1970-1979

Benedict A. “Wesley” Trautwein was a drag performer from Waldwick, NJ. He grew up in Central PA while also working for the PA State Department of Revenue. As a drag performer, he was part of The Jewel Box Revue, a touring female drag troupe (1932-1975), and used the stage name Francis Parker. After he left The Jewel Box Revue, he moved back to Harrisburg, PA where he continued to perform at local bars and clubs. Trautwein passed away in 2003.

Benedict A. “Wesley” Trautwein was a drag performer from Waldwick, NJ. He grew up in Central PA while also working for the PA State Department of Revenue. As a drag performer, he was part of The Jewel Box Revue, a touring female drag troupe (1932-1975), and used the stage name Francis Parker. After he left The Jewel Box Revue, he moved back to Harrisburg, PA where he continued to perform at local bars and clubs. Trautwein passed away in 2003.

Born on May 4, 1923, in Brooklyn, NY, Walter J. Lear was a physician and activist for healthcare reform and LGBTQ+ rights. He received his B.S. from Harvard in 1943, his M.D. from Long Island College of Medicine in 1946, and his M.S. in Hospital Administration from Columbia University School of Public Health in 1948. Lear came out in January of 1976 in the first issues of the Philadelphia Gay News.

Lear held many public health positions in Pennsylvania including, but not limited to, Deputy City Health Commissioner for Philadelphia (1964), State Regional Health Commissioner (1971), and acting executive director of Philadelphia General Hospital. He also founded the Institute of Social Medicine and Community Health (circa 1975) and was one of the four founders of the Maternity Care Coalition in Philadelphia (1980).

As an activist, Lear’s dedication to healthcare and LGBTQ+ rights intersected. His activism included, but is not limited to: Chairperson to the Gay Public Health Workers Caucus of the American Public Health Association (1975-1978); Board of Directors member for the Gay Community Center of Philadelphia, now the William Way Center, (1975-1991); PA State Health Department delegate to the Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorities (1976-1979); co-founder of the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia (1979); co-founder the Philadelphia AIDS Task Force (1982); and the first openly gay member of the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission (1984-1988).

Lear passed away in 2010.

The contents of this collection are organized into six series: Context of Collection, Correspondence, Photographs, Scholarship, Recognition Events, and Miscellaneous. For more materials related to Walter J. Lear, please see:

Walter J. Lear papers, 1975-1996, John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center.

Walter Lear Collection, 1944 – 1963, Joan E. Lynaugh Archives and Special Collections, Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania.

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.

Members at a PA Rural Gay Caucus Meeting in State College, PA. Members left to right: Pam Erdly, Sam Deetz, Jonathan Smith-Cousins, Tony Silvestre. Photo by Bari Weaver.

Members at a PA Rural Gay Caucus Meeting in Wilkes Barre, PA. Photo by Thomas F. Schmidt of Fay L. Broody Studies.

Janet Cooper (left) and Sam Deetz (right), members of the PA Rural Gay Caucus, in  late 1975 or early 1976.

Sam Deetz at Gay Education Day, also known as Gay Lobby Day, organized by the PA Rural Gay Caucus and in Harrisburg, PA during March 1976. Photo taken by Bari Weaver.

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Minnutes for the Steering Committee meeting of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities. Minutes include:

• Committee Reports
• Committee Organization
• Press Kit
• White House meeting 
• General Updates

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Minuntes from the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities. Minutes include:

• Policy regarding multiple committee membership
• Annual Organization of Council
• Additional Committee Members
• A council vacancy
• Public Information and Education
• Letters on Council Stationary
• Spokesperson for the Council
• Reports on Committee
• Upcoming meetings

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Minutes from the State Employment Subcommittee of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities. Minutes include: 

• Managament Procedures for Affirmative Action
• Should the State Employment Committee seek to become an in-house committee of the office of administration?

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Brochure advertising the Speaker's Bureau, a program created by the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities as a way to spread education about LGBTQ+ issues.

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

The first Annual Report of the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities, describing the major activities and accomplishments of the council in the 1976 year. 

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Handmade poster created to advertise Pride '78, the yearly Gay Conference held in Pennsylvania. 

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Press release announcing the establishment of the Gay Youth Committee headed by Janet Cooper.

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Notes from a presentation of Gay Alcoholism presented by James Huggins to the Governor's Council for Sexual Minorities.

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Unidentified minutes from a meeting.

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Minutes from the December 7, 1979 meeting. Minutes include:

• Allegheny Sodomy Case
• Affirmative Action Policy
• Prison Project update, specifically on LGBTQ+ Prisoner Sexual Assault
• Rascim;
• Copy of Affirmative Action Program Executive Order

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Minutes from the October 20, 1979 meeting. Minutes include: 

• Update on the ALleghany Voluntary Deviate Intercourse Case
• Department of Welfare Update
• Department of Aging
• General Annoucements
• "Racism, Sexism, and Homophobia" written presentation

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

• Update on the Voluntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse Statute
• Update on Aging and Speaker's Bureau
• Update on Alcoholism
• Department of Welfare (DPW) Proposed Task Force 
• Pride '79
• General Announcements
• Update on Workgroups

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Minutes from the July [7], 1979 meeting. Minutes include:

• Schedule for the 1979-80 Council Meetings
• Proclamation of Gay Pride Week by Governor Thornburgh
• Pride '79 Conference
• Alcoholism Update
• Report on Aging
• General Announcements
• Notes updates from smaller committees in the Council

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Minutes from the April 17, 1979 meeting. Minutes include

• Update on attendance policy
• Status of the Council
• Update on Alcoholism
• Update on Advisory Council presentation to the US Civil Rights Commission
• Update on conference on LGBTQ+ Prisoner Sexual Assault
• Pride '79 planning
• Update on Speaker's Bureau
• Council Membership

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Minutes for the March 8, 1979 meeting. Minutes include:

• Update on Media Coverage
• Information from the Governor's Office
• White House Conference of the Family participation
• General Announcements

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorites was an officially appointed advisory committee created by Governor Milton J. Shapp in 1976. Governor Shapp, by executive order, declared that all executive branch offices and services were to end discriminatory practices and policies against all LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and program of state services. The proposed council was his instrument guaranteeing the implementation of his decree throughout the Executive Branch of state government.

Minutes from the January 31, 1979 meeting. Minutes include:

• Council Direction over the next four years
• Announcements
• Update on the Commonwealth Student Association
• Update on Media outlets to support the council
• Update on Alcoholism