Columbia LGBT records, 1961-1990, bulk 1967-1989

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Series V: Correspondence, 1970-1983

This series consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence collected by Gay People at Columbia (GPC). It is organized chronologically. Most of the correspondence consists of research inquiries from individuals, such as grade school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and professional researchers looking for assistance on a project about homosexuality, or personal inquiries from implicitly or explicitly gay-identified individuals looking for more information about homosexuality and opportunities for making connections with other homosexuals in their area or in New York City. Other individual inquiries concern requests for information about draft deferment. The national profile of Columbia's gay student organization, established by SHL's status as the first of its kind in the United States, helps to explain why GPC was treated as a default resource for those wishing to learn more about homosexuality or to meet other homosexuals. Of particular note is a copy of a letter sent by GPC to the poet W.H. Auden, responding to his request to learn more about GPC's activities and inviting him to a wine and cheese party in his honor at the gay lounge (the collection contains no evidence that such an event actually took place). Also included in the series are manuscript submissions to GPC's newsletter Pride of Lions and many completed questionnaires from students submitted for Pride of Lions' "The Closet" issue from 1973.



Box 2 Correspondence, 1970-1971


Correspondence, 1971


Educational Inquiries, 1970-1972


Educational Inquiries, 1972


Correspondence, 1971-1972


Educational Inquiries, 1973


Correspondence, 1973


Educational Inquiries, 1974


Correspondence, 1974


Mail, 1975-1981


Correspondence, 1975


GPC Correspondence, 1981-1982


Letters for Information, 1975-1982


Correspondence answered, 1983


Heuston, John -- Pride of Lions Correspondence, 1971-1972


Pride of Lions Questionnaire Responses (for "The Closet" Issue), 1972-1973


Pride of Lions Manuscript Submissions, 1970s