LGBT History Project: LGBT-007 Dan Miller Collection

Number of Pages
3
Date
1992 - 2013

Dan Miller was born in 1956 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He earned his BA in Accounting from Elizabethtown College, later going on to get his MA in Finance from Penn State University. In October of 1990, after working for Donald L. DeMuth Professional Management Consultants as an accountant, Dan was fired for being gay. After the trial process, which Miller did not win, he continued to be an activist within the LGBT Community of Central PA. Miller ran for mayor of Harrisburg, PA in 2013. While he was not successful in that election, he has held numerous positions of leadership through the LGBT Community of Central PA.

People
Year
Origin
Gift of Dan Miller
Collection
Location
LGBT-007 Dan Miller Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-004 Chris Dietz Collection

Number of Pages
1
Date
2012

In 2012 Chris Dietz was one of a record three openly gay candidates running for state representative, and one of two from central PA. While Dietz did not win his race for PA State Representative, he has served as the openly gay president of the Millersburg (PA) Borough Council.

People
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Chris Dietz
Location
LGBT-004 Chris Dietz Collection

LGBT Oral History 029: Chris Dietz

Number of Pages
11
Date
October 4, 2017

Chris Dietz was born on April 6, 1975 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He lived in Carlisle shortly after he was born, before moving to Perry County with his parents and younger sister. There, he attended West Perry School District and participated in many extracurricular activities. From high school, Chris was accepted to Penn State and studied engineering until he graduated. In this interview, Chris shares his experience with coming to terms with his sexuality at 30 years old as a life-long member of the United Church of Christ Christian church, and in turn how it has influenced his parents’ perception of him. He also expands on his achievements both as a manufacturer and a community leader. Chris worked as a mechanical engineer for a printing press until 2009, and now is a project manager at Alfa Laval, a manufacturing company for heat exchangers. Chris was appointed to Millersburg Borough Council in 2006, and has been a part of local politics ever since. Chris ran for state representative in 2012. The interview concludes with Chris’ thoughts on social change in the future for LGBT rights and transgender awareness.

Topics
People
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Chris Dietz
Collection
Location
LGBT Oral History - Dietz, Chris - 029

LGBT Oral History 025: Sam Deetz

Number of Pages
20
Date
October 27, 2013

Samuel Deetz was born in Quakertown (Pennsylvania), in 1951, on April 21 and was one of eight children. Sam’s father became a minister, which allowed his family to move from place to place over Sam’s young life. Sam’s family wanted him to continue into the Christian faith, but as Sam continued through Christian schools, he realized he was different. He became a strong advocate in the Susquehanna Valley Gays United (SVGU), worked along Harrisburg Pennsylvania Council members, Senators, and Representatives to form other gay and lesbian groups. He was also instrumental in organizing and arranging meetings in order for other gay and lesbians groups to blossom within their own communities. Sam was influential in creating a social media site and continues to keep blogs current and updated for well-known gay and lesbian advocates to share their experience, strength, and hope. He met the love of his life Jim, thirty-seven years ago, and because of the passing of the Marriage Equality Bill in Delaware was able to marry his best friend and confidante.

People
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Sam Deetz
Collection
Location
LGBT Oral History - Deetz, Sam - 025

PA Rural Gay Caucus Reasons for Repeal of Sodomy Statute - 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

This paper gives reasons as to why the Sodomy Statute should be repealed from the PA Crimes Code.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Legislation Report - May 25, 1976

Number of Pages
3
Date
May 25, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

This report updates members on PA Senate Bill 743 and the Sodomy Repeal Bill, or “Hill’s Bill.”

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Legislative Committee Report - 1976

Number of Pages
4
Date
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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

This Legislative Committee report focused on the status of both US HR 5452 and US HR 166, which were anti-discrimination bills.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Memo - June 22, 1976

Number of Pages
5
Date
June 22, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

This memo encourages the Legislative Committee of the PA Rural Gay Caucus to establish a strategy to handle legislative issues in an organized fashion, starting with education of legislators.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Position Paper Draft - 1976

Number of Pages
4
Date
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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

This a draft of the position paper that the Caucus wrote up in support of Sodomy Status Repeal Bill. It lays out the philosophical premise, strategy, and organization that was needed to show support of the repeal bill.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Meeting Notice - May 1978

Number of Pages
2
Date
May 1978

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 a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

This meeting notice gives the location of the next Caucus meeting, as well as the location of the “Governor’s Race Committee” meeting.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Legislative Committee Meeting Notice - July 10, 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
July 10, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

This Legislative Committee meeting notice gives the location and date of the next meeting, and the topics that were discussed.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Meeting Notice - April 3, 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
April 3, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

This meeting notice gives the location of the next Rural Gay Caucus meeting, along with directions to the meeting location.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Minutes - June 4, 1977

Number of Pages
2
Date
June 4, 1977

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 a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

In these minutes, the caucus discusses the reports of various committees and provides an evaluation of Human Rights Day. They also brainstorm ideas for the next Rural Conference and nominations for the secretary position.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Meeting Minutes - October 1976

Number of Pages
3
Date
October 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, 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.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Legislative Committee Minutes - May 22, 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
May 22, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community. In these meeting minutes the Legislative Committee reports on the Legislative Education Packet that was created called “Gay Legislation ’76, Pennsylvania,” which was an endorsement of Gay Rights. There was no new legislation introduced, and the committee discussed the next steps since “Hill’s Bill” was not able to be introduced in the Senate.
Topics
Organizations
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Joseph W. Burns
Collection
Location
LGBT-001 Joseph W. Burns Collection

PA Rural Gay Caucus Legislative Committee Minutes - May 8, 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
May 8, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community. In these minutes, the Legislative Committee updates members on the legislation being considered, and the process of contacting legislators from Gay Lobby Day was discussed.
Events
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Joseph W. Burns
Collection
Location
LGBT-001 Joseph W. Burns Collection

PA Rural Gay Caucus Legislative Committee Minutes - April 24, 1976

Number of Pages
3
Date
April 24, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community. In these minutes, the Legislative Committee discuss issues at the local, state, and federal level. They also provide data on the recent Gay Lobby Day, and propaganda and advertisement ideas.
Organizations
Events
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Joseph W. Burns
Collection
Location
LGBT-001 Joseph W. Burns Collection

PA Rural Gay Caucus Memo - February 18, 1977

Number of Pages
3
Date
February 18, 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 this memo, Joseph W. Burns encourage members to lobby against PA Senate Bill 83 that was introduced into the PA Senate on January 4, 1977.
Organizations
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Joseph W. Burns
Collection
Location
LGBT-001 Joseph W. Burns

PA Rural Gay Caucus Memo - June 20, 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
June 20, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community. In this memo, Bill Hollabaugh mentions the next meeting of the Legislative Committee of the Caucus to discuss the continuation of lobbying for the repeal of the Sodomy Law status.
Topics
Organizations
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Joseph W. Burns
Collection
Location
LGBT-001 Joseph W. Burns Collection

PA Rural Gay Caucus Memo - June 8, 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
June 8, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community. In this memo, Bill Hollabaugh discusses the logistics of the joint meeting between the Caucus and the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities.
Events
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Joseph W. Burns
Collection
Location
LGBT-001 Joseph W. Burns

PA Rural Gay Caucus Memo - May 19, 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
May 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community. In this memo, Bill Hallobaugh discuses the next steps for the Caucus to continue lobbying for the removal of the Sodomy status in PA law.
Topics
Organizations
Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Joseph W. Burns
Collection
Location
LGBT-001 Joseph W. Burns

PA Rural Gay Caucus Memo - April 17, 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
April 17, 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.” The report was used as a type of newsletter outreach to the Central PA LGBTQ community.

In this memo, Sam Deetz is explaining how to get to the location for the next meeting of the Legislative Action Committee.

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

Lavender Letter (Harrisburg, PA) - October 1996

Number of Pages
5
Date
October 1996

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.

This issue features a spotlight article called "The Law and You."

Find Other Issues
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Anonymous
Location
LGBT-009 Lavender Letter Collection

PA Rural Gay Caucus Letter from the Editor - October 1976

Number of Pages
2
Date
October 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 this letter, Joseph Burns tells members of the departure of Lehigh Valley Homophile Organization (Le-Hi-Ho) from the group due to division among the group. He also goes on to talk about the protentional for growth and change within the caucus, starting with the next meeting, where they will decide if the caucus stays an organization or dissolves.

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

PA Rural Gay Caucus Letter - April 2, 1977

Number of Pages
2
Date
April 2, 1977

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 this letter, the Caucus is writing to the Majoyr of Allentown, PA in support of the adding sexual orientation preferences as a protection clause in the Human Rights Ordinance.

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