EARLY LGBTQ+ ACTIVISM IN CENTRAL PA
Gay Switchboard
The Harrisburg branch of the Gay Switchboard (later renamed the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard) was initiated in April of 1975 by GCS (Gay Community Service) with activist Jerry Brennan. Brennan invited the Philly branch of the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard to consult with GCS and CONTACT (a community service organization that helped with crisis training). Originally the Switchboard was located in the garage of local gay couple but the working conditions in this location were poor. So, the Switchboard moved to a room above the Strawberry Bar (gay bar) in downtown Harrisburg. Unfortunately, there was a fire that JOHN FOLBY (5) destroyed their records and even killed someone. (4)
“We, ourselves, were not counselors. We were not social workers, but we would direct them: ‘Here is the appropriate agency you can call.’ Sometimes people would be visiting from out of town and just call and say, ‘Where are the bars?’ So to me, given that it was such a conservative community, that in itself was a form of activism.” - John Folby (5)
Image: Flyer advertising the performance of "That Rabbit" sponsored by the Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg, 1981, LGBT-061, Dickinson College Archives
Dignity, Central PA
Dignity is an organization that caters to Catholic LGBTQ+ people, founded out of a need in the gay community for spiritual leaders, in light of conflict with religious institutions in general. Prior to a Dignity chapter being established in Central PA, Dignity already had chapters in Philly, Pittsburg, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. Jerry Brennan went to the national convention in 1975 and the national leader, Paul Diederich, encouraged him to start his own chapter in the Central PA area.
They first meeting took place on July 12, 1975 in Reading, PA at Reverend Jim Miller’s house. However, they ran into some trouble when looking for a permanent location: none of the religious spaces would rent to a gay group. Finally, the religious society of Friends (Quakers) agreed to let them rent a space in their meeting house. (6)
Reverend Wallace E. Sawdy was the chaplain for Dignity - he fully supported the idea and led masses once a month for 20 years. He also was a counselor and helped people reconcile their gay identity with their Catholicism.
They usually had some religious meeting (liturgy/service/discussion) followed by a dinner and social hour. The services would draw 15-20 people but the dinners up to 40 people and special events 100. Some of these special events included classes (on a variety of subjects from public health to coming out), film screenings, lectures, and picnics.
Dignity Central PA also had a newsletter called, The Keystone, to let people know about upcoming events and news. (6)
The Keystone Newsletter (Dignity/Central PA), March 1977, LGBT - 001, Dickinson College Archives
Reverend Wallace E. Sawdy preparing to offer mass for members of Dignity/Central PA at the Society of Friends Meeting House in Harrisburg, PA, 1985. Courtesy of LGBT-029, Dickinson College Archives.
Pin with Dignity/Central PA's logo, 1985. Courtesy of LGBT-015, Dickinson College Archives.
Members of Dignity/Central PA gathering in 1985 at the organization's 10th anniversary celebration, with invited speaker and entertainer Quentin Crisp. Left to right: Jerry Brennan (founder); Richard Hause; Quentin Crisp;William Clifford, 1985. Courtesy of LGBT-029, Dickinson College Archives.
Rifts in the Movement
The sheer size and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community means there’s never been a consensus about political priorities or strategy. During activism pre and post Stonewall, LGBTQ+ people found themselves at odds about who “belonged” in the community and how to best win over straight people.
To Come Out or Not to Come Out…
Our artist-in-residence program provides emerging and established artists with the time and space to create new work and engage with the local community. People disagreed about the role of coming out and whether being visible or not would secure LGBTQ+ liberation.
Who could be visible? What purpose did visibility serve?
“Flying in the face of respectability..”
Did LGBTQ+ people need to present a certain way to make progress?
Some people felt expressions of sexuality threatened an “respectable” image of LGBTQ+ people. There was a fear the community appeared too radical.
“[Drum Magazine] was flying in the face of respectability…Clark [Polack] came along and just slammed that to the ground and went charging ahead. Clark made them laugh, gave them pretty naked boys to look at…” (3)
DRUM magazine was a controversial gay publication which included nude photos. Read more about the history of the magazine and its impact on the Central PA LGBTQ+ community on our Richard Schlegel page.
Gay Era, April 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, Dickinson College Archives. (2)
Lavender Letters
Lavender Letters
Lavender Letters
Lavender Letter Newsletter, May, 1983. Courtesy of LGBT-022, Dickinson College Archives.
Lavender Letters:
“A calendar of events for, by and about lesbian women, in the Central Pennsylvania area” (1) - Dickinson College Archives description
Gay Era
Lavender Letters
Lavender Letters
Gay Era Newsletter, July 1976. Courtesy of LGBT-001, Dickinson College Archives.
The Gay Era
"A newspaper that reported news of interest from around the United States, with a specific focus on the news surrounding the gay community in Central PA, and provided a central forum for gay communities that were spread out across Central PA” (3) - Dickinson College Archives description
Here's How
Lavender Letters
Here's How
Here's How Newsletter, Mar., 1978. Courtesy of LGBT-008, Dickinson College Archives.
Here's How:
“Homophiles of Williamsport (HOW) was founded in 1975 to be an educational outreach and social group for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Williamsport, PA area, through monthly meetings, social events, and discussion sessions. The newsletter, Here’s How, was a way to keep group members up-to-date on news and events.” (2) - Dickinson College Archives description