June/July 1996
Date: 1976 - 2008. 2010. 2018
Born on May 4, 1923, in Brooklyn, NY, Walter J. Lear was a physician and activist for healthcare reform and LGBTQ+ rights. He received his B.S. from Harvard in 1943, his M.D. from Long Island College of Medicine in 1946, and his M.S. in Hospital Administration from Columbia University School of Public Health in 1948. Lear came out in January of 1976 in the first issues of the Philadelphia Gay News.
Lear held many public health positions in Pennsylvania including, but not limited to, Deputy City Health Commissioner for Philadelphia (1964), State Regional Health Commissioner (1971), and acting executive director of Philadelphia General Hospital. He also founded the Institute of Social Medicine and Community Health (circa 1975) and was one of the four founders of the Maternity Care Coalition in Philadelphia (1980).
As an activist, Lear’s dedication to healthcare and LGBTQ+ rights intersected. His activism included, but is not limited to: Chairperson to the Gay Public Health Workers Caucus of the American Public Health Association (1975-1978); Board of Directors member for the Gay Community Center of Philadelphia, now the William Way Center, (1975-1991); PA State Health Department delegate to the Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorities (1976-1979); co-founder of the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia (1979); co-founder the Philadelphia AIDS Task Force (1982); and the first openly gay member of the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission (1984-1988).
Lear passed away in 2010.
The contents of this collection are organized into six series: Context of Collection, Correspondence, Photographs, Scholarship, Recognition Events, and Miscellaneous. For more materials related to Walter J. Lear, please see:
Collection: LGBT-089 - Lear
Topics:
Organizations:
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-089 Walter J. Lear Collection
Date: 1980 - 2009
John Folby was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The eldest of five children, Folby was raised in a “very strict Roman Catholic, Irish-Italian family.” At age twenty-five, he relocated to Harrisburg with his partner. Shortly after moving to Harrisburg, Folby became heavily involved in the local gay community, beginning with his work on the Harrisburg Gay Switchboard. He also joined a group for gay Catholics, Dignity/Central PA, which better integrated him into the gay community with trips to New York City for the annual Gay Pride parade and introductions to the gay bar scene in Harrisburg.
With the influx of HIV/AIDS in the gay community, Folby began his twenty-five-year career with the Department of Welfare where he ran the Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program (SPBP), Pennsylvania’s version of an AIDS Drug Assistance program for people living with HIV/AIDS. Folby, with the help of his supervisor, was able to parlay this civil servant position into one of advocacy. Due to lack of government funding, Folby was frequently forced to think creatively and economically to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and get the word out about HIV/AIDS medications, such as AZT. Folby became an advocate inside the system.
This collection contains the personal and governmental activism of John Folby. Items represent local, state, national, and international HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
Collection: LGBT-037 - Folby
Topics: HIV/AIDs
Organizations: South Central Aids Assistance Network (SCAAN), Act UP
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-037 John Folby Collection
Date: 2007 - 2019
TransCentral PA is a nonprofit 501c3 organization which serves the transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming community in central Pennsylvania. It was originally formed in 1989 as the Lower Susquehanna Valley chapter of the national trans organization, Renaissance Education Association. The group separated from the Renaissance in 2006. This collection contains administrative materials and monthly newsletters from 2007-2021.
Collection: LGBT-088 - TransCentral PA
Topics:
Organizations: TransCentral PA
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-088 TransCentral PA Collection
Date: 1984
Gold Pennsmen Inc. 7th Anniversary Pin.
Collection: LGBT-010 - Wilson
Topics:
Organizations: Pennsmen Inc.
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Date: 1983
Staff T-shirt for the Harrisburg, PA gay bar and resturant, The Archives.
Collection: LGBT-010 - Wilson
Topics:
Organizations:
View Item:
Date: 1980
Electric bar sign of Shadows, a prominent gay bar in Harrisburg, PA.
Collection: LGBT-010 - Wilson
Topics:
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Date: 1986
NAGVA Nationals Tournament 4 (Chicago, IL) plaque.
Collection: LGBT-010 - Wilson
Topics:
Organizations: Harrisburg Hustlers Volleyball Team
View Item:
Date: 1986
NAGVA Nationals Tournament 4 (Chicago, IL) grey, short sleeve shirt.
Collection: LGBT-010 - Wilson
Topics:
Organizations: Harrisburg Hustlers Volleyball Team
View Item:
Date: 1983
Six napkins from The Archives, a prominent gay bar and restaurant in Harrisburg, PA.
Collection: LGBT-010 - Wilson
Topics:
Organizations:
View Item:
Date: circa 1980
Matchbook from Harrisburg, PA gay bar Shadows.
Collection: LGBT-010 - Wilson
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Organizations:
View Item: