Member ready to spike during first volleyball game at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic - August 22, 1976

Date
August 22, 1976

This is a photo from the first all-women's volleyball game at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic on August 22, 1976. In this photo, a member in a yellow shirt is ready to spike the volleyball. This picture is found on page 10 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Member jumping in the air during first volleyball game at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic – August 22, 1976

Date
August 22, 1976

This is a photo from the first all-women's volleyball game at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic on August 22, 1976. In this photo, a member in a yellow shirt is jumping in the air trying to catch the volleyball. This picture is found on page 10 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Mauri and Paul at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic – August 22, 1976

Date
August 22, 1976

This is a photo of Mauri and Paul at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic on August 22, 1976. This picture is found on page 9 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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John B. at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic – August 22, 1976

Date
August 22, 1976

This is a photo of John B. at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic on August 22, 1976. This picture is found on page 9 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Steven Leshner and Richard Hause at event in Washington, D.C. – circa 1990

Date
1990

This is a photo of Steven Leshner (left) and Richard Hause (right) at an event in Washington, D.C. around 1990. Two copies of this picture are found on pages 7 and 39 of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Steven Leshner and two unknown men at event – circa 1995

Date
1995

This is a photo of Steven Leshner (left) and two unknown men at an event around 1995. This picture is found on page 7 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Aaron Spicher and Ted [Hogonvesher] at Philadelphia Gay Pride – 1976

Date
1976

This is a photo of Aaron Spicher and Ted Hogonvesher at Philadelphia Gay Pride in 1976. This picture is found on page 4 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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PA Rural Gay Caucus group at Philadelphia Gay Pride - 1976

Date
1976

This is a photo of PA Rural Gay Caucus members at the Philadelphia Gay Pride in 1976. Members include Aaron Spicher (with the Dignity Banner), Joe Burns, Richard Hoffman (with GCS Berks Banner), Sam Deetz (turned away from the camera) and Jerry Brennan. This picture is found on page 5 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Group of Members with red cooler at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic - August 1982

Date
August 1982

Picture of group of members at Dignity/Central PA Picnic in 1982. This picture is found on page 16 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA's is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Group of Members in lawn chairs at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic - August 1982

Date
August 1982

Picture of group of members at Dignity/Central PA Picnic in 1982. This picture is found on page 16 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA's is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Ms. Kathy Sullivan at the Dignity/Central PA Picnic – August 22, 1976

Date
August 22, 1976

Photo of Ms. Kathy Sullivan from the 1976 Dignity/Central PA Picnic. This picture can be found on page 9 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA's is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Aaron Spicher at the Philadelphia Gay Pride – 1976

Date
1976

Picture of Dignity/Central PA member Aaron Spicher at the Philadelphia Gay Pride in 1976. This picture can be found on page 4 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA's is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook - circa 1970 to circa 2000

Number of Pages
47
Date
circa 1970 to circa 2000

Dignity/Central PA's is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry.

This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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PA Rural Gay Caucus at Philadelphia Gay Pride Parade, photo 2 - 1976

Date
1976

Photograph of members of PA Rural Gay Caucus with their banner at the 1976 Philadelphia Gay Pride Parade. Identified members from left to right: Aaron Spicher (with the Dignity Banner), Joe Burns, Richard Hoffman (with GCS Berks Banner), Sam Deetz (turned away from the camera) and Jerry Brennan. Photo by Bari Weaver.

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Year
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Gift from Steven Leshner
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LGBT-029 Steven Leshner Collection

Reverend Wallace E. Sawdy of Dignity/Central PA - circa 1985

Date
circa 1985

The Reverend Wallace E. Sawdy preparing to offer mass for members of Dignity/Central PA at the Society of Friends Meeting House in Harrisburg, PA.

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Year
Time Period
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Origin
Gift by Steven Leshner
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LGBT-029 Steven Leshner Collection

Members of Dignity/Central PA with Speaker Quentin Crisp at 10th Anniversary Celebration - 1985

Date
1985

Members of Dignity/Central PA gathering in 1985 at the organization's 10th anniversary celebration, with invited speaker and entertainer Quentin Crisp. Left to right: Jerry Brennan (founder); Richard Hause; Quentin Crisp;William Clifford.

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Gift of Steven Leshner
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LGBT-029 Steven Leshner Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-015 John R. Barns Collection

Number of Pages
9
Date
1946, 1970 - 2017

John Barns was born in Perry County, PA. He graduated from Greenwood High School in 1960 and then joined the Pennsylvania National Guard during the Vietnam War, where he was in the armored tank division. After discharging from the military, Barns worked for the State in the Department of Labor and Industry and The Department of Health. He was a state employee for 30 years. Barns was a member of Dignity/Central PA, a Roman Catholic based organization that was a place for LGBTQ+ community members of any religious background to be together in community; and a part of the Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg, a telephone service that gave information, referrals, and supportive counseling to members of the local LGBTQ+ community.

This collection contains 6 series: Newspaper and Magazine Clippings; Dignity/Central PA; Cards and Postcards; Montreal, Quebec, Canada LGBTQ+ Information; Miscellaneous; and Artifacts.

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Year
Origin
Gift of John R. Barns
Collection
Location
LGBT-015 John R. Barns Collection

Dignity Pin - 1985

Date
1985

Pin with Dignity/Central PA's logo. Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry.

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General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of John Barns
Collection
Location
LGBT-015 John Barns Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-061 Colin Kreitzer Collection

Number of Pages
3
Date
1979, 1980 - 2009

Colin Kreitzer was born in 1947 in Enola, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Wormleysburg, PA with his parents and his younger sister. He attended West Chester College (now West Chester University) and moved to Harrisburg in 1977, where he began getting involved in the gay community through activism and social activities. Kreitzer was involved in the Gay and Switchboard of Harrisburg (GSH), later known as the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of Harrisburg (GLSH), Dignity/Central PA, Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of the Spirit, and volleyball.

Year
Origin
Gift of Colin Kreitzer
Collection
Location
LGBT-061 Colin Kreitzer Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-036 Lawrence Valerio Collection

Number of Pages
2
Date
1980 - 1994

These materials contain artwork designed by Lawrence Valerio for LGBT events and organizations in Central PA, including Dignity of Central PA, a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry; the Open Air Festival, which was a precursor to what is known today as Central PA PrideFest; and the South Central AIDS Assistance Network (SCAAN) Caring a la Carte fundraiser, which was a local dinner held to raise funds to support the work of SCAAN and it’s support of the local HIV/AIDs positive community.

Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Lawrence Valerio
Collection
Location
LGBT-036 Lawrence Valerio Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-053 Richard Hause Collection

Number of Pages
2
Date
1980 - 1986

Richard H. Hause was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on May 21, 1947, and moved to Harrisburg after he graduated from high school in 1965. After coming out to his family when he was eighteen, Richard began working for the State Government in the Department of Highways. He was an active member in the Dignity Chapter of Central Pennsylvania, which was one of the first LGBT organizations started in the area. Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry.

Organizations
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Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Richard Hause
Collection
Location
LGBT-053 Richard Hause Collection

LGBT Oral History 063B: Steven Leshner

Number of Pages
23
Date
January 19, 2017

This is an interview with Steven Leshner of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He conveys his struggles of coming out in the 1970s and being a gay man in central PA through a series of anecdotes. Steven also talks extensively about his work at Dignity and his relationship with Jerry Brennan. While Steven was not active in S.C.A.A.N. (South Central Aids Assistance Network), he was involved in a group that later became S.C.A.A.N. Also of note, Steven talks about his first time with a man, life as a male nurse in the 1970s and 80s, growing up Jewish, Jerry Brennan’s death, attending Pride festivals in NYC, and being a single gay man in Harrisburg.

Organizations
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Steven Leshner
Collection
Location
LGBT Oral History - Leshner, Steven - 063B

LGBT Oral History 070: Barry Loveland

Number of Pages
21
Date
March 22, 2014

Barry Loveland was born December 28th, 1956 in Schenectady, New York. After graduating from high school, Barry attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Architecture and Building Sciences. Following his undergraduate career, Barry got accepted at Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a Masters in Historic Preservation Planning and became very active in the LGBT community. Since his participation, Barry has been an integral member of this community. From developing Montgomery, Alabama’s first gay organization to the creation of Common Roads, Barry has demonstrated his drive and his passion for the success and the advancement of the LGBT community. In this interview, Barry discusses in great length the numerous activist roles that he has possessed in his lifetime as well as the opportunities resulting from his selfless work. Also in this interview, Barry reveals the details of his own personal lifelong journey of coming out and what support systems he uncovered along the way as he formulated his own identity.

Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Barry Loveland
Collection
Location
LGBT Oral History - Loveland, Barry - 070

LGBT Oral History 042: Edmund ''Ed'' Good and Thurman Grossnickle

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Number of Pages
52
Date
March 28, 2013

For the very first interview of the history project, Edmund Good and Thurman Grossnickle describe their coming out stories. Thurman is a retired Scientist Administrator and has spent many years in academia and in health professions, as well as in LGBT organizations. He considers himself Brethren, although he no longer attends church, though a large part of his coming out process involved the organization, Dignity, which was primarily run by the late Father Saude (ph.). Upon discovering his sexuality, Thurman spent a considerable amount of his time dedicated to the LGBT community of Harrisburg, operating the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard, attending and hosting Dignity events, and serving as editor of the Dignity newsletter. Thurman discusses his involvement, his experiences living in Central PA, and his decision to never divorce his wife. Edmund is a retired apartment manager, though he is still involved in the Brethren Housing organization, which finds places for mothers going from welfare to work. Edmund explains that though he was always kind of aware of his sexuality, he hadn’t really come out before attending college. At Penn State, he was involved in several LGBT outlets, including the student organization HOPS (Homosexuals of Penn State), which was supported and funded by Penn State. Edmund, too, alludes to the friendly climate, which he’s experienced during his life as a gay man in Central PA. In the second half of their interview, Ed and Thurman tackle some deeper issues. Ed discusses how his work and family life didn’t change too much overall, but there were some bumps. At first, his parents didn’t understand what it meant to be gay, creating an estrangement. But with the introduction of Thurman into the picture, they had a change of heart. Ed and Thurman discuss other difficulties they’ve endured in 33 years as a couple. Despite being made coal on the carpet, a church backed them up and defied their national organization, making it a known safe space for LGBT couples. On a less happy note, they discuss a community’s reaction to Thurman’s friendship with a gay teenage boy. As Ed and Thurman reflect on the past events they’ve encountered, they note where we’ve come from and where we still need to go. Ed mentions several websites, webinars, and workshops that helped him as a gay man, but could also help others to understand and love thy neighbor.

Topics
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Edmund ''Ed'' Good and Thurman Grossnickle
Collection
Location
LGBT Oral History - Good, Edmund ''Ed'' and Thurman Grossnickle - 042

LGBT History Project: LGBT-014 Barry Loveland Collection

Number of Pages
8
Date
1978 - 2012

The bulk of the collection consists of buttons, ribbons, and t-shirts from LGBT events. It also contains documentation of the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of Harrisburg and Dignity of Central PA. Several of the items in this collection relate the story of Dan Miller, a Central PA accountant who was fired for being gay in 1990. This collection also contains program materials from the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, as well as Hershey, PA and NYC play performances. In addition, this collection includes items relevant to noteworthy LGBT Pennsylvanians. These items include an autographed photograph of Nancy Jane Kulp (born in Harrisburg, PA) who played Jane Hathaway on the television series Beverly Hillbillies; a photograph, publicity material, and an LP record album of T. C. Jones (born in Scranton, PA), well-known female impersonator; and an engraving of Bayard Taylor (born in Kennett Square, PA), who wrote Joseph and His Friend (1870), believed to be the first U.S. gay novel.

Topics
People
Year
Origin
Gift of Barry Loveland
Collection
Location
LGBT-014 Barry Loveland Collection