Colorado LGBTQ+ Activism collection
Scope and Contents
The Colorado LGBTQ+ Activism collection includes articles and essays, flyers, letters, magazines, newspapers, memorabilia, pamphlets and booklets, and newspaper clippings from various LGBTQ+ and conservative movement groups collected by the Common Decency Coalition (later Western Equality). Groups represented in the collection include the Common Decency Coalition (later Western Equality), Human Rights Campaign, Out West Publication, and many others. Various magazine and newsletter publishers included in this collection are The Book Garden, Curve, Girlfriends, Lesbians in Colorado, Out, Right-Wing Watch, Weird Sisters, and other independent publishers. There is a significant amount of material related to Amendment #2 and various opinions surrounding it included in newspaper clippings, physical items, essays, news articles, and more.
Dates
- Creation: 1973-2004
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1990-2000
Creator
- Human Rights Campaign (U.S.) (Organization)
- Common Decency Coalition (Grand Junction (Colo.)) (Organization)
- Western Equality (Grand Junction (Colo.)) (Organization)
- Orbanek, George (Reporter, Person)
- Clinton, Bill, 1946- (Correspondent, Person)
Access to the collection
Open for research in Tomlinson Library Special Collections and Archives. Please make an appointment at archives@coloradomesa.edu to ensure staff availability.
Use of material in the collection
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Colorado Mesa University, Tomlinson Library, its administrators, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that they are an owner of copyright.
Historical Note
Materials included in the Colorado LGBTQ+ Activism collection primarily focus on the opinions and controversy of Amendment #2 in 1992, which was implemented to remove certain protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in Colorado. In addition to Amendment #2, the collection contains essays and articles combating homophobic ideologies as well as writings from organizations on the more conservative end of the spectrum. During the 1990s, there was an influx of gay rights activism demonstrated through events, protests, boycotts, and writings. Many organizations developed newsletters and pamphlets for debunking LGBTQ+ stereotypes as part of their activism. Organizations also developed informational packets for communities with accurate information about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as well as guidance on how to care for someone with these diseases.
Extent
3 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Summary
A collection of materials related to LGBTQ+ activism primarily in the Western Slope and other Colorado areas from the 1970s-2000s. Items include newspapers, newsletters, letters, memorabilia, magazines, booklets, etc.
Arrangement
The Colorado LGBTQ+ Activism collection had no discernable organization when donated . The current arrangement of the Colorado LGBTQ+ Activism collection is based on the type of materials (articles/essays, flyers, letters, publications, etc) arranged in series along with series for specific activist groups. Individual activism groups with a large number of related materials were given their own series. The entire collection is organized in alphabetical order within the series and folders. Some folders may not be in alphabetical order in the physical boxes.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Dr. Sarah Swedberg in July 2017.
- Title
- Guide to the Colorado LGBTQ+ Activism collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Emily Hall
- Date
- 2024 April 17
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Sponsor
- Processing and description completed as part of an internship for the Public History Minor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Colorado Mesa University.
Repository Details
Part of the Tomlinson Library Special Collections & Archives Repository
1100 North Avenue
Tomlinson Library
Grand Junction CO 81504 United States
archives@coloradomesa.edu