LGBT History Project: LGBT-113 Don Haines Collection

Don Haines was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he lived until the age of 12. He then moved to the suburbs of Lancaster, remaining in Lancaster County. Still within Lancaster County, Haines later moved to Columbia, Pennsylvania with his partner. Haines came out at the age of 23 in 1987, a time he described as a “very oppressive” time. Haines was raised Roman Catholic but struggled with the church’s lack of acceptance, operating outside of the church until Pope Francis took charge. Haines graduated from Millersville University where he was a part of a gay and lesbian group. He worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, encouraged by Governor Schapp’s acceptance of gay people and the protection of a union.