From the Archives: New LGBTQ+ History Collections

By Rosalyn DeMattia, Archives Services Intern

Hi everyone! I'mRosalyn (they/them)one of the three Archives Services interns for Fall 2024.I'vespent the last month learning all about archival processing and am proud to announcethree new collections I'veworked on for the Gay Ohio History Initiative (GOHI), which are now available to usein ourArchives & Library. Make sure and check out ourLGBTQ+ research guidefor even more gay Ohio history!

George Painter Collection, MSS 8944 AV

What's unique about this collection?

In the 1970s, the Ohio Gay Rights Coalition fought for gay liberation through social outreach and political action. George Painter was a student activist during his time at OSU as well as an active member of the Coalition. He saved photos and memorabilia from protests, group meetings, and the signing of Executive Order 83-64 by Governor Celeste, which banned discrimination in state government based on sexuality. The collection notably documents protests of Anita Bryant's Revive America Crusade in Lima, Ohio. You can view the full catalog record here.

What else should you know?

I'm especially grateful to Mr. Painter for labelling each of the photos he saved. Thanks to him, we know the names of many fellow Ohio Gay Rights Coalition members, the dates of their meetings, and even the name of the photographer. Truly, a newbie archivist's dream!

Image: "Wearing his pink triangle and proud of it." Protesting Anita Bryant's visit to Lima, Ohio, October 26, 1977. Photograph by Bob Roehm.

Sharon Deevey Collection, MSS 8945 AV

What's unique about this collection?

Sharon Deevey is a nurse, librarian, activist, writer, and founding member of the Furies, a radical lesbian collective active in Washington, D.C. in the early 1970s. Throughout her life, Dr. Deevey has worked tirelessly against inequalities in our healthcare systems, which affect professionals as well as patients. Along with decades of her written work, Dr. Deevey's collection includes records from the addition of the Furies' home to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. We have a two-by-three-foot poster of the house in our archives, tucked safely into an enormous folder! You can view the full catalog record here.

What else should you know?

Dr. Deevey loves dancing, and included a wonderful recording of one of her lessons in her donation to the Ohio History Connection. The DVD is viewable onsite in our reading room.

Image: Cover of Deevey's memoir, preserved as part of her collection.

Shepherd Initiative Records, MSS 8792 AV

What's unique about this collection?

The Shepherd Initiative was a Christian LGBTQ+ advocacy group active in Columbus from 1998-2008. Founded in response to Matthew Shepard's murder, the group fought for queer inclusion in Christian communities and fought against the perception that homosexuality and Christianity were incompatible. The group held two multi-denominational conferences in the 2000s, assembling leaders and congregation members from across the country to teach strategies for inclusive communities and share experiences of gay Christian life. As evidence of a positive relationship between Christianity and LGBTQ+ communities, these records add an invaluable perspective to our collections. You can view the full catalog record here.

What else should you know?

Every panel and speech from the 2003 Amazing Grace conference was professionally recorded, and we have all of them on a whopping 29 cassette tapes!

Image: Amazing Grace conference mailer, part of the Shepherd Initiative scrapbook.