LGBT History Project

Date: March 19, circa 2000

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "Ladies of Illusion" Poster - March 19, circa 2000

Date: circa 2000

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "Karaoke with Extreme Entertainment" Poster - circa 2000

Date: February 27, 2016

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "Karaoke with DJ Storm" Poster - February 27, 2016

Date: October 26, 2002

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "Haunting Halloween" Poster - October 26, 2002

Date: October 30, circa 2000

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "Haunting Halloween" Poster - October 30, circa 2000

Date: August 25, 1995

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "A ‘FUN’draiser for AIDS and Breast Cancer" Poster - August 25, 1995

Date: July 12, circa 2000

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch “The Fourth Annual Entertainment Benefit” Posters - July 12, circa 2000

Date: undated

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch Country Night Poster - undated

Date: August 23, 1997

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch “Come and Try It: The Susquehanna Squares” Poster - August 23, 1997

Date: December 19 - 31, 1997

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch Christmas Celebration - December 19 - 31, 1997

Date: undated

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch Ticket - undated

Date: circa 2000

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "Bear and Leather Night" Posters - circa 2000

Date: April 27, 1991

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "Performer Application for Aphrodisiactic April Acts of Kindness [AAOK] Act IV" Poster - April 27, 1991

Date: April 27, 1991

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "Aphrodisiactic April Acts of Kindness [AAOK] Show: Act IV" Poster: Part 2 - April 27, 1991

Date: April 27, 1991

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "Aphrodisiactic April Acts of Kindness [AAOK] Show: Act IV" Poster: Part 1 - April 27, 1991

Date: October 31, [1991]

Altland’s Ranch was the first official LGBTQ+ bar in the York area, and was the longest running LGBTQ+ bar in the county. It was known for hosting drag balls, discos, and particularly Halloween parties. Altland’s Ranch closed in 2016.

Collection: LGBT-084 - Altland's Ranch

Topics:

Organizations:

View Item: Altland's Ranch "25th Halloween Celebration" Poster - October 31, [1991]

Date: February 1976

Founded in December of 1974, the Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading, PA (GCS Berks) was a LGBTQ+ activist organization in the Berks County area and a fundamental part of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus.

Announcement of the Gay Neighbor Program created by GCS Berks to be of service for members of the LGBTQ+ community. They did emphasis that this program was not a dating service. 

Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns

Topics:

Organizations: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks)

View Item: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Gay Neighbors Announcement - February 1976

Date: circa 1976

Founded in December of 1974, the Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading, PA (GCS Berks) was a LGBTQ+ activist organization in the Berks County area and a fundamental part of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus. 

Memo announcing the formation of the Speakers Bureau, a group created by GCS Berks to provide speakers for educational purposes when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues. 

Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns

Topics:

Organizations: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks)

View Item: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Speakers Bureau Memo - circa 1976

Date: circa 1974

Founded in December of 1974, the Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading, PA (GCS Berks) was a LGBTQ+ activist organization in the Berks County area and a fundamental part of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus. 

This is a flyer created by GCS Berks to explain "mutal interest groups" and how they can be helpful for getting members of the LGBTQ+ community invovled in special interest groups. 

Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns

Topics:

Organizations: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks)

View Item: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Mutual Interest Groups Flyer - circa 1974

Date: June 1977

Flyer created by the Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) giving information to protest Anita Bryant by writing to the Florida Citrus Commission saying that LGBT community will not buy Florida Oragne Juice if they keeps supporting Bryant.

Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns

Topics:

Organizations: Florida Citrus Commission, Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks)

View Item: Anita Bryant Boycott Flyer - June 1977

Date: December [1975]

Founded in December of 1974, the Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading, PA (GCS Berks) was a LGBTQ+ activist organization in the Berks County area and a fundamental part of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus. The newsletter was a way to inform members and community members about LGBTQ+ issues. 

Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns

Topics: Human Rights Law

Organizations: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks), PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities

View Item: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Newsletter - December [1975]

Date: 1976

Founded in December of 1974, the Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading, PA (GCS Berks) was a LGBTQ+ activist organization in the Berks County area and a fundamental part of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus. The newsletter was a way to inform members and community members about LGBTQ+ issues.

Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns

Topics:

Organizations: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks), PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities

View Item: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) - July 1976

Date: June 1976

Founded in December of 1974, the Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading, PA (GCS Berks) was a LGBTQ+ activist organization in the Berks County area and a fundamental part of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus. The newsletter was a way to inform members and community members about LGBTQ+ issues.

Notable information in this issue includes:

• New York City and Philadelphia Pride Parades
• Local committees formed by the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
• Purpose and structure of the PA Rural Gay Caucus
• Local participation in Equal Rights Amendment Rally
• The opening of an alternative bookstore in Reading, PA
• The GCS Berks Speakers Bureau

Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns

Topics: Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Organizations: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks), PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, PA Rural Gay Caucus

View Item: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) - June 1976

Date: April 1976

Founded in December of 1974, the Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading, PA (GCS Berks) was a LGBTQ+ activist organization in the Berks County area and a fundamental part of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus. The newsletter was a way to inform members and community members about LGBTQ+ issues. This issue has a page dedicated to Gay Lobby Day 1976. 

Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns

Topics: PA Senate Bill 743

Organizations: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks)

View Item: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Newsletter - April 1976

Date: February 1976

Founded in December of 1974, the Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading, PA (GCS Berks) was a LGBTQ+ activist organization in the Berks County area and a fundamental part of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus. The newsletter was a way to inform members and community members about LGBTQ+ issues. 

Noteworthy news in this issue include:

• Heart and Lambda patches available for sale from GCS Berks members
• State Senate Bill 743 which would permit discrimination in employment
• Creation of a GCS Berks Political Action Committee

Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns

Topics: PA Senate Bill 743

Organizations: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks)

View Item: Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Newsletter - February 1976