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: April 12, 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 April 12, 1978 meeting. Minutes include:
- The future direction of projects undertaken by the council
- General annoucements
- Update on the Speaker's Bureau
- Health Committe Report
- Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) update
- Employment and Education Committees Reports
- Pride 78 update
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - April 12, 1978
Date: January 19, 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 January 19, 1978 meeting. Minutes include:
- Report on the Prison Project
- Membership
- Public Information
- The council's policy on Transsexuality
- Reports form various committees
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Prison Project
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - January 19, 1978
Date: May 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.
Minutes for the May 4, 1977 meeting. Minutes include:
- summary of presentation by Don Borbe on ''Inclusive Ministiries - Disabled Gays, Alcoholic Gays, and Older Gays"
- annoucements
- Employment Committe Report
- Lesgilations Committee Report
- Summary of Reorganization of Committees
- Attendence policy
- updates on specific members
- future progroms discussion
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: PA Senate Bill 83, PA Senate Bill 531
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, MCC Philadelphia, Coalition of Human Rights
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - May 4, 1977
Date: March 28, 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.
Minutes for the March 28, 1977 meeting. Minutes include:
- announcements
- reports from the chair
- employement committe report
- legislative update
- internaitonal women's year
- update on committees within the council
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: PA Senate Bill 83, PA Senate Bill 531
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - March 28, 1977
Date: February 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.
Meeting minutes from the February 4, 1977 meeting. Minutes include:
- Chairperson's report
- Legislation report
- a list of reccomendations for the council over the 1977 year
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: PA Senate Bill 83
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Minutes - February 4, 1977
Date: September 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.
Memo announcing the next Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities meeting.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Memo - September 1977
Date: April 18, 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.
Memo announcing council member Harry Langhorne planning to preform a public poll on discrimination againts gays and asking the council to sponsor fund raising actions.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Sodomy Laws
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Memo - April 18, 1977
Date: March 9, 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.
Memo from Tony Silvestres updating council members on new member appointments and a tentative meeting schedule for 1977 and 1978.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Memo - March 9, 1977
Date: January 1, 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.
Memo announcing resumes being accepted for the State Coordinator position for the 1977 program to repeal Criminal Law No. 3124, the consensual sodomy statute.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Sodomy Laws
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Memo - January 1, 1977
Date: September 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.
This letter discusses the possibility raising fund for the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Letter to Robert Raines, Esquire Justice Department, from ''Tom'' - September 7, 1976
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.
Letter from Tony Slivestre to noting the abscense of the Community Relations Committee and the commitment to reorganize it in the near future.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Letter from Anthony ''Tony'' Silvestre - circa 1977
Date: November 11, 1975
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.
Letter from Sam Deetz, a member of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities and foudning memeber of Susquehanna Valley Gays United (SVGU), to SVGU informing them of the activies of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minotiries.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, Governor's Gay Task Force, Susquehanna Valley Gays United (SVGU), PA Rural Gay Caucus
View Item: Letter to Susquehanna Valley Gays United (SVGU) from Sam Deetz - November 11, 1975
Date: March 9, 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.
This is a draft of the ''Highlights of the Year'' section from the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Annual Report.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities ''Highlights of the Year'' Draft - March 9, 1977
Date: circa 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.
This document lists projects for the DPW [Department of Public Welfare] Task Force of the Governor's Council of Sexual Minorities and the priority of each.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: DPW Task Force Projects Draft - circa 1979
Date: May 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.
This report covers the activities of the Correction Subcommittee of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities from September 1975 to May 1976, and includes goals for the coming year.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Corrections Subcommittee Report - May 1976
Date: August 12, 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.
This newsletter serves as an update on the Corrections Subcommittee of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Corrections Subcommittee Newsletter - August 12, 1976
Date: June 1, 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.
This newsletter serves as an update on the Corrections Subcommittee of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Corrections Subcommittee Newsletter - June 1, 1976
Date: March 9, 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.
Meeting Minutes from the Corrections Subcommittee of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Corrections Subcommittee Meeting Minutes - March 9, 1976
![Community [Affairs] Committee Goals - June 2, 1976](/sites/default/files/styles/artifacts_browse/public/image_lgbt/GCOSM_Community-Committee-Goals-1976-06-02.jpg?itok=xt1YQPCT "Community [Affairs] Committee Goals - June 2, 1976")
Date: June 2, 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.
This document is a draft of general, immediate, and long range goals of the Community [Affairs] Committee of the Governor's Council of Sexual Minorities.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Community [Affairs] Committee Goals - June 2, 1976
Date: September 17, 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.
This document was created by the Community Affairs Committee of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities to provide a procedure for handling complaints of discrimination of sexual minorities and examples of the Complaint Recording forms.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Community Affairs Committee Community Proposal - September 17, 1977
Date: April 19, 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.
This bulletin was created by Tony Silvestre to update Council and Committee members every few weeks on Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities actions.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: PA Senate Bill 83
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, PA Rural Gay Caucus
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Bulletin - April 19, 1977
Date: July 7, 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.
This was the agenda and minutes for the July 7, 1980 meeting. The meeting included:
- update on the ruling of the PA Sodomy Law being unconstitutional
- update on the progress on issues facing sexual minority populations and others in prison
- a presentation on Sexual Harassment and the film "Under His Thumb"
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Sexual Harassment, Sodomy Laws
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Agenda and Minutes - July 7, 1980
Date: October 31, 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.
This was the agenda and minutes for the October 31, 1978 meeting. The meeting included:
- announcements
- the revision of the executive order that established the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
- an update on the Alcoholism Committee
- a copy of the revision of Governor Shapp's Executive order
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics:
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, The Civil Rights Commission
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Agenda and Minutes - October 31, 1978
Date: September 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.
This was the agenda and minutes for a September 1978 meeting. The meeting included:
- announcements
- an update on the Gay State-wide Support Network
- updates on Affirmative Action training
- training in the State Police Academy on sexual minorities issues
- disucssion about the Prison Rape Project
- discussion on how the council can support education on Gay Alcoholism
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Affirmative Action Plans
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, PA Rural Gay Caucus
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Agenda and Minutes - September 1978
Date: May 27, 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.
This was the agenda and minutes from the May 27, 1976 meeting. The opening of the meeting contained a program on Transsexuality, and was followed by Committee Reports and discussion.
Collection: LGBT-001 - Burns
Topics: Transgender Education, Hill's Bill
Organizations: PA Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities
View Item: Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities Meeting Agenda and Minutes - May 27, 1976