From: Date: Wed, 3 Aug 1994 19:53:53 -0800 National Lesbian and Gay History Month Launched! Press Release-June 24, 1994 Following endorsement by many nationally-recognized organizations and individuals (e.g. GLAAD; HRCF; GLA; Project 10; Project 21; American Historical Association Committee on Lesbian and Gay History; Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay & Lesbian Youth; Professor Martin Duberman of CUNY, Professor George Chauncey, Jr. of U. Chicago, Dr. Virginia Uribe of Project 10, Dr. Arthur Lipkin of Harvard, Dr. Karen Harbeck-author of Coming Out of the Classroom Closet;...and many others), October 1994 has been designated the first annual Lesbian and Gay History Month. Organized with the various celebration/commemoration months in mind (e.g. November's Native American Heritage Month, February's Black History Month, March's Women's History Month, etc.), NLGHM will, it is hoped, foster better understanding of the gay and lesbian past on the part of all people. October was chosen as NLGHM because October already contained National Coming Out Day (the 11th); October was the month chosen for the first and second Marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987; and because October falls within the academic calendar year, making it possible for colleges and high schools across the United States to participate in the celebration. The Lesbian & Gay History Month Coordinating Council is being organized at this time, finding its institutional home at the Gerber/Hart Gay and Lesbian Library and Archives in Chicago. Coordinating Council members currently include: Johnda Boyce, Columbus OH; Kevin Boyer, Chicago IL; Steven Capsuto, Philadelphia PA; Saralyn Chestnut, Atlanta GA; Jessea Greenman, San Francisco Bay Area, CA; Kevin Jennings, Boston MA; Rodney Wilson, St. Louis MO; and Torrey Wilson, Chicago IL. Endorsement of LGHM is simple. Simply complete the attached form and return it to Lesbian & Gay History Month, c/o Gerber/Hart Gay & Lesbian Library and Archives, 3352 N. Paulina , Chicago IL 60657; you may fax the form to 312-883-3078 or email it to Kevin Boyer, 71551.3365@COMPUSERVE.COM. People interested in contributing money for the expenses of LGHM should send their contributions to Gerber/Hart Library and Archives at the above address, attention Kevin Boyer and specifying that the funds are for LGHM. For more information, contact Kevin Boyer, 71551.3365@COMPUSERVE.COM Jessea Greenman, jessea@uclink2.berkeley.edu Steven Capsuto, STEVECAP@DELPHI.COM -------- Endorsement Form Resolved, we support the movement to establish October as Lesbian & Gay History Month. Further resolved, we will make efforts to celebrate LGHM as we deem appropriate and possible given our mission, resources, and activity schedule. Further resolved, we will send information about our celebration of LGHM to the coordinating council so that a national calendar may be compiled and published. Further resolved, we hereby allow the use of our name (as printed below) on a list of endorsing organizations and individuals to be published by the coordinating council. (Please print or type all information): Name: Contact Person(s): Address: City/State/Zip Phone Fax Email Authorized Signature Check below as appropriate: ___Please send ideas for local activities celebrating LGHM (enclose or, if emailing send along separately, a self-addressed stamped envelope with 52 cents' postage) ___Please send information about setting up a LGHM local coordinating committee--or put us in touch with other endorsing organizations in our area (enclose or, if emailing send along separately, a self-addressed stamped envelope with 52 cents' postage) ___Enclosed is a list of organizations in our area which might support LGHM. Please send them appropriate endorsement information. ___WE CAN SUPPLY RESOURCE MATERIALS having to do with ____________(particular aspect of Lesbian Gay History). Mail, fax, or email this form to Lesbian & Gay History Month, c/o Gerber/Hart Gay & Lesbian Library and Archives, 3352 N. Paulina , Chicago IL 60657; you may fax the form to 312-883-3078 or email it to Kevin Boyer, 71551.3365@COMPUSERVE.COM.