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.
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Origin
Gift of Charles McKee and Ron Sanders
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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.
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Year
Time Period
Origin
Gift of Don Haines
Collection
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LGBT-113 Don Haines Collection

LGBT History Project: LGBT-114 Richard L. Schlegel Collection

Number of Pages
4
Date
1949-2006
Richard Lamar Schlegel was born in 1927 in Berrysburg, PA, a small borough in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. In 1949, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he pursued a master’s degree and later took a job in the federal government. His career ended in 1961 when he was fired for “immoral and indecent conduct” after being followed by secret investigators who investigated his personal life. Schlegel appealed his case, Schlegel vs. the United States, which went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court but was refused a hearing. He then returned to Pennsylvania where he worked for the Department of Highways and started a small chapter of the Janus Society in Harrisburg. This is believed to be the first gay organization created in central Pennsylvania.
Year
Origin
Gift of Robert ''Bob'' Deibler
Collection
Location
LGBT-114 Richard L. Schlegel Collection

Member with red beaded necklace at the Dignity/Central PA 10th Anniversary Celebration - July 20, 1985

Date
July 20, 1985

This is a photo of a member wearing a red beaded necklace at Dignity/Central PA's 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on July 20, 1985 at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA. This picture is found on page 43 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Member dinner at the Dignity/Central PA 10th Anniversary Celebration - July 20, 1985

Date
July 20, 1985

This is a photo of a group of members at dinner during Dignity/Central PA's 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on July 20, 1985 at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA. This picture is found on page 42 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Quentin Crisp with two members at the Dignity/Central PA 10th Anniversary Celebration - July 20, 1985

Date
July 20, 1985

This is a photo of Quentin Crisp with two members at Dignity/Central PA's 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on July 20, 1985 at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA. From left to right: Richard Hause, Quentin Crisp, William Clifford. This picture is found on page 42 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Quentin Crisp with three members at the Dignity/Central PA 10th Anniversary Celebration – July 20, 1985

Date
July 20, 1985

This is a photo of Quentin Crisp with three members at Dignity/Central PA's 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on July 20, 1985 at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA. From left to right: Jerry Brennan, Richard Hause, Quentin Crisp, William Clifford. This picture is found on page 42 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Quentin Crisp looking off to the side at the Dignity/Central PA 10th Anniversary Celebration - July 20, 1985

Date
July 20, 1985

This is a photo of Quentin Crisp looking off to the side during Dignity/Central PA's 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on July 20, 1985 at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA. This picture is found on page 21 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Quentin Crisp looking directly at members at the Dignity/Central PA 10th Anniversary Celebration - July 20, 1985

Date
July 20, 1985

This is a photo of Quentin Crisp looking directly at members during Dignity/Central PA's 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on July 20, 1985 at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA. This picture is found on page 21 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Jerry Brennan and two members at the Dignity/Central PA 10th Anniversary Celebration - July 20, 1985

Date
July 20, 1985

This is a photo of Jerry Brennan (right) and two other members at Dignity/Central PA's 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on July 20, 1985 at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA. This picture is found on page 21 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Side view of Quentin Crisp at the Dignity/Central PA 10th Anniversary Celebration - July 20, 1985

Date
July 20, 1985

This is a photo of the side view of Quentin Crisp at Dignity/Central PA's 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on July 20, 1985 at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA. This picture is found on page 21 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Service at the Dignity/Central PA 10th Anniversary Celebration - July 20, 1985

Date
July 20, 1985

This is a photo of a service at Dignity/Central PA's 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on July 20, 1985 at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA. This picture is found on page 21 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Richard Hause and other members at the Dignity/Central PA Great South Lawn Picnic - Summer 1983

Date
Summer 1983

This is a photo of Richard Hause and other members at Dignity/Central PA's Great South Lawn Picnic, held in Summer 1983. This picture is found on page 20 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Two members at the Dignity/Central PA Great South Lawn Picnic - Summer 1983

Date
Summer 1983

This is a photo of two members at Dignity/Central PA's Great South Lawn Picnic, held in Summer 1983. This picture is found on page 20 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Waterfront view at Dignity/Central PA Great South Lawn Picnic - Summer 1983

Date
Summer 1983

This is a photo of the waterfront view at Dignity/Central PA's Great South Lawn Picnic, held in Summer 1983. This picture is found on page 20 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Up close view of group members in circle at Dignity/Central PA Great South Lawn Picnic - Summer 1983

Date
Summer 1983

This photo is an up close image of the group members sitting and standing in a circle at Dignity/Central PA's Great South Lawn Picnic, held in Summer 1983. This picture is found on page 19 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Member wearing pink shirt smiling at the Dignity/Central PA Great South Lawn Picnic – Summer 1983

Date
Summer 1983

This is a photo of a member wearing a pink shirt smiling while sitting with a group at Dignity/Central PA's Great South Lawn Picnic, held in Summer 1983. This picture is found on page 19 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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View of entire group at the Dignity/Central PA Great South Lawn Picnic - Summer 1983

Date
Summer 1983

This is a photo which shows the entire group of members at Dignity/Central PA's Great South Lawn Picnic, held in Summer 1983. This picture is found on page 19 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Member sipping beverage at the Dignity/Central PA Great South Lawn Picnic – Summer 1983

Date
Summer 1983

This is a photo of a member sipping a beverage while standing in a group during Dignity/Central PA's Great South Lawn Picnic, held in Summer 1983. This picture is found on page 19 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Three members standing in front of snack table at the Dignity/Central PA Great South Lawn Picnic – Summer 1983

Date
Summer 1983

This is a photo of three group members standing in front of the snack table during Dignity/Central PA's Great South Lawn Picnic, held in Summer 1983. This picture is found on page 19 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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Right side of the room at Dignity/Central PA 8th Anniversary Dinner (Railroad House, Marietta, PA) - July 1983

Date
July 1983

This is a photo of the right side of the room during Dignity/Central PA's 8th Anniversary Dinner, held in July 1983 at the Railroad House in Marietta, PA. This picture is found on page 18 of the PDF of the Dignity/Central PA Scrapbook.

Dignity/Central PA is a forum for human concerns, a place of seeking for greater self, knowledge, and wisdom, an affirmation of one's sexual orientation in faith, and personal ministry. This scrapbook was created by Steven Leshner, a member of Dignity/Central PA, and includes mostly photos, unless otherwise noted, of annual picnics, events, and members, like those of founder Jerry Brennan and Father Wallace Sawdy.

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LGBT-029 - Steven Leshner Collection