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

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.

Joseph W. Burns started to donate these materials in 2013 as the first contribution of historical documents to the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project. These materials reflect his involvement in, and document, LGBTQ+ activism in Central PA.

This collection contains materials from 1968 – 2015, but the bulk of the materials focus on LGBTQ+ activism from 1970 – 1980. There are 14 Series which highlight LGBTQ+ activist organizations, legislation, publications, photographs, personal/miscellaneous items, media, and artifacts, as well as Subject Files regarding people, organizations, or issues related to LGBTQ+ activism. Materials include documents, photos, a cassette tape, and multiple artifacts.

Statement proposed by Joseph W. Burns in representation of the PA Rural Gay Caucus against the PA House of Representatives for rejecting Governor Shapp's Proclamation of Gay Pride Week, June 12 -19, 1976.

The Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus was “an association of interested individuals and groups, formed with the objective of promulgating the concerns and freedoms of gay people and all sexual minorities.”

In these minutes general information is shared, and includes reports from the Treasurer, Communications Committee, and Education Committee. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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

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. 

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

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 Gay Liberation Stamp was designed by Jerry Yoder, member of GCS Berks.  

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 in this issue:

• GCS Berks Art Alliance establishes National Gay Art Alliance and plans National Gay Art Show (p. 7)

Registration and schedule for the Bicentennial Conference on Gays and the Federal Government Conference in Washington D.C. on October 10-14, 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.

The Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus was “an association of interested individuals and groups, formed with the objective of promulgating the concerns and freedoms of gay people and all sexual minorities.” 

In these minutes, the Rural Gay Caucus announces two upcoming events, the appearance of Dr. Frank Kameny, a gay activist, and a hay-ride coordinated by GCS Berks. The minutes also announce the location of the next meeting for both the general caucus and the communication committee.

The Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus was “an association of interested individuals and groups, formed with the objective of promulgating the concerns and freedoms of gay people and all sexual minorities.” The report was used as outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ+ community. In this report, the Caucus mentions the location of the February meeting and provides the meeting minites from the previous January meeting.

Meeting minutes of note are: 

• Deputy State Attorney General addressed the Caucus and discussed the "Sodomy Repeal Bill," as well as the concern about PA Senate Bill 83, which would bar gay or lesbian individuals from certain employment positions
• Report on the Lebanon High School student who committed sucide and how the Caucus Education Committee was to proceed with outreach and support
• Report on the Telephone Tree that was established 
• Discussion of the status of other organizations that are part of the Rural Gay Caucus

The Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus was “an association of interested individuals and groups, formed with the objective of promulgating the concerns and freedoms of gay people and all sexual minorities.” The newsletter was used as outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community. Highlights of this report include:

• Plans for Gay Lobby Day
• Dyketactics group protests film "The Snuff"
• Efforts to pass Human Relations Act in Reading, PA

The Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus is an association of interested individuals and groups, formed with the objective of promulgating the concerns and freedoms of gay people and all sexual minorities. The report/newsletter was used as outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community. In this report, the PA Rural Gay Caucus discusses meeting minutes from the January meeting, Gay Lobby Day, and the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade (New York Pride Parade), for which the Pa Rural Gay Caucus called for participation. 

The Gay Era was a newspaper that reported news of interest from around the United States, with a specific focus on the news surrounding the gay community in Central PA, and provided a central forum for gay communities that were spread out across Central PA. Noteworthy news in this issues:

• "Bryant in Reading" (p. 1)
• "Bryant Appears in Reading" (p. 2)
• "Minister Advocates Rizzo Tactics in Lancaster" (p. 2)
• "Bomb Threat in State College" (p. 5)
• "Open Letter from the Political Caucus of HOPS" (p. 8)
• "Blooomsburg Gay Group" (p. 18)
• "Rural Resources" (p. 24)

The Gay Era was a newspaper that reported news of interest from around the United States, with a specific focus on the news surrounding the gay community in Central PA, and provided a central forum for gay communities that were spread out across Central PA. This is an anniversary issue. Noteworthy news in this issue includes:

• "State Hiring Regulations" (p.3)
• "Dyke Cooper" (p. 5)
• Rural Caucus Report (p. 7)
• "Shapp and Shrinks" (p. 9)
• "Reading (PA) Items" (p. 9) 
• "Council on Sexual Minorities" (p. 10)
• "Lebanon Items [Gay League of Lebanon]" (p. 11)
• "Pennsylvania Gays - It's Time" (p. 12)

The Gay Era was a newspaper that reported news of interest from around the United States, with a specific focus on the news surrounding the gay community in Central PA, and provided a central forum for gay communities that were spread out across Central PA. Notable news in this issues:

• "Wheatland Zapped" (p. 4)
• "Rural Caucus Report" (p. 5)
• "State College [PA]" (p. 5)
• "Reading [PA]" (p. 5)
• "A Personal Expression of Gay Oppression from Lancaster, PA" (p. 12)
• "Northumberland [PA]" (p. 13)

The Gay Era was a newspaper that reported news of interest from around the United States, with a specific focus on the news surrounding the gay community in Central PA, and provided a central forum for gay communities that were spread out across Central PA. Notable news in this issues:

• Gay Health Column (p.5)
• After a Year of Activism (p.6)
• Rural Caucus Meeting (p.7)
• Philadelphia Bill Defeated (p.7)
• Phila. Gay News Begins Publishing (p.7)
• GUL Holds Election of Officers (p.8)
• GUL Co-Sponsors Phila. Conference (p.8)
• Date Set For Gay Lobby Day (p.8)
• Dyke Cooper Comes to Town (p.9)
• Of Interest to Gay Women (W.O.W.) (p.9)
• Plant-Nite at Marietta Avenue (p.19)
• State Police Investigating Blackmail Racket (p.20)
• New Peer Counseling Program Begins (p.20)
• Constructing Gay Pride or Bari's Five Steps to Sainthood (p.23)