LGBT Oral History Summaries

Number of Pages
120
Date
2018

Since August 2012 the LGBT History Project of the LGBT Center of Central PA has actively collected stories of LGBT history in central PA as told by those who lived them. This growing collection of oral history interviews is housed by the Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections. The attached PDF file contains summaries of each completed interview. To access the full video/audio file or transcription of an interview, contact archives@dickinson.edu or 717-245-1399.

Year
Time Period
Origin
Created by Dickinson Archives and Special Collections Staff
Collection
Location
LGBT Oral History

LGBT History Project: LGBT-103 Charles McKee and Ron Sanders Collection

Number of Pages
2
Date
1975-2003
Charles McKee and Ron Sanders were partners for 22 years. The sign was unscrewed and given to them by a carpenter working on Wesley’s house at the corner of 3rd and North Streets in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Benedict A. “Wesley” Trautwein, a drag performer known as Francis Parker. Wesley was a part of the The Jewel Box Revue, a troupe of drag performers who traveled around the country from 1939 to 1969, which made many stops in Pennsylvania. After departing the Revue, he moved back to Harrisburg and continued preforming at local bars and clubs, such as The Neptune Lounge. Trautwein passed away in 2003.
General Subjects
Year
Origin
Gift of Charles McKee and Ron Sanders
Location
LGBT0193 Charles McKee and Ron Sanders

LGBT History Project: LGBT-097 Kirsten Backhaus-Smith Collection

Number of Pages
3
Date
1966-2020
Kirsten Backhaus-Smith, the daughter of Gunter Backhaus, served as the manager of The Loft and Tally Ho Tavern. The Tally-Ho Tavern, located at 201 W. Orange St., in Lancaster, Pennsylvania was bought by George Centini in 1966, but did not begin operating as a LGBTQ+ bar until 1968 when the Village Night Club closed. The bar became a target of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in mid-1980s as people began to complain about the noise and people gathering outside of the establishment. The bar and restaurant were sold by Centini in 1987 to Gunter Backhaus, a chef who had previously worked as the executive chef at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina and Host Farm Resort in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The tavern continued to operate throughout the 1990s, in 2008, the after-party for Lancaster’s inaugural Pride even took place at the Tally Ho. It remained in operation as a LGBTQ+ bar until 2020 with the onset of the COVID-
Year
Origin
Gift of Kirsten Backhaus-Smith
Location
LGBT-097 Kirsten Backhaus-Smith Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-101 Terrence Dragovan and Thomas F. Grubic

Number of Pages
3
Date
1975-1996
Terrence Dragovan and Thomas F. Grubic were a married couple in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Thomas Grubic passed away in 2022. Grubic graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1967. Dragovan, a native of Steelton, Pennsylvania, also graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School and later Marshall University in 1984.
Year
Origin
Gift of Terrence Dragovan and Thomas F. Grubic
Location
LGBT-101 Terrence Dragovan and Thomas F. Grubic

LGBT History Project: LGBT-113 Don Haines Collection

Number of Pages
3
Date
1988-1996
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.
People
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Don Haines
Collection
Location
LGBT-113 Don Haines Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-111 Bradley "Brad" Gebhart Collection

Number of Pages
2
Date
2008-2023
Bradley “Brad” Gebhart, an active member in the arts scene in central Pennsylvania, serves on the board of the LGBT Center of Central PA as the Events Chair. In addition to his various roles in the community and professional work, Gebhart provided original cartoon drawings for the Central Voice.
Year
Origin
Gift of Bradley Gebhart
Collection
Location
LGBT-111 Bradley "Brad" Gebhart Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-106 Jeremy S. Boorum Collection

Number of Pages
7
Date
2006-2023
Jeremy S. Boorum was born in 1997 in Rochester, New York. After completing his undergraduate education at Elmira College, Boorum briefly relocated to Central Pennsylvania in 2019 to begin a master’s degree in American studies at Penn State Harrisburg, and later returned in 2021 to pursue a doctoral education in the same department. As a doctoral student, Boorum became involved in the local LGBTQ+ community. During the Spring 2022 semester, Boorum led efforts to relaunch Pride at Penn State Harrisburg, the campus’s LGBTQ+ student organization, and served as the group’s president. Following his work with Pride, Boorum taught an undergraduate course about LGBTQ+ identity, culture, and the arts. Additionally, Boorum contributed to the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project and worked with the project’s archival collections at Dickinson College for two summers. Boorum continues to serve on the project’s steering committee.
Year
Origin
Gift of Jeremy Boorum
Collection
Location
LGBT-106 Jeremy S. Boorum Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-098 Tapestry Inserts Collection

Number of Pages
4
Date
1993-1996
Tapestry Magazine, alternately known as Tapestry, Transgender Tapestry, The TV-TS Tapestry, and The Tapestry Journal throughout its history, was first published in the late 1970s. The publication appeared in a variety of formats until the early 2000s. The publication was founded by Merissa Sherrill Lynn and was published first by the Tiffany Club and later by the International Foundation for Gender Education, IFGE.
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Anonymous Donor
Location
LGBT-098 Tapestry Inserts Collection

Pride '79 Pink Debbie Interest Correspondence - June 19, 1979

Number of Pages
3
Date
June 19, 1979

Correspondence from Pink Debbie, a band, inquiring about performing at Pride Conference 1979. 

Organizations
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Joseph W. Burns
Collection
Location
LGBT-001 Joseph W. Burns Collection

Pride Conference Speaker Correspondences and Information - 1975 to1978

Number of Pages
12
Date
1975 to 1978

Correspondences and information on Pride Conference speakers from 1975 to 1978. Some correspondences are handwritten.

Time Period
Origin
Gift of Joseph W. Burns
Collection
Location
LGBT-001 Joseph W. Burns Collection

York Area LAMBDA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - May 4, 1994

Number of Pages
4
Date
May 4, 1994

York Area LAMBDA Board of Directors meeting agenda and minutes discussing the Mother's Day Street Fair Lemonade Stand plans.

York Area LAMBDA, started in the 1990s and originally known as York Support Inc., was an educational, political, and social group for the LGBTQ+ community of York, PA and the surrounding area.

Places
Organizations
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Peg & Delma Welch
Collection
Location
LGBT-080 Peg & Delma Welch Collection

York Area LAMBDA Newsletter - March/April 1993

Number of Pages
5
Date
March/April 1993

York Area LAMBDA newsletter discussing local issues and the specifically the anti-discrimination ordinance that was passed by the York City Council to include sexual orientation.

York Area LAMBDA, started in the 1990s and originally known as York Support Inc., was an educational, political, and social group for the LGBTQ+ community of York, PA and the surrounding area.

Find Other Issues
Places
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Peg & Delma Welch
Collection
Location
LGBT-080 Peg & Delma Welch Collection

York Area LAMBDA Event Calendar Flyer - March 1993

Number of Pages
3
Date
March 1993

York Area LAMBDA calendar of events for March - June 1993.

York Area LAMBDA, started in the 1990s and originally known as York Support Inc., was an educational, political, and social group for the LGBTQ+ community of York, PA and the surrounding area.

Events
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Peg & Delma Welch
Collection
Location
LGBT-080 Peg & Delma Welch Collection

York Area LAMBDA General Meetings Memo - January 17 and February 21, 1993

Number of Pages
3
Date
January 17 and February 21, 1993

York Area LAMBDA memo in replacement of general meeting minutes for January 17 and February 21 meetings. The memo updates members on the status of the gay rights ordinance proposed by Mayor Althaus to the York City Council. 

York Area LAMBDA, started in the 1990s and originally known as York Support Inc., was an educational, political, and social group for the LGBTQ+ community of York, PA and the surrounding area.

Places
Organizations
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Peg & Delma Welch
Collection
Location
LGBT-080 Peg & Delma Welch Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2006

Number of Pages
5
Date
Fall/Winter 2006

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 newsletter for the Central PA Womyn's Chorus for Fall/Winter 2006 which includes updates about the chorus, a list of upcoming events, a report from the fundraising committee, and a detachable form to support the chorus.

People
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Marie DiFava
Collection
Location
LGBT-086 Marie DiFava Collection

Central PA Women's Music Festival Flyer - August 19, [2006]

Number of Pages
2
Date
August 19, [2006]

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 flyer promotes the Central Pennsylvania Women's Music Festival, held on August 19th, 2006 at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg. The festival featured Bobbi Carmitchell, Deenie Hamacher, Robin Chambers, Delta Jelly, the Central PA Womyn's Chorus, Natalie Darkes, Bumbada Women Drumming, N'Bonye Dancers, Janie Womack, Renee Bartholomew, Pat George, and an open mic session.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Patricia “Pat” Saunders
Collection
Location
LGBT-062 Patricia “Pat” Saunders Collection

Central PA Womyn's Chorus "Music in Our Mother’s House" Flyer - May 10, 2003

Number of Pages
3
Date
May 10, 2003
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 flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2003 concert "Music in Our Mother's House," performed on May 10th at Unity Church in Enola.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Marie DiFava
Collection
Location
LGBT-086 Marie DiFava Collection

Central PA Womyn's Chorus "We Rise Again" Flyer - May 17 & 18, 2019

Number of Pages
2
Date
May 17 and 18, 2019

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 flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2019 concert "We Rise Again," a collaboration with the Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Women's Network, performed on May 17th at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg and on May 18th at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church in Camp Hill.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn's Chorus "Animated Women" Flyer - May 19 & 20, 2018

Number of Pages
2
Date
May 19 and 20, 2018

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 flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2018 concert "Animated Women," performed on May 19th at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsburg and on May 20th at Colonial Park United Church of Christ in Harrisburg.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Keep on Moving Forward” Flyer - November 18 & 19, 2017

Number of Pages
2
Date
November 18 and 19, 2017
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 flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2017 concert "Keep on Moving Forward," performed on November 18th at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsburg and on November 19th at Colonial Park United Church of Christ in Harrisburg.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn's Chorus "Down by the Riverside" Flyer - June 3 & 4, 2017

Number of Pages
2
Date
June 3 and 4, 2017

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 flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2017 concert "Down by the Riverside," performed on June 3rd at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsburg and on June 4th at Colonial Park United Church of Christ in Harrisburg.

General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Calling all Directions” Flyer - November 19 & 20, 2016

Number of Pages
2
Date
November 19 and 20, 2016
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 flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2016 concert "Calling all Directions," performed on November 19th at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsburg and on November 20th at Colonial Park United Church of Christ in Harrisburg.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Fall in Love” Flyer - November 22, 2015

Number of Pages
2
Date
November 22, 2015
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 flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2015 concert "Fall in Love," performed on November 22nd at First Reformed United Church of Christ in Lancaster.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Coming of Age” Flyer - May 30, 2015

Number of Pages
2
Date
May 30, 2015
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 flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' spring 2015 concert "Coming of Age," performed on May 30th at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 Central PA Womyn's Chorus Collection

Central PA Womyn’s Chorus “Pop Rocks: Divine Divas and Their Music” Flyer - November 22 & 23, 2014

Number of Pages
2
Date
November 22 and 23, 2014
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 flyer promotes the Central PA Womyn's Chorus' fall 2014 concert "Pop Rocks: Divine Divas and Their Music," performed on November 22nd at Unity Church in Enola and on November 23rd at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York.
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Mary Nancarrow
Location
LGBT-102 The Central PA Womyn’s Chorus Collection