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: 1961-2015
Sam Edmiston was born on July 17, 1945 in Middleburg, PA. In the April of 1963, Edmiston enrolled in the US Navy, and three weeks after his graduation, went to the Keel United States Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois for recruitment training. While in the US Navy, Edmiston was a dispersing clerk until he was dishonorably discharged for being gay in 1966. Edmiston fought to change the discharge, and his papers were later changed to a “general discharge under general conditions.”
After coming home from the Navy, Edmiston worked various jobs until he retired from working for seven years for personal health reasons. After the seven years, Edmiston found a job with the Social Security Administration through Administrative Careers of America. He went on to work for the Social Security Administration for the next 10 years until he finally retired permanently.
Throughout and after college Edmiston was active in the pursuit of gay rights. He started the Susquehanna Valley Gays United in 1976 with friend Sam Deetz, was the secretary for the PA Rural Gay Caucus, contributed to the Lancaster Gay Era Newspaper, and was part of Dignity/Central PA.
Collection: LGBT-041 - Edmiston
Topics:
Organizations: Dignity/Central PA, Susquehanna Valley Gays United (SVGU)
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-041 Sam Edmiston Collection
Date: 1991-1995
Joy (Ufema) Counsel was raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania. After completing high school, (Ufema) Counsel began studying to become a nurse at the Altoona Hospital, and later completed a nursing program at Harrisburg Area Community College. Throughout her career as a nurse, (Ufema) Counsel developed an affinity for caring for patients who were terminally ill.
Searching for direction after facing a roadblock in her career, (Ufema) Counsel decided to use her experience in hospice care to alleviate the suffering she had witnessed in the AIDS crisis. After proposing the idea to the mayor of York, PA, (Ufema) Counsel bought an old brownstone for one dollar and began renovations. In 1991, York Hospice House was born. Counsel used her expertise in death and dying to design the home based on a philosophy of extreme attention to detail. She wanted to create “a tone in this hospice of love and acceptance and peace.” From 1991-1995, the York House provided care to 95 dying AIDS patients.
Collection: LGBT-038 - Ufema Counsel
Topics: HIV/AIDs
Organizations: York Hospice House (York, PA)
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-038 Joy Ufema Counsel Collection
Date: circa 2010
Founded by Andrew Park in 1996 as the Center of Lesbian and Gay rights, Equality Pennsylvania (PA) is an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and legislation throughout the state.
Collection: LGBT-031 - Equality PA
Topics:
Organizations: Equality PA
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-031 Equality PA Collection
Date: 1976-1983
This collection contains monthly newsletters produced by the Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg in 1981, and an assortment of buttons documenting LGBTQ+ events and issues.
Collection: LGBT-030 - Riese
Topics:
Organizations: Dignity/Central PA, Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg (GSH)
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-030 Bob Riese Collection
Date: undated
Twaddle was a member of The Pennsmen, a group of LGBT people with a common interest in the leather/fetish lifestyle, for approximately 12 years. This collection consists of artifacts from his time in The Pennsmen. The artifacts include a Bolo Tie, Belt Buckle, and Pin.
Collection: LGBT-028 - Twaddle
Topics:
Organizations: Pennsmen Inc.
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-029 Richard Twaddle Collection
Date: circa 1995
Sharon Mahar Potter was born in Buffalo, NY and raised in Scranton, PA. She began commuting to Harrisburg, PA for the first time when she was offered a position to build the early intervention system for disabled children in the city. Profoundly moved by a young gay man’s speech in a meeting of the House Education Committee, Sharon helped to establish and served as a leader for the Bi, Gay, Lesbian Youth Association of Harrisburg (Bi-GLYAH).
This collection holds items from Potter’s time as the organizer of Bi-GLYAH. Items include photographs of Bi-GLYAH youths at events and a stuffed Frog created during a Bi-GLYAH fundraising event.
Collection: LGBT-027 - Potter
Topics: LGBT Youth
Organizations: Bi, Gay, Lesbian Youth Association of Harrisburg (Bi-GLYAH)
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-027 Sharon Potter Collection
Date: circa 2000-2005
This collection contains stationary paper and envelopes for two funds and one event with which The Foundation for Enhancing Communities(TFEC) was involved. TFEC is a community foundation that serves the greater Harrisburg, PA area; Dillsburg, PA; Franklin County, PA; Mechanicsburg, PA area, and Perry County, PA.
Collection: LGBT-026 - Foundation for Enhancing Communities
Topics:
Organizations: Foundation for Enhancing Communities
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-026 Foundation for Enhancing Communities Collection
Date: 2000-2014
Shaashawn Dial is as a poet, radio broadcaster, educator, author, and businesswoman. Kown as Shaashawn “The Voyce” Dial, and she released her debut spoken word album, Voycemail, after that nickname. Dial became the program director of 1400 THE TOUCH in 2003, and then in 2006 became the creator/hostess of The Shaashawn Dial Show: A Dial Movement. She was an educattion coordinator and adjunct faculty member, published two books of poetry, and as a businesswoman was a magazine editor, manager, and founder of Voycetress Media, LLC.
Dial has also been active within the LGBTQ+ community of Central PA. She was the Director of Equity and Affirmative Action and the Staff Liaison to the Harrisburg Relations Commission for the city of Harrisburg. She served as the inaugural co-chair of PA Governor Tom Wolf’s Commission on the LGBTQ Affairs. She was also on the Board of Directors of the LGBT Center of Central PA for seven years, during which time she completed a term as president.
Collection: LGBT-025 - Dial
Topics:
Organizations: LGBT Center of Central PA, Central PA Vipers
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-025 Shaashawn Dial Collection
Date: 1983-1996
Bernie Pupo was born in Kulpmont, Pennsylvania in 1945 and attended Mount Carmel Catholic High School. After working in a factory after high school, Bernie moved to Harrisburg, where he joined SCAAN, the South Central Aids Assistance Network, which is now known as the AIDS Alliance.
Collection: LGBT-024 - Pupo
Topics:
Organizations: South Central Aids Assistance Network (SCAAN), Harrisburg Men's Chorus
View Item: LGBT History Project: LGBT-024 Bernie Pupo Collection
Date: December 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations: AIDS Community Alliance
Date: November 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
This issue has an transcription of an interview with Suzanne Westenhoefer.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations: MCC Harrisburg, AIDS Community Alliance
Date: October 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
Date: September 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics: Jim in Bold
Organizations: The Women's Circle
View Item: Lavender Letter (Harrisburg, PA) - September 2003
Date: August 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
This issue has the section “Money Talk” where taking of advantage of market lows is discussed.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations: MCC Vision of Hope
Date: July 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
This issue has a section that discuss domestic violence in LGBT Relationships.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations: MCC Vision of Hope
View Item: Lavender Letter (Harrisburg, PA) - July 2003
Date: June 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
View Item: Lavender Letter (Harrisburg, PA) - June 2003
Date: May 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
This issue has the section “Money Talk” where investing money is discussed.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
View Item: Lavender Letter (Harrisburg, PA) - May 2003
Date: April 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
Date: March 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
Date: February 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
This issue has a section to celebrate Black History Month by remembering Ruth Ellis, and the section “Money Talk” that discusses understanding diversification of money investing.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
Date: January 2003
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
Date: December 2002
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
This issue has the section “Money Talk” where women and retirement is discussed.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
Date: November 2002
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
This issue has the section “LGBT Voter’s Guide” where the 2002 PA Governor’s race is discussed and where the candidates stand on specific issues.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
Date: September 2002
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations:
View Item: Lavender Letter (Harrisburg, PA) - September 2002
Date: August 2002
Created by Lorraine Kujawa, Cindy Mitzel, Mary Nancarrow, and several others in 1983, the Lavender Letter Newsletter was a calendar of events for, by, and about lesbian women to create community in the Central Pennsylvania area. The newsletter was distributed monthly until the mid-2000s.
This issue has the section “Money Talk” where selling stocks is discussed.
Collection: LGBT-009 - Lavender Letter
Topics:
Organizations: