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-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

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

York Lesbian Alliance Meeting Minutes - April 13, 1997

Number of Pages
5
Date
April 13, 1997

York Lesbian Alliance meeting minutes focusing on the York City School District Anti-Discrimination Policy and adding sex/sexual orientation to hate crimes status.

York Lesbian Alliance was started by Peg (Stoppard) Welch in the 1990s. 

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

The Lesbians/Gay/Straight Alliance interest and sign-up sheet - circa 1994

Number of Pages
2
Date
circa 1994

Sign-up sheet for the Lesbian/Gay/Straight Alliance in York County. 

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

Text of Newspaper article about anti-discrimination law in York, PA (draft) - 1993

Number of Pages
2
Date
1993

Draft text of newspaper article to be released about the passing of an act to include sexual orientation and martial status in anti-discrimination laws in York, PA.

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

York City United Support for Mayor William J. Althaus - 1993

Number of Pages
2
Date
1993

Announcement supporting Mayor William J. Althaus' proposal to extend York City's civil rights guarantees to include sexual orientation and marital status.

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
Format
Origin
Gift of Peg & Delma Welch
Collection
Location
LGBT-080 Peg & Delma Welch Collection

York Area LAMBDA Newsletter - May/June 1996

Number of Pages
7
Date
May/June 1996

York Area LAMBDA monthly newsletter with focus on Peg (Stoppard) Welch resigning as President.

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.

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Places
Organizations
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Peg & Delma Welch
Collection
Location
LGBT-080 Peg & Delma Welch 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 Petition for Signature Act - January 30, 1993

Number of Pages
3
Date
circa 1993

Memo containing petition to sign to support the expansion of York's Civil Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and marital status.

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

Memo from Peg Welch about "Coming Out" - January 30, 1993

Number of Pages
2
Date
January 30, 1993

Peg Welch's stance on coming out when fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in York, PA.

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.

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

York Area LAMBDA Lesbian and Gay Voters Guide - 1993

Number of Pages
7
Date
1993

Questionnaire put together by York Area LAMBDA with answers from candidates for Mayor, City Council, and School Board for York City.

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
Format
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.

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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

Distant view of Steven Leshner and person holding rainbow flag at event in Washington, D.C. - circa 1990

Date
circa 1990

This is a photo of a distant view of Steven Leshner and a person holding a rainbow flag at an event in Washington, DC around 1990. This picture is found on page 40 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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General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Steven Leshner
Collection
Location
LGBT-029 - Steven Leshner Collection

Richard Hause with person holding rainbow flag at event in Washington, D.C. - circa 1990

Date
circa 1990

This is a photo of Richard Hause (left) with a person holding a rainbow flag at an event in Washington, DC around 1990. This picture is found on page 40 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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General Subjects
Year
Time Period
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Origin
Gift of Steven Leshner
Collection
Location
LGBT-029 - Steven Leshner Collection

Up close view of Steven Leshner and person holding rainbow flag at event in Washington, D.C. - circa 1990

Date
circa 1990

This is a photo of an up close view of Steven Leshner (left) with a person holding a rainbow flag at an event in Washington, DC around 1990. This picture is found on page 39 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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Organizations
General Subjects
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Steven Leshner
Collection
Location
LGBT-029 - Steven Leshner Collection

Group of members outside the Dignity/Central PA 20th Anniversary Celebration - July 1995

Date
July 1995

This is a photo of a group of members standing outside Dignity/Central PA's 20th Anniversary Celebration, held in July 1995 at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, PA. Members included in the photo are Barry Loveland (front left), Richard Hause (center), and Steven Leshner (far right). This picture is found on page 38 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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Year
Time Period
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Origin
Gift of Steven Leshner
Collection
Location
LGBT-029 - Steven Leshner Collection

Steven Leshner receiving award at the Dignity/Central PA 20th Anniversary Celebration - July 1995

Date
July 1995

This is a photo of Steven Leshner (right) receiving the award "Member of the Year," presented by Richard Hause (left) at Dignity/Central PA's 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Hotel Hershey in July 1995. This picture is found on page 38 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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General Subjects
Year
Time Period
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Origin
Gift of Steven Leshner
Collection
Location
LGBT-029 - Steven Leshner Collection

Steven Leshner with two members at the Dignity/Central PA booth at Pride Festival of Central PA - July 30, 1995

Date
July 30, 1995

This is a photo of Steven Leshner (in back) with two members at Dignity/Central PA's booth at the Pride Festival of Central PA, held on July 30, 1995 at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg, PA. This picture is found on page 36 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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Organizations
Year
Time Period
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Origin
Gift of Steven Leshner
Collection
Location
LGBT-029 - Steven Leshner Collection

Richard Hause with two members at the Dignity/Central PA booth at Pride Festival of Central PA – July 30, 1995

Date
July 30, 1995

This is a photo of Richard Hause (left) with two members at Dignity/Central PA's booth at the Pride Festival of Central PA, held on July 30, 1995 at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg, PA. This picture is found on page 36 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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Organizations
Year
Time Period
Format
Origin
Gift of Steven Leshner
Collection
Location
LGBT-029 - Steven Leshner Collection