Swarthmore Gay and Lesbian Alumni Network records
Scope and Contents
This collection includes material relating to the preparation and production of "Out Together" newsletters, including correspondence between Lori Kenschaft '87 and individual alumni (often featuring memoirs of gay life at Swarthmore), address lists, and communications with the Alumni Office. There is a special file on Richard Sager '74 and the fund he created to support LGBTQ life at Swarthmore, and another special file on Michael Dukakis '55 with a letter to Dukakis from the Swarthmore Gay and Lesbian Alumni Network and a platform paper with his stance on LGBTQ political issues (but no personal letters from Dukakis himself).
Dates
- Creation: 1987 - 1989
Creator
- Swarthmore College. Gay and Lesbian Alumni Network (Organization)
Limitations on Accessing the Collection
Researchers wishing to view the "Alumni letters" file must agree to anonymize personal identifying information of that source for 70 years from the date any particular document was created. No additional restrictions beyond FHL standard regulations and policies apply to the other materials in the collection, or to the "Alumni letters" file after 70 years.
Copyright and Rights Information
Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in to the Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf Friends Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.
Biographical / Historical
In January 1987, Kate Wilson ’84 wrote to Diane Wilder ’83, Swarthmore College's assistant director of alumni relations, suggesting the formation of a network of gay and lesbian alumni. (The question of whether to include bisexual alumni would later emerge, causing controversy within the group.) The April 1987 issue of the Alumni Bulletin solicited submissions, and that autumn saw the publication of the first issue of Out Together: Swarthmore Lesbian and Gay Alumni Network. Coordinated by Wilson and Wilder and edited by Lori Kenschaft ’87, the newsletter featured class notes, cartoons, personal essays, political perspectives, project lists, histories, and mailing addresses. It lasted only a few issues.
Extent
.2 Linear Feet
Language
English
Overview
In 1987, several alumni of Swarthmore College proposed to the Alumni Office the idea of forming a gay and lesbian alumni network. The network produced several issues of a newsletter, Out Together, before apparently becoming dormant. This collection includes copies of the newsletter, letters from alumni (often featuring memoirs of gay life at Swarthmore), and other materials used for the creation and production of the newsletter.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Lori Kenschaft, 2017.
Separated Materials
A few items from the donor's years as a Swarthmore student were included in this donation. These documents (workshop script, letter to Equal Opportunity Office re: homophobic graffiti, Student Council all-campus memo re: gay/lesbian concerns letter; 1983-1987) were removed and added to the Swarthmore Queer Union (SQU) records, which form part of the Intercultural Center collection (Series 2, RG6/Q030).
Source
- Kenschaft, Lori J. (Person)
Subject
- Sager, Richard N. (Person)
- Swarthmore College -- Alumni and alumnae (Organization)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Find It at the Library
Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting reproductions from Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College Library
