The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Alan Amberg Gay History Collection 1924-2008
© 2018 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Amberg, Alan. Gay History Collection |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1924-2008 |
| Size: | 9.75 linear feet (12 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | The materials in this collection were gathered by Alan Amberg as well as his partner, the late Jerry Cohen. Materials cover a wide range of gay and lesbian subject matter, including the beginnings of the Gay Pride Movement in Chicago in the early 1970s; Chicago gay and lesbian organizations and culture during the 1970s-1990s; a substantial amount of material on the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights (October 11, 1987); gay and lesbian publications from the 1970s to the first decade of the 21st century; as well as a modest collection of "The Little Blue Book" series (1924-1930), with volumes that focus on marriage and sex. Although the collection contains some personal papers, especially correspondence relating to Cohen's death, the bulk of the material consists of newsletters, articles, clippings, reports, and audio-visual selections. Materials date from 1924 to 2008, with the bulk of the materials dating from the 1970 to 2000. |
The collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Amberg, Alan. Gay History Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Alan Amberg founded LesBiGay Radio in 1994; in 1998, the organization was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Amberg was also a columnist for Gay Chicago Magazine, writing on various subjects related to gay and lesbian business. In addition to his accomplishments in journalism and radio, in 2003 Amberg taught Women's and Gender Studies at the Humboldt University of Berlin and the University of Bremen.
His partner Jerrold "Jerry" Cohen (1943 – 1991) was the co-founder and Treasurer of the Chicago Gay Alliance, co-founder of the Chi-Town Squares (a gay and lesbian square dance organization), and Treasurer of Toddlin' Town Performing Arts. Cohen was also an accomplished photographer throughout the gay and lesbian community, contributing his work to the Chicago Gay Alliance Newsletter, the Chicago Gay Crusader, GayLife, BlueBoy, Man's Country, the International Mr. Leather competitions, and others. He even established his own photography studio, A Thousand Words, Unlimited. Cohen began his deep involvement in gay and lesbian community life in 1969 by attending the University of Chicago gay liberation meetings; he was posthumously inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 1993.
The Alan Amberg Gay History Collection is organized into 7 series:
Series I: Personal Papers; this series contains, primarily, correspondence concerning the death of Amberg's partner, Jerry Cohen, as well as buttons related to gay and lesbian rights initiatives in the 1980s. Materials date from 1980 to 2002 and are arranged chronologically.
Series II: Subject Files; this series contains newsletters, correspondence, clippings, etc., related to specific publications, organizations, and events, including Advocates of Gay Action, the International Gay and Lesbian Archives, and the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Materials date from 1924 to 2007 and are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series III: Writings; this series contains Amberg's articles, speeches, and presentations, primarily his column entitled "Our Business" featured in Gay Chicago Magazine. Materials date from 1991 to 2003 and are arranged first alphabetically by title, then chronologically.
Series IV: Writings by Others; the primary item in this series is a typescript draft of Eric Presland's play entitled The Tea Trolley, or A Midsummer Night Scream (1983). Materials date from 1983 to 1991 and are arranged alphabetically by author's last name.
Series V: Jerry Cohen Papers; this series contains correspondence and clippings related to Jerry Cohen's photography for International Mr. Leather, Blueboy Inc., and other gay publications and organizations. Materials date from 1975 to 1982 and are arranged chronologically.
Series VI: Audio-Visual; this series contains music, videos, and recordings of gay and lesbian culture and concerns, including the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, the Chicago Gay Pride Parade, and Chicago gay history. Materials date from 1970 to 2008 and are arranged first by type, then alphabetically by title.
Series VII: Oversize; this series contains clippings, photographs, and posters pertaining to various subjects, including LesBiGay Radio, the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Materials date from 1970 to 2000 and are arranged first by type, then chronologically.
Cohen, Jerry, Photograph Collection
LesBiGay Radio Records
Series I: Personal |
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Buttons Related to Gay and Lesbian Rights Issues, circa 1980-1989 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Twelve Step Program – Correspondence and Pamphlets, 1983-1985 |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Omicron Delta Kappa (ΟΔΚ) – Alumni Highlights, circa 1991 |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Correspondence – Condolences related to Jerry Cohen's death, 1992 |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Correspondence – South Shore Hospital HIV Program, 2002 |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | Business Cards, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Doral Plaza – Brochures, undated |
Series II: Subject Files |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Advocates of Gay Action – Pamphlets and Advertisements, circa 1972 |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Chicago Gay Alliance – Newsletters, 1970-1971 |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | Chicago Gay Alliance – Introduction, Constitution, and Political Platform, 1970-1972 |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame – Correspondence, Nomination Form, and Newsletter, 1993 |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | Chicago Gay Liberation – Newsletters, 1970 |
| Box 1 Folder 13 | Chicago Medicine Magazine, 2004-2005 |
| Box 1 Folder 14 | Chi-Town Squares – Correspondence, Clippings, and Newsletters, 1988-1990 |
| Box 1 Folder 15 | Chi-Town Squares – Photographs, 1988-1990 |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Community Northwest – Vol. 1, No. 2, 1991 |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Deathwatch – Play by Genet – Advertisement, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Democratic Party of Illinois – Correspondence, Clippings, Press Releases, 1990 |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Democratic Party of Illinois – "How Can I be Heard?" – Pamphlet, 1990 |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Diverse Communications and Health Media Foundation, Inc., 2003 |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Fortune Magazine – "Gay in Corporate America" – Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 13, No. 51 – Full Issue, 1990 |
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Gay Liberation – Newsletter, 1970 |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Gay Life: The Midwest Gay Newsletter – Clippings, circa 1970-1989 |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | Gay Pride Movement – Related Organizations – Correspondence, Newsletters, and Pamphlets, 1980-1986 |
| Box 2 Folder 11 | Himages: Original Designs by Bruce Cegar – Advertisements, Order Form, and Photographs, 1980 |
| Box 2 Folder 12 | International Gay and Lesbian Archives – Newsletters, 1981-1984 |
| Box 2 Folder 13 | Invest in IMPACT – 5th Annual Founder's Gala – Program and Guide, 1992 |
| Box 3 Folder 1 | Little Blue Books, 1924-1930 |
| Box 3 Folder 2 | Man's Country Pin-Up Calendar – Notes and Calendar, 1976 |
| Box 3 Folder 3 | Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center, 2004 [1/2] |
| Box 3 Folder 4 | Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center, 2004 [1/2] |
| Box 3 Folder 5 | Moderator's Guide – Begin Again, 2000 |
| Box 3 Folder 6 | Newsweek Magazine – "Gay America" and "Gay Students" – Photocopies and Full Issues, 1983-1984 |
| Box 3 Folder 7 | Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center – Panel on Clinical Practices for the Treatment of HIV Infection, 2000 |
| Box 3 Folder 8 | Shared Practices: Managing Patients Living with HIV/AIDS, 2007 [1/2] |
| Box 3 Folder 9 | Shared Practices: Managing Patients Living with HIV/AIDS, 2007 [2/2] |
| Box 3 Folder 10 | Shocking Gray – Gay and Lesbian Catalog, 1991 |
| Box 4 Folder 1 | Teaching in Germany – Correspondence and Reading Materials, 1990-2002 |
| Box 4 Folder 2 | Toddlin' Town Performing Arts, Inc. – Correspondence, Reports, and Budgets, 1980-1983 |
| Box 4 Folder 3 | Travel Guides for London and San Francisco, 1980-1983 |
| Box 4 Folder 4 | University of Maryland – Gay and Lesbian Jewish Life – Newsletters and Clippings, 1984-1988 |
| Box 4 Folder 5 | University of Maryland – Gay Organizations and Events – Correspondence, Announcements, and Clippings, 1981-1982 |
| Box 4 Folder 6 | Washington D.C. Area – Gay and Lesbian Issues – Clippings, 1980 |
Series III: Writings |
| Box 4 Folder 7 | Case Presentation: A Low Cost Complete Social Marketing Infrastructure – Printed Copies of Powerpoint Presentation, 2003 |
| Box 4 Folder 8 | Gays and Lesbians Reinvent "Family Values" – Conscious Choice – Clippings, 1992 |
| Box 4 Folder 9 | Keeping the Promises You Make… – National Minority AIDS Council – Printed Copies of Powerpoint Presentation, undated |
| Box 4 Folder 10 | Our Business – Gay Dollars: Part 1 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 14 – Clippings and Full Issues, 1991 |
| Box 4 Folder 11 | Our Business – Gay Dollars: Part 2 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 15 – Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 4 Folder 12 | Our Business – Gay Dollars: Part 3 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 17 – Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 4 Folder 13 | Our Business – Doing What You Love – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 19 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 4 Folder 14 | Our Business – The Leather Ed Sullivan Show – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 21 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 4 Folder 15 | Our Business – Andersonville Business Snapshots – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 23 – Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 4 Folder 16 | Our Business – A Look at Tom Tunney of Ann Sather – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 25 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 1 | Our Business – Do It Yourself… Part 1 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 27 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 2 | Our Business – Do It Yourself… Part 2 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 29 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 3 | Our Business – What Makes a Gay Resort: Part 1 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 31 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 4 | Our Business – Focus + Quality + Staying Power = Success! – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 35 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 5 | Our Business – Potpourri – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 37 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 6 | Our Business – The New "Old Boy Network": Part 2 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 41 – Clippings and Photocopy, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 7 | Our Business – Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is… Part 1 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 43 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 8 | Our Business – Public Relations 101: Or Dress Your Issues for Success – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 45 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 9 | Our Business – Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is… Part 2 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 47 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 10 | Our Business – New Year's Wishes and Resolutions – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 15, No. 3 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1992 |
| Box 5 Folder 11 | Our Business – Potpourri – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 15, No. 8 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1992 |
| Box 5 Folder 12 | Our Business – Public Relations 102 – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 15, No. 12 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1992 |
| Box 5 Folder 13 | Our Business – Harassment – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 15, No. 14 – Clippings and Full Issue, 1992 |
| Box 5 Folder 14 | Speeches – Monograph and Typescript Drafts, 1981-1987 |
| Box 5 Folder 15 | Wilmont: For Those Coming to Chicago – Gay Chicago Magazine – Vol. 14, No. 14 – Clippings and Full Issues, 1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 16 | Working With Creative Professionals – Talking to the Boss – Photocopies, 1992 |
Series IV: Writings by Others |
| Box 6 Folder 1 | Jay Mortensen – Color Trends Drawn from Global Influences – Photocopies, 1991 |
| Box 6 Folder 2 | Eric Presland – The Tea Trolley, or A Midsummer Night Scream – Typescript Draft, 1983 |
| Box 6 Folder 3 | Unidentified Scripts, undated |
Series V: Jerry Cohen Papers |
| Box 6 Folder 4 | Gay Press Association – Correspondence, Monograph Notes, Newsletters, and Clippings, 1975-1981 |
| Box 6 Folder 5 | Published Photographs by Jerry Cohen – Blueboy, Clothesdick, and Numbers – Magazines and Clippings, 1977-1982 |
| Box 6 Folder 6 | International Mr. Leather and Blueboy Inc. – Correspondence and Monograph Notes, 1980-1981 |
Series VI: Audio-Visual |
| Box 7 | Audio Cassette - Ain't it a Grand and Glorious Noise! - San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, 1980 |
| Box 7 | Audio Cassette - Take Control: The result is in you (2 Copies), 1999 |
| Box 7 | Audio Cassette - Toma Control: El resultado está en tí (2 Copies), 1999 |
| Box 7 | Audio Cassette - What's it Mean?: HIV Lab Tests & You, 2000 |
| Box 7 | Audio Cassette - ¿Qué Significa?: Pruebas de Labratorios para ti y el V.I.H., 2000 |
| Box 7 | Audio Cassette - 5 Unlabeled Cassette Tapes |
| Box 7 | CD - Boy George and Culture Club: at Worst… the Best of, 1993 |
| Box 7 | CD - Cher: Believe, 1998 |
| Box 7 | CD - Catie Curtis: Truth from Lies, 1996 |
| Box 7 | CD - Melissa Etheridge: Your Little Secret, 1995 |
| Box 7 | CD - Michael Feinstein: Pure Gershwin, 1987 |
| Box 7 | CD - George Friedrich Handel: Concerti a du cori, 1997 |
| Box 7 | CD - Eddie Izzard: Definite Article, 1996 |
| Box 7 | CD - Eddie Izzard: Unrepeatable Live, 1995 |
| Box 7 | CD - Paula James: Special Request, 2002 |
| Box 7 | CD - Nedra Johnson: Testify, 1998 |
| Box 7 | CD - Patti LaBelle: Love Songs, 2000 |
| Box 7 | CD - K.D. Lang: Invincible Sampler, 2000 |
| Box 7 | CD - K.D. Lang: Shadowland, 1988 |
| Box 7 | CD – Stephen Lewis - Massey Lectures: Race Against Time, 2005 |
| Box 7 | CD - George Michael: Faith, 1987 |
| Box 7 | CD - Bette Midler: Experience the Divine, 1993 |
| Box 7 | CD - Morrissey: The Best Of, 2001 |
| Box 7 | CD - RuPaul: Supermodel of the World, 1993 |
| Box 7 | CD - Suzanne Palmer, 1999 |
| Box 7 | CD – Various Artists - The Derivative Duo: Opera for the masses, 1993 |
| Box 7 | CD – Various Artists - Glad to be Gay, 1998 |
| Box 7 | CD – Various Artists - I Am Woman, 1996 |
| Box 7 | CD – Various Artists - Jeffrey Soundtrack, 1995 |
| Box 7 | CD - Village People: The Best Of, 1994 |
| Box 7 | CD – Honey West: Take Honey West Home, 1997 |
| Box 8 | VHS - A Beautiful Mind/Queer Eyes, undated |
| Box 8 | VHS - Chicago Gay Men's Chorus: H.M.S. Pinafore, 2000 |
| Box 8 | VHS - Chicago Pride Invitational: Our Crowning Touch, 1999 |
| Box 8 | VHS - Chitrahar, July 24, 2004 |
| Box 8 | VHS - Chitrahar, December 18, 2004 |
| Box 8 | VHS - For My Kids & Good Safe Loving - Diverse Communications, 2004 |
| Box 8 | VHS - For My Kids & Good Safe Loving - Diverse Communications, 2004 |
| Box 8 | VHS - For My Kids & Good Safe Loving - Diverse Communications, 2004 |
| Box 8 | VHS - For My Kids & Good Safe Loving - Diverse Communications, 2004 |
| Box 8 | VHS - Kevin's Room, 2001 |
| Box 8 | VHS - Kevin's Room 2 - Trust, 2003 |
| Box 9 | VHS - Oprah/Ellen, undated |
| Box 9 | VHS - Truth in Action: "Broadcast Media: Multi-Voices," 2000 |
| Box 9 | VHS - The Times of Harvey Milk, 1984 |
| Box 9 | VHS - Velvet Goldmine, 1998 |
| Box 9 | VHS - What Makes a Family? – Lifetime Original Movie, 2001 |
| Box 9 | Betamax Digital Video Cassette - Boat Cruise Along Chicago Lakefront - Color Silent, 3:47 Minutes, 1970 (For Access to Master and Copy, Please See Staff) |
| Box 9 | Betamax Digital Video Cassette - Allerton Park PKMC and Gay Pride Parade - Color Silent, 29:01 Minutes, 1970 (For Access to Master and Copy, Please See Staff) |
| Box 9 | Betamax Digital Video Cassette - Gay Pride Parade - Color Silent, 9:37 Minutes, 1970 (For Access to Master and Copy, Please See Staff) |
| Box 10 | Film Reel - Boat Cruise Along Chicago Lakefront - Color Silent, 3:47 Minutes, 1970 |
| Box 10 | Film Reel - Allerton Park PKMC and Gay Pride Parade - Color Silent - 29:01 Minutes, 1970 |
| Box 10 | Film Reel - Gay Pride Parade - Color Silent, 9:37 Minutes, 1970 |
| Box 10 | DVD - Hedwig and the Angry Inch, 2001 |
| Box 10 | DVD - Kevin's Room I & II, 2003 |
| Box 10 | DVD - Out & Proud in Chicago, 2008 |
| Box 10 | DVD - Overcoming Addictions and Barriers, 2005 |
Series VII: Oversize |
| Box 11 Folder 1 | Banner - Gay Pride Banner, circa 1970 |
| Box 11 Folder 2 | Clippings – Chicago Gay Liberation, 1970 |
| Box 11 Folder 3 | Clippings – Chicago Gay Pride, 1971 |
| Box 11 Folder 4 | Clippings – Gay and Lesbian Entertainment, 1975-1992 |
| Box 11 Folder 5 | Clippings – Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area – Gay and Lesbian Issues, 1980 |
| Box 11 Folder 6 | Clippings – University of Maryland – Gay and Lesbian Jewish Life, 1980-1985 |
| Box 11 Folder 7 | Clippings – The Washington Blade, 1984-1987 |
| Box 11 Folder 8 | Clippings – National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, 1987 [1/2] |
| Box 11 Folder 9 | Clippings – National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, 1987 [2/2] |
| Box 11 Folder 10 | Clippings – Democratic Party of Illinois, 1990 |
| Box 11 Folder 11 | Clippings – Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 1990 |
| Box 11 Folder 12 | Clippings – Outlines, 1990 |
| Box 12 Folder 1 | Clippings – Windy City Times, 1990 |
| Box 12 Folder 2 | Clippings – Chicago Tribune – Articles on Gay Rights and Free Speech, 1992-1998 |
| Box 12 Folder 3 | Clippings – USA Today – Gay Rights, 1993 |
| Box 12 Folder 4 | Clippings – The Washington Post – National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay, 1993 |
| Box 12 Folder 5 | Clippings – News-Star – LesBiGay Radio, 1999 |
| Box 12 Folder 6 | Windy City Times – Radio Free Chicago, 1999 |
| Box 12 Folder 7 | Photograph - The Importance of Being Earnest – Photograph by Jennifer Girard, 1990 |
| Box 12 Folder 8 | Poster - Chicago Gay Men's Chorus Presents: H.M.S. Pinafore, 2000 |
| Box 12 Folder 9 | Poster - Sam Barber: Exhibition of Recent Paintings, 2000 |
| Box 12 Folder 10 | Poster - LesBiGay Radio: Live on the Belmont Stage, undated |
| Box 12 Folder 11 | Poster - LesBiGay Radio Chicago, undated |