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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LGBT History Project
Date: circa 1992
Thurman Grossnickle (left) and Barry Loveland (right) at the First Community Recognition Banquet hosted at Miss Garbo's Tea Room in Carlisle, PA.
Collection: LGBT-007 - Miller
Topics:
Organizations:
View Item:
Date: circa 1976
Janet Cooper (left) and Sam Deetz (right), members of the PA Rural Gay Caucus, in late 1975 or early 1976.
Collection: LGBT-011 - Deetz
Topics:
Organizations: PA Rural Gay Caucus
View Item:
Date: March 1976
Sam Deetz at Gay Education Day, also known as Gay Lobby Day, organized by the PA Rural Gay Caucus and in Harrisburg, PA during March 1976. Photo taken by Bari Weaver.
Collection: LGBT-011 - Deetz
Topics:
Organizations: PA Rural Gay Caucus
View Item:
Date: March 4, 1977
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minnutes for the Steering Committee meeting of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities. Minutes include:
- Committee Reports
- Committee Organization
- Press Kit
- White House meeting
- General Updates
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, National Gay Task Force (NGTF)
View Item: Steering Committee Meeting Minutes - March 4, 1977
Date: June 25, 1976
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minuntes from the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities. Minutes include:
- Policy regarding multiple committee membership
- Annual Organization of Council
- Additional Committee Members
- A council vacancy
- Public Information and Education
- Letters on Council Stationary
- Spokesperson for the Council
- Reports on Committee
- Upcoming meetings
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Steering Committee Meeting Minutes - June 25, 1976
Date: May 7, 1976
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the State Employment Subcommittee of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities. Minutes include:
- Managament Procedures for Affirmative Action
- Should the State Employment Committee seek to become an in-house committee of the office of administration?
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: State Employment Committee Meeting Minutes - May 7, 1976
Date: circa 1978
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Brochure advertising the Speaker's Bureau, a program created by the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities as a way to spread education about LGBTQ+ issues.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Speaker's Bureau
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Speakers Bureau Brochure - circa 1978
Date: March 1977
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
The first Annual Report of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, describing the major activities and accomplishments of the council in the 1976 year.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Report of Pennsylvania Council for Sexual Minorities - March 1977
Date: 1978
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Handmade poster created to advertise Pride '78, the yearly Gay Conference held in Pennsylvania.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Pride '78 Handmade Poster - 1978
Date: circa 1977
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Press release announcing the establishment of the Gay Youth Committee headed by Janet Cooper.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Press Release - circa 1977
Date: April 23, 1980
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Draft report of ''Past Progress, Future Plans" for Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities subcommittes: Aging, Corrections, Drug and Alcohol, Education, Employment, Health, Insurance, Justice, Licensing, Public Welfare, Speaker's Bureau, State Police, and Third World Concerns; and general accomplishments of the council as a whole.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities ''Past Progress, Future Plans'' Draft - April 23, 1980
Date: circa 1978
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Notes from a presentation of Gay Alcoholism presented by James Huggins to the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Alcoholism
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Notes on Alcoholism - circa 1978
Date: undated
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Unidentified minutes from a meeting.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Transgender Education, Sodomy Laws
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Unidentified Minutes, page 3 - undated
Date: September 8, 1980
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the September 8, 1980 meeting. Minutes include:
- Report from Welfare Subcommittee
- Health Report
- Foster Care Report
- Corrections Report
- ACLU/Governor's Council Booklet
- Philadelphia Meeting Report
- Pride '80
- Public Welfare Priority List
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - September 8, 1980
Date: June 3, 1980
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the June 3, 1980 meeting. Minutes include:
- Update on the Department of Welfare
- Report of the Drug and Alcohol committe
- Update on Complaint Desk
- General Annoucements
- Sodomy Reform
- Future Plans
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Sodomy Laws
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - June 3, 1980
Date: December 7, 1979
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the December 7, 1979 meeting. Minutes include:
- Allegheny Sodomy Case
- Affirmative Action Policy
- Prison Project update, specifically on LGBTQ+ Prisoner Sexual Assault
- Rascim;
- Copy of Affirmative Action Program Executive Order
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Sodomy Laws, Prison Project, Racism, Affirmative Action Plans
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - December 7, 1979
Date: October 20, 1979
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the October 20, 1979 meeting. Minutes include:
- Update on the ALleghany Voluntary Deviate Intercourse Case
- Department of Welfare Update
- Department of Aging
- General Annoucements
- "Racism, Sexism, and Homophobia" written presentation
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Sodomy Laws
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - October 20, 1979
Date: September 10, 1979
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
- Update on the Voluntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse Statute
- Update on Aging and Speaker's Bureau
- Update on Alcoholism
- Department of Welfare (DPW) Proposed Task Force
- Pride '79
- General Announcements
- Update on Workgroups
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Sodomy Laws
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - September 10, 1979
![Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - July [7], 1979](/sites/default/files/styles/artifacts_browse/public/image_lgbt/GCOSM_Minutes-1979-07-%5B07%5D.jpg?itok=kvir4btk "Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - July [7], 1979")
Date: July [7], 1979
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the July [7], 1979 meeting. Minutes include:
- Schedule for the 1979-80 Council Meetings
- Proclamation of Gay Pride Week by Governor Thornburgh
- Pride '79 Conference
- Alcoholism Update
- Report on Aging
- General Announcements
- Notes updates from smaller committees in the Council
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - July [7], 1979
Date: April 27, 1979
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the April 17, 1979 meeting. Minutes include
- Update on attendance policy
- Status of the Council
- Update on Alcoholism
- Update on Advisory Council presentation to the US Civil Rights Commission
- Update on conference on LGBTQ+ Prisoner Sexual Assault
- Pride '79 planning
- Update on Speaker's Bureau
- Council Membership
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Speaker's Bureau, Prison Project
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, US Civil Rights Commission
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - April 27, 1979
Date: March 9, 1979
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes for the March 8, 1979 meeting. Minutes include:
- Update on Media Coverage
- Information from the Governor's Office
- White House Conference of the Family participation
- General Announcements
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, National Gay Task Force (NGTF)
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - March 8, 1979
Date: January 31, 1979
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the January 31, 1979 meeting. Minutes include:
- Council Direction over the next four years
- Announcements
- Update on the Commonwealth Student Association
- Update on Media outlets to support the council
- Update on Alcoholism
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, Commonwealth Student Association
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - January 31, 1979
Date: December 15, 1978
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes for the December 15, 1978 meeting. Minutes include:
- Update on Prison Project, specifically on LGBTQ+ prisoner sexual assault
- Update on Advisory Board meeting where Tony Silvestre will present LGBTQ+ issues
- Committee on Alcoholism report
- Health Committee Report
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Prison Project
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, US Commission on Civil Rights
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - December 15, 1978
Date: July 11, 1978
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the July 11, 1978 meeting. Minutes include:
- Committee Reports
- Update on the Executive Order update
- Membership update
- Human Relations Commission meeting
- Licensing Boards
- General Announcements
- A presentation on Alcoholism
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Speaker's Bureau, Prison Project
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, Humans Relations Commission
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - July 11, 1978
Date: May 24, 1978
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.
Minutes from the May 24, 1978 meeting. Minutes include:
- Update on the ''complaint desk''
- Update on the PA Nurses Association and Liquor Retail Clerks unions
- Update on the Prison Project, specifically on LGBTQ+ Prisoner Sexual Assault
- Update on the Speaker's Bureau
- Update on the group called ''Young Democrats''
- New Projects
- Update on the Executive Order made my Shapp
- State Police Committee Report
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Prison Project, Speaker's Bureau
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - May 24, 1978