Mitzel, Cindy

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2002 concert "Wintersong" at the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth in Enola. This concert performance was dedicated to chorus founder Donna Gomboc.

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2001 concert "Wild Women...Just Get Better!" at the Harrisburg Unitarian Church. A portion of the concert's proceeds supported the Revolutionary Association of the Women in Afghanistan (RAWA), an organization which advocates for the human rights of women in Afghanistan.

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This event program is from the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' June 2001 concert "This Land is Our Land!" at the Harrisburg Unitarian Church. This performance was the group's first full length concert in over a year and a half, and featured special guests the Harrisburg Men's Chorus.

Founded in 1994, the Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.”

This is a program from the Central PA Womyn Chorus' fall 1999 concert "How Can I Keep from Singing?" at the Harrisburg Unitarian Church. The Harrisburg Men's Chorus hosted a reception after the concert.

Cindy Lou Mitzel was born in April 1942 in York County, PA. Growing up Mitzel knew that she felt attraction towards women, however she married a man after graduating from high school and they had three children. Mitzel has been involved in the National Organization for Women [NOW]; the Lavender Letter newsletter; the Lesbian Alliance; the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Chorus; and York Support, later known as York Area Lambda, among other women’s and gay rights activist organizations.

These documents relate to Mitzel’s involvement in York Area Lambda, originally known as York Support. The collection consists primarily of news clippings related to efforts to hold a Gay Pride Week celebration in York, Pa in summer 1991.

Cindy Lou Mitzel was born in April of 1942 in York County, Pennsylvania as the youngest in a big family. Growing up, Cindy knew that she felt attraction towards women but married a man just after graduating from high school and had three children. Throughout her life, Cindy has been involved in the National Organization for Women [NOW], the Lavender Letter, the Lesbian Alliance, and the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Chorus, among other women’s and gay rights activist organizations. Cindy remained married for many years before separating from her husband and, after the age of 40, began dating other women. In this interview, Cindy discusses coming out to her adult children, her involvement in the passage of a gay rights ordinance in York city, and how LGBT-identified individuals practiced safety while community building. She also mentions the importance of coming out, her experiences at the Metropolitan Community Church, and her attendance of the first Central Pennsylvania Pride Festival. Today, Cindy is pleased with the recent affirmative gay marriage laws, which were once thought “impossible” for the LGBT community.