PA Lesbian/Gay Support Network (PALGSN)

This collection documents the earliest known organizational history of the LGBTQ+ community in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley region. The Pennsylvania Lesbian and Gay Support Network (PALGSN) was established in 1978 after the first Pride Conference, and was a state-wide organization which worked for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Materials include newsletters, meeting minutes, press releases, and promotional materials.

The items in this collection are shared through a collaboration between the Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive and the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project. For more information on Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archives, visit https://trexler.muhlenberg.edu/library/specialcollections/collections/#lgbt

Materials include newsletters, meeting minutes, press releases, and promotional materials. View the collection on the Internet Archive.

Joseph W. Burns started to donate these materials in 2013 as the first contribution of historical documents to the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project.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.

Founded in 1968 in California, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) began as a Christian outreach to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. MCC Harrisburg (later renamed MCC of the Spirit) and MCC Lancaster (later renamed MCC Vision of Hope) were two local parishes in the Central PA Area.

The Gayfolio, which after two issues later became The Link, was a gay community newspaper published by MCC Harrsiburg. The main article in this issue is "Election '81 Analysis: Did the gay and lesbian vote affect the outcome?" There is also news about local MCC chapters. 

Founded in 1968 in California, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) began as a Christian outreach to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. MCC Harrisburg (later renamed MCC of the Spirit) and MCC Lancaster (later renamed MCC Vision of Hope) were two local parishes in the Central PA Area.

The Link, which was previously titled the Gayfolio, was a gay community newsletter published by MCC Harrsiburg. Note worthy items in this issue are: 

• "San Francico will host Gay Olympic Games" (pg. 1)
• "PL/GSN strives to improve conditions for gays" (pg. 9)

Program for Pride '80, a statewide gay rights conference. 

Advertisement poster for Pride '79, a statewide gay rights conference.

Lesbian/Gay Fundraiser at Rosmary's for Pride '79 featuring Rainbow's End. 

Brochure and Registration for Pride '80, a statewide gay rights conference.

Brochure and Registration for Pride '79, a statewide gay rights conference. 

Homophiles of Williamsport (HOW) was founded in 1975 to be an educational outreach and social group for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Williamsport, PA area, through monthly meetings, social events, and discussion sessions. The newsletter, Here’s How, was a way to keep group members up-to-date on news and events.

In this issues, discussion on Governor Richard Thornburgh's decision to keep the Governors Counscil on Sexual Minorities is discussed, as well as Pride '79, and an update on Dan Manevla's neighborhood harrasment concerns.

Homophiles of Williamsport (HOW) was founded in 1975 to be an educational outreach and social group for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Williamsport, PA area, through monthly meetings, social events, and discussion sessions. The newsletter, Here’s How, was a way to keep group members up-to-date on news and events.

Homophiles of Williamsport (HOW) was founded in 1975 to be an educational outreach and social group for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Williamsport, PA area, through monthly meetings, social events, and discussion sessions. The newsletter, Here’s How, was a way to keep group members up-to-date on news and events.

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.

The GSH Newsletter is an outreach feature of the Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg. This was the last newsletter created by the Switchboard, due to the establishment of another gay press in Harrisburg. Notable articles in this issue are:

• "Switchboard '82 Election"
• "God & Gays Part III"
• "Network Elects '82 Team"
• "1981 in the Black $477.31"
• "Harrisburg 'Press'es On"
• "Dignity Elects New Team"
• "CPGA (Central Pa. Gay Alliance) Dissolves

The GSH Newsletter is an outreach feature of the Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg. Notable articles in this issue are:

• "A Rose" [La Rose Rouge] (p. 1)
• "Switchboard Summer Picnic" (p. 1)
• "June 30 - ERA Rally" (p. 3)
• "Dignity/Central PA is Six" (p. 3)
• "2 Flea Mkts. Net $98.38" (p. 4)
• "Gods & Gays Part I" (p. 6)

The GSH Newsletter is an outreach feature of the Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg. Noteworthy articles in this issue are:

• "New Officers in June" (p. 1)
• "Treasurer Stays" (p. 1)
• "Flea Mrkt. June 6" (p. 3)
• "MCC News" (p. 4)

The GSH Newsletter is an outreach feature of the Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg. Notable articles in this issue are:

• "81 Officers"
• "In the Red"
• "8 Resolutions"
• "81 Training"

Pamphlet and organizational document that explains the Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg’s mission, background, funding, call-in categories, and call statistics.

Keystone is an educational and communication feature of Dignity/Central PA Inc. Noteworthy articles in this issue:

• "From the President" (p. 1)
• "Elections" (p. 1)
• "The Closet as Killer" (p. 5)

Calendar of events hosted by Dignity/Central PA for the Fall of 1980.

Calendar of events hosted by Dignity/Central PA during the fall of 1979.

Keystone is an educational and communication feature of Dignity/Central PA Inc. Noteworthy articles in this issue:

• "From the President" (p. 1)
• "Summer with Dignity (Update" (p. 2)