Organizations
OLOC: Old Lesbians Organizing for Change
www.oloc.org
Impact Stories: An oral history project gathering stories from the California LGBT community.
http://www.impactstories.org/
OWL: The voice of midlife and older lesbians
http://www.owl-national.org/Welcome.html
NCLR: National Center for Lesbian Rights
http://www.nclrights.org
LAIN: LGBT Aging Issues Network
a branch of ASA
http://www.asaging.org/lain
ASA: American Society on Aging
http://www.asaging.org/
SAGE: Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders
http://www.sageusa.org
GRIOT: cultural and social needs of LGBT elders of color
http://www.griotcircle.org/
New Leaf Outreach to Elders: multipurpose counseling/Bay Area
(used to be GLOE: Gay & Lesbian Outreach to Elder)
http://www.newleafservices.org/
Golden Threads: social networking for older lesbians
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~goldengurl/
Silver Threads: annual social celebration for lesbians 50+
http://www.silverthreadscelebration.com/
BOLD: Bold Older Lesbian and Dykes (annual conference, lesbians 50+)
http://www.soundsandfuries.com/BOLD.html
Gay & Lesbian Association of Retired Persons
http://www.gaylesbianretiring.org
NGLTF: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
http://www.thetaskforce.org
HRC: Human Rights Campaign
http://www.hrc.org
NWHP: The National Women's History Project
http://www.nwhp.org/
For an extensive list of books, articles, videos and other references that focus on old lesbians: OLOC SUGGESTED READINGS AND VIDEOS compiled by Sally Duplaix — can be accessed at
http://www.oloc.org/resources/resources.php
books:
Encore: A Journal of the Eightieth Year by May Sarton (New York City: W. W. Norton, 1995); paperback; $13.95.
Beginning in the early 1970s, May Sarton wrote as an out lesbian about lesbians and other women, but also about love and life and how to live it. In this, her last journal, we read her perceptions on aging -- how the body tires, the spirit lifts, energy returns and projects abound.
Fierce With Reality: An Anthology of Literature on Aging, edited by Margaret Cruikshank (St. Cloud, Minn.: North Star Press, 1995); paperback, 225 pages; $14.95.
Margaret Cruikshank presents us with a collection of essays, opinions, poems and stories about aging. This international collection includes writings by gay men, lesbians and heterosexual people of diverse backgrounds who are old, are approaching old age, or are caretakers of the old.
Village Elders by Penny Coleman (Chicago: University of Illinois
Press, 2000); hardcover, 168 pages; $24.95.
Village Elders is a moving photo-documentary on the pioneering
elder LGBT community in New York City. The book features text
profiles and black-and-white portraits of a wonderfully diverse
group of older adults.
Look Me in the Eye: Old Women, Aging and Ageism, new expanded edition, by Barbara Macdonald with Cynthia Rich (Denver: Spinsters Ink Books, 2001); paperback, 192 pages; $14.00.
Originally published in 1983 and reissued in an expanded edition in 1991, this is the classic book on lesbian aging. The essays include Barbara Macdonald's scathing "Open Letter to the Women's Movement," which condemned the movement's exclusion of old women. The 2001 edition contains a new afterword by Cynthia Rich commenting on the ongoing need to challenge ageism and offering memories of coauthor Macdonald, who died in June 2000 at the age of 80.
Lesbians Over 60 Speak for Themselves by Monica Kehoe (Binghamton, N.Y.: Harrington Park Press, 1989); paperback, 111 pages; $14.95.
The author of this study interviewed 50 lesbians ages 60 and older to learn about their relationships with parents and siblings, children, husbands, and other men and women. She also asked about their social relationships in senior centers and in lesbian and gay organizations. Notable finding: "Our subjects seem to have weathered the widely held view that homosexuality is an illness better than they have been able to withstand the feeling of invalidation that accompanies aging."
Lesbian Epiphanies: Women Coming Out in Later Life by Karol L. Jensen (Binghamton, N.Y.: Harrington Park Press, 1999); paperback, 228 pages; $19.95.
This helpful, enlightening book explores the development of the sexual identity of women in the United States today and provides social services and healthcare professionals with essential information to help them improve services to lesbian and bisexual women. The author analyzes her interviews of 24 women who came out as lesbians or bisexuals after a heterosexual marriage, offering clear insights and possible solutions to the difficulties and issues involved.
Lambda Gray: A Practical, Emotional and Spiritual Guide for Gays and Lesbians Who Are Growing Older, edited by Karen Westerberg Reyes (North Hollywood, Calif.: Newcastle Publishing, 1994); paperback, 179 pages; out of print.
This book presents a balanced account of the varied life experiences and continuing quests of older lesbians and gay men. The resources sections include a still-useful look at the literature; the listings for organizations and hotlines are, however, largely out of date. For an in-depth review, see the winter 1994 issue of OutWord.
Sisters by Heart: Partners in Aging by Mary Lou Fuller, et al. (Durham, N.H.: KALM Publishing, 2001); paperback, 144 pages; $14.95.
An insightful and humorous account of the life and love of two women in their 70s whose 20-year relationship began with a chance meeting. "Respect the crones within," the book says, "they are the keepers of wisdom" -- and indeed they are, as they embrace and celebrate aging within the context of their devotion to each other.
Midlife Lesbian Relationships: Friends, Lovers, Children and Parents, edited by Marcy Adelman (Binghamton, N.Y.: Harrington Park Press, 2000); paperback, 162 pages, $19.95.
From dating through the loss of parents, this book for lesbians and those who counsel them explores the rich world of lesbian relationships at midlife. Offering both theoretical and descriptive material, this timely work provides insight into the opportunities and challenges that lesbians encounter in middle age. For an in-depth review of this book, see the summer 2001 issue of OutWord.
Social Services for Senior Gay Men and Lesbians, edited by Jean K. Quam (Binghamton, N.Y.: Harrington Park Press, 1997); paperback, 142 pages; $15.95.
Edited by LAIN Leadership Council member Jean K. Quam, this collection of essays explores the diversity of interests and social service needs of older gay men and lesbians. The book helps fill the gap in knowledge about this often isolated and underserved population, offering a useful resource for professionals interested in providing gay and lesbian older adults with appropriate services.
Periodical Publications
Sinister Wisdom: multicultural journal by and for lesbians
http://www.sinisterwisdom.org/
OLOC Reporter: quarterly newsletter of Old Lesbian Organizing for Change
Reports:
Put out by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)
Outing Age: Public policy issues affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender elders http:///www.thetaskforce.org/reports_and_research/outing_age_2010
Date: 2010
Lifelines: Documents to Protect You and Your Family (pdf)
http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=issue_elderLaw
This publication contains information about essential documents that will help you protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of illness, disability, or death.
Videos/movies:
OLOC has a library of videos/DVDs focusing on old lesbians that can be rented. To access their list, go to http://www.oloc.org/resources/library.php
Living With Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100, directed by Yvonne Welbon (Chicago: Our Film Works, 1999); 60 minutes; $30.00.
A great movie depicting the life and times of Ruth Ellis, an African American lesbian living in Detroit. We see Ruth "discovering the lesbians" at the Michigan Women's Music Festival when she was in her early 90s; in addition, we learn about the history of black lesbians as we get to know this wonderful woman.
SAGE: A Family Portrait, produced by Senior Action in a Gay Environment (New York City: SAGE, 1991); 27 minutes; $25.00. Available through SAGE; (212) 741-2241; e-mail: sageusa@aol.com; Web: http://www.sageusa.org.
This documentary profiles participants in the programs of Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE), the pioneering social services provider for LGBT elders in New York City. This video would be a useful tool to raise awareness of LGBT aging issues among professionals working with old people. The video profiles the organization's programs, including friendly visitors, trips and tours, socials, exercise sessions and discussion groups. SAGE participants also discuss their feelings about aging, as well as the enjoyment and hope they receive from being active in SAGE.
Some Ground to Stand On, directed by Joyce Warshow (1998); 35 minutes; $195.00 (purchase), $65.00 (rental). To order, vist the website of the distributor, Women Make Movies, at
http://wmm.com.
This compelling documentary tells the life story of Blue Lunden, now in her 60s, a working-class lesbian activist whose personal life chronicles 40 years of changes in lesbian identity and consciousness.
Golden Threads, directed by Lucy Winer & Karen Eaton (1999); 56 minutes; $295.00 (purchase), $90.00 (rental). To order, visit the website of the distributor, Women Make Movies, at
http://wmm.com.
This documentary profiles the life of the late lesbian activist Christine Burton, who founded the Golden Threads contact newsletter for older lesbians. The video generates an intergenerational dialogue about sexuality, life choices and aging by adding the director's wry and introspective narrative about her midlife crisis. The producers are currently putting together a study guide to support educational uses of the video.
Companions: Tales From the Closet, directed by Cecilia Neant-Falk & Nina Bergstrom (1996); 55 minutes; in Swedish with English subtitles; $39.95.
This documentary features five Swedish lesbians ages 60 to 75. The women talk about their lives, their experiences coming out during more repressive times, and their political activism.
Beauty Before Age: A Film About Growing Older in Gay Culture, directed by Johnny Symons (New Day Films, 1998); 22 minutes; $79.00. Order from the distributor at http://www.newday.com.
Presented as a series of vignettes and interviews, Beauty Before Age tackles the gulf that divides younger and older gay men. Men of various ages speak frankly about their feelings about growing old, the invisibility of older gay men in LGBT communities, and the impact of AIDS. For an in-depth review, see the spring 1999 issue of OutWord.
If These Walls Could Talk 2, directed by Martha Coolidge, Jane Anderson & Anne Heche (HBO, 2000); 90 minutes; $14.95.
This critically praised feature film depicts the joys and struggles of several white lesbians who have lived during different eras in the same house. In the first segment, set in 1961, Vanessa Redgrave provides a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of an older woman forced to move out of the home she had created with her recently deceased lover.
Nitrate Kisses, directed by Barbara Hammer (1992); 67 minutes; black and white; $19.95.
This experimental documentary interweaves historical images with beautifully shot, sexually explicit footage of old lesbian and gay couples making love -- a rare instance of erotic imagery escaping the exploitation and youth-fixation that dominate commercial pornography.
Silent Pioneers: Gay and Lesbian Elders, directed by Pat Snyder, et al. (Water Bearer Films, 1985); 42 minutes; $39.99.
One of the best documentaries for sensitizing both LGBT and heterosexual groups to issues of aging and sexuality. This video includes particularly wonderful interviews with two men who have been in a relationship for 55 years and with an African American grandmother.
Voicing the Legacy, directed by Eleanor Savage (1996); 35 minutes; $25.00. To order, contact the director at (612) 375-7657 or esavage@mtn.org.
In this documentary, 11 warm and funny older lesbians ages 50-68 from Minnesota's Twin Cities sit in a circle and talk about their lives past and present. They focus on a series of topics such as coming out, invisibility and intergenerational issues, and end speaking positively about old age. The movie features LAIN member Nancy Edwards. For an in-depth review, see the spring 1997 issue of OutWord.
Archives (only some are exclusively GLBT)
Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College
http://www.smith.edu/libraries/libs/ssc/about.html
The Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College is an internationally recognized repository of manuscripts, archives, photographs, periodicals and other primary sources in women's history. It was founded in 1942 to be the library's distinctive contribution to the college's mission of educating women. The Old Lesbian Oral Herstory archives will be housed here beginning in 2011.
The June Mazer Archives
http://mazerlesbianarchives.org
The Mazer is the largest major archive on the West Coast dedicated to preserving and promoting lesbian and feminist history and culture. It recently began an affiliation with UCLA.
The Lesbian Herstory Archives of New York City
http://www.lesbianherstoryarchives.org
The Lesbian Herstory Archive of NYC is the largest and oldest Lesbian archive in the world, began in 1973 as an outgrowth of a Lesbian consciousness-raising group at the Gay Academic Union. The founders were concerned about the failure of mainstream publishers, libraries, archives, and research institutions to value Lesbian culture. It became obvious that the only way to insure the preservation of Lesbian culture and history was to establish an independent archives governed by Lesbians.
The University of MN: Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies
http://special.lib.umn.edu/rare/tretter.phtml
The Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies houses over 30,000 items in a wide variety of media. The collection is international in scope and has materials in approximately 58 languages.
Cornell University Library: Human Sexuality Collection
website: http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/HSC/default.htm
The Human Sexuality Collection seeks to preserve and make accessible primary sources that document historical shifts in the social construction of sexuality, with a focus on U.S. lesbian and gay history and the politics of pornography.
Lambda Archives
http://www.lambdaarchives.org/
The mission of the Lambda Archives of San Diego (LASD) is to collect, preserve, and teach the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the San Diego and Northern Baja California region.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives
http://www.onearchives.org/
The ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives houses the world's largest research library on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,and Transgendered heritage and concerns.
OLOC: Old Lesbians Organizing for Change
www.oloc.org
Impact Stories: An oral history project gathering stories from the California LGBT community.
http://www.impactstories.org/
OWL: The voice of midlife and older lesbians
http://www.owl-national.org/Welcome.html
NCLR: National Center for Lesbian Rights
http://www.nclrights.org
LAIN: LGBT Aging Issues Network
a branch of ASA
http://www.asaging.org/lain
ASA: American Society on Aging
http://www.asaging.org/
SAGE: Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders
http://www.sageusa.org
GRIOT: cultural and social needs of LGBT elders of color
http://www.griotcircle.org/
New Leaf Outreach to Elders: multipurpose counseling/Bay Area
(used to be GLOE: Gay & Lesbian Outreach to Elder)
http://www.newleafservices.org/
Golden Threads: social networking for older lesbians
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~goldengurl/
Silver Threads: annual social celebration for lesbians 50+
http://www.silverthreadscelebration.com/
BOLD: Bold Older Lesbian and Dykes (annual conference, lesbians 50+)
http://www.soundsandfuries.com/BOLD.html
Gay & Lesbian Association of Retired Persons
http://www.gaylesbianretiring.org
NGLTF: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
http://www.thetaskforce.org
HRC: Human Rights Campaign
http://www.hrc.org
NWHP: The National Women's History Project
http://www.nwhp.org/
For an extensive list of books, articles, videos and other references that focus on old lesbians: OLOC SUGGESTED READINGS AND VIDEOS compiled by Sally Duplaix — can be accessed at
http://www.oloc.org/resources/resources.php
books:
Encore: A Journal of the Eightieth Year by May Sarton (New York City: W. W. Norton, 1995); paperback; $13.95.
Beginning in the early 1970s, May Sarton wrote as an out lesbian about lesbians and other women, but also about love and life and how to live it. In this, her last journal, we read her perceptions on aging -- how the body tires, the spirit lifts, energy returns and projects abound.
Fierce With Reality: An Anthology of Literature on Aging, edited by Margaret Cruikshank (St. Cloud, Minn.: North Star Press, 1995); paperback, 225 pages; $14.95.
Margaret Cruikshank presents us with a collection of essays, opinions, poems and stories about aging. This international collection includes writings by gay men, lesbians and heterosexual people of diverse backgrounds who are old, are approaching old age, or are caretakers of the old.
Village Elders by Penny Coleman (Chicago: University of Illinois
Press, 2000); hardcover, 168 pages; $24.95.
Village Elders is a moving photo-documentary on the pioneering
elder LGBT community in New York City. The book features text
profiles and black-and-white portraits of a wonderfully diverse
group of older adults.
Look Me in the Eye: Old Women, Aging and Ageism, new expanded edition, by Barbara Macdonald with Cynthia Rich (Denver: Spinsters Ink Books, 2001); paperback, 192 pages; $14.00.
Originally published in 1983 and reissued in an expanded edition in 1991, this is the classic book on lesbian aging. The essays include Barbara Macdonald's scathing "Open Letter to the Women's Movement," which condemned the movement's exclusion of old women. The 2001 edition contains a new afterword by Cynthia Rich commenting on the ongoing need to challenge ageism and offering memories of coauthor Macdonald, who died in June 2000 at the age of 80.
Lesbians Over 60 Speak for Themselves by Monica Kehoe (Binghamton, N.Y.: Harrington Park Press, 1989); paperback, 111 pages; $14.95.
The author of this study interviewed 50 lesbians ages 60 and older to learn about their relationships with parents and siblings, children, husbands, and other men and women. She also asked about their social relationships in senior centers and in lesbian and gay organizations. Notable finding: "Our subjects seem to have weathered the widely held view that homosexuality is an illness better than they have been able to withstand the feeling of invalidation that accompanies aging."
Lesbian Epiphanies: Women Coming Out in Later Life by Karol L. Jensen (Binghamton, N.Y.: Harrington Park Press, 1999); paperback, 228 pages; $19.95.
This helpful, enlightening book explores the development of the sexual identity of women in the United States today and provides social services and healthcare professionals with essential information to help them improve services to lesbian and bisexual women. The author analyzes her interviews of 24 women who came out as lesbians or bisexuals after a heterosexual marriage, offering clear insights and possible solutions to the difficulties and issues involved.
Lambda Gray: A Practical, Emotional and Spiritual Guide for Gays and Lesbians Who Are Growing Older, edited by Karen Westerberg Reyes (North Hollywood, Calif.: Newcastle Publishing, 1994); paperback, 179 pages; out of print.
This book presents a balanced account of the varied life experiences and continuing quests of older lesbians and gay men. The resources sections include a still-useful look at the literature; the listings for organizations and hotlines are, however, largely out of date. For an in-depth review, see the winter 1994 issue of OutWord.
Sisters by Heart: Partners in Aging by Mary Lou Fuller, et al. (Durham, N.H.: KALM Publishing, 2001); paperback, 144 pages; $14.95.
An insightful and humorous account of the life and love of two women in their 70s whose 20-year relationship began with a chance meeting. "Respect the crones within," the book says, "they are the keepers of wisdom" -- and indeed they are, as they embrace and celebrate aging within the context of their devotion to each other.
Midlife Lesbian Relationships: Friends, Lovers, Children and Parents, edited by Marcy Adelman (Binghamton, N.Y.: Harrington Park Press, 2000); paperback, 162 pages, $19.95.
From dating through the loss of parents, this book for lesbians and those who counsel them explores the rich world of lesbian relationships at midlife. Offering both theoretical and descriptive material, this timely work provides insight into the opportunities and challenges that lesbians encounter in middle age. For an in-depth review of this book, see the summer 2001 issue of OutWord.
Social Services for Senior Gay Men and Lesbians, edited by Jean K. Quam (Binghamton, N.Y.: Harrington Park Press, 1997); paperback, 142 pages; $15.95.
Edited by LAIN Leadership Council member Jean K. Quam, this collection of essays explores the diversity of interests and social service needs of older gay men and lesbians. The book helps fill the gap in knowledge about this often isolated and underserved population, offering a useful resource for professionals interested in providing gay and lesbian older adults with appropriate services.
Periodical Publications
Sinister Wisdom: multicultural journal by and for lesbians
http://www.sinisterwisdom.org/
OLOC Reporter: quarterly newsletter of Old Lesbian Organizing for Change
Reports:
Put out by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)
Outing Age: Public policy issues affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender elders http:///www.thetaskforce.org/reports_and_research/outing_age_2010
Date: 2010
Lifelines: Documents to Protect You and Your Family (pdf)
http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=issue_elderLaw
This publication contains information about essential documents that will help you protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of illness, disability, or death.
Videos/movies:
OLOC has a library of videos/DVDs focusing on old lesbians that can be rented. To access their list, go to http://www.oloc.org/resources/library.php
Living With Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100, directed by Yvonne Welbon (Chicago: Our Film Works, 1999); 60 minutes; $30.00.
A great movie depicting the life and times of Ruth Ellis, an African American lesbian living in Detroit. We see Ruth "discovering the lesbians" at the Michigan Women's Music Festival when she was in her early 90s; in addition, we learn about the history of black lesbians as we get to know this wonderful woman.
SAGE: A Family Portrait, produced by Senior Action in a Gay Environment (New York City: SAGE, 1991); 27 minutes; $25.00. Available through SAGE; (212) 741-2241; e-mail: sageusa@aol.com; Web: http://www.sageusa.org.
This documentary profiles participants in the programs of Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE), the pioneering social services provider for LGBT elders in New York City. This video would be a useful tool to raise awareness of LGBT aging issues among professionals working with old people. The video profiles the organization's programs, including friendly visitors, trips and tours, socials, exercise sessions and discussion groups. SAGE participants also discuss their feelings about aging, as well as the enjoyment and hope they receive from being active in SAGE.
Some Ground to Stand On, directed by Joyce Warshow (1998); 35 minutes; $195.00 (purchase), $65.00 (rental). To order, vist the website of the distributor, Women Make Movies, at
http://wmm.com.
This compelling documentary tells the life story of Blue Lunden, now in her 60s, a working-class lesbian activist whose personal life chronicles 40 years of changes in lesbian identity and consciousness.
Golden Threads, directed by Lucy Winer & Karen Eaton (1999); 56 minutes; $295.00 (purchase), $90.00 (rental). To order, visit the website of the distributor, Women Make Movies, at
http://wmm.com.
This documentary profiles the life of the late lesbian activist Christine Burton, who founded the Golden Threads contact newsletter for older lesbians. The video generates an intergenerational dialogue about sexuality, life choices and aging by adding the director's wry and introspective narrative about her midlife crisis. The producers are currently putting together a study guide to support educational uses of the video.
Companions: Tales From the Closet, directed by Cecilia Neant-Falk & Nina Bergstrom (1996); 55 minutes; in Swedish with English subtitles; $39.95.
This documentary features five Swedish lesbians ages 60 to 75. The women talk about their lives, their experiences coming out during more repressive times, and their political activism.
Beauty Before Age: A Film About Growing Older in Gay Culture, directed by Johnny Symons (New Day Films, 1998); 22 minutes; $79.00. Order from the distributor at http://www.newday.com.
Presented as a series of vignettes and interviews, Beauty Before Age tackles the gulf that divides younger and older gay men. Men of various ages speak frankly about their feelings about growing old, the invisibility of older gay men in LGBT communities, and the impact of AIDS. For an in-depth review, see the spring 1999 issue of OutWord.
If These Walls Could Talk 2, directed by Martha Coolidge, Jane Anderson & Anne Heche (HBO, 2000); 90 minutes; $14.95.
This critically praised feature film depicts the joys and struggles of several white lesbians who have lived during different eras in the same house. In the first segment, set in 1961, Vanessa Redgrave provides a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of an older woman forced to move out of the home she had created with her recently deceased lover.
Nitrate Kisses, directed by Barbara Hammer (1992); 67 minutes; black and white; $19.95.
This experimental documentary interweaves historical images with beautifully shot, sexually explicit footage of old lesbian and gay couples making love -- a rare instance of erotic imagery escaping the exploitation and youth-fixation that dominate commercial pornography.
Silent Pioneers: Gay and Lesbian Elders, directed by Pat Snyder, et al. (Water Bearer Films, 1985); 42 minutes; $39.99.
One of the best documentaries for sensitizing both LGBT and heterosexual groups to issues of aging and sexuality. This video includes particularly wonderful interviews with two men who have been in a relationship for 55 years and with an African American grandmother.
Voicing the Legacy, directed by Eleanor Savage (1996); 35 minutes; $25.00. To order, contact the director at (612) 375-7657 or esavage@mtn.org.
In this documentary, 11 warm and funny older lesbians ages 50-68 from Minnesota's Twin Cities sit in a circle and talk about their lives past and present. They focus on a series of topics such as coming out, invisibility and intergenerational issues, and end speaking positively about old age. The movie features LAIN member Nancy Edwards. For an in-depth review, see the spring 1997 issue of OutWord.
Archives (only some are exclusively GLBT)
Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College
http://www.smith.edu/libraries/libs/ssc/about.html
The Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College is an internationally recognized repository of manuscripts, archives, photographs, periodicals and other primary sources in women's history. It was founded in 1942 to be the library's distinctive contribution to the college's mission of educating women. The Old Lesbian Oral Herstory archives will be housed here beginning in 2011.
The June Mazer Archives
http://mazerlesbianarchives.org
The Mazer is the largest major archive on the West Coast dedicated to preserving and promoting lesbian and feminist history and culture. It recently began an affiliation with UCLA.
The Lesbian Herstory Archives of New York City
http://www.lesbianherstoryarchives.org
The Lesbian Herstory Archive of NYC is the largest and oldest Lesbian archive in the world, began in 1973 as an outgrowth of a Lesbian consciousness-raising group at the Gay Academic Union. The founders were concerned about the failure of mainstream publishers, libraries, archives, and research institutions to value Lesbian culture. It became obvious that the only way to insure the preservation of Lesbian culture and history was to establish an independent archives governed by Lesbians.
The University of MN: Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies
http://special.lib.umn.edu/rare/tretter.phtml
The Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies houses over 30,000 items in a wide variety of media. The collection is international in scope and has materials in approximately 58 languages.
Cornell University Library: Human Sexuality Collection
website: http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/HSC/default.htm
The Human Sexuality Collection seeks to preserve and make accessible primary sources that document historical shifts in the social construction of sexuality, with a focus on U.S. lesbian and gay history and the politics of pornography.
Lambda Archives
http://www.lambdaarchives.org/
The mission of the Lambda Archives of San Diego (LASD) is to collect, preserve, and teach the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the San Diego and Northern Baja California region.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives
http://www.onearchives.org/
The ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives houses the world's largest research library on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,and Transgendered heritage and concerns.
