Student Groups’ Formulation of Gay Liberation Identity in the 1970s: Part II

Dilley, Patrick

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-04645-3_3

Patrick Dilley²

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Abstract

The early Midwestern campus gay and lesbian student organizations stemmed from the impetus of Gay Liberation, along with the revolutionary ethos of radical social, student, and anti-war movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Although the origins of the college groups were born from revolution, the students involved, and the groups themselves, struggled both to support non-heterosexuals on campus and to challenge the dominant heteronormative paradigm of postsecondary education. This second of two chapters recounts the origins of gay and lesbian student organizing at Michigan State University, the University of Illinois, the University of Kansas, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and the University of Missouri.

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Notes

1.
For more context about the origins of the Gay Liberation Movement at Michigan State University, particularly the social importance of feminism in the GLM’s structure and ideology, see Michael Carman’s honor’s thesis, “‘Not Everything Happens in San Francisco’: Sociopolitical Mobilization in Identity-Politics-Era Lansing” (Michigan State University, 2011).
2.
Paula Bray, “Students Affirm Gay Happiness,” State News, April 6, 1970, 6.
3.
“Gays Tired of Discrimination,” State News, April 13, 1970, 4.
4.
“Gays Tired of Discrimination.”
5.
Leonard Graff, Interview with Author, August 12, 2018.
6.
Carman, “‘Not Everything Happens in San Francisco,’” 16.
7.
“End to Social Oppression Sought by ‘Gay’ Movement,” State News, May 1, 1970, 5.
8.
Leonard Graff did not remember such a statement. Leonard Graff, Interview with Author, August 12, 2018.
9.
The “grill” referred to here was a restaurant in the Union frequented called The Grill; according to Leonard Graff, “any time, day or night,” one could run into other non-heterosexual students in the area. “I don’t know if it had any other name. It was a café…. Somehow, it got to be known as a gay hangout. In this section of the union, if you any kind of gaydar, you would know what’s going on.” Leonard Graff, Interview with Author, August 12, 2018.
10.
“End to social oppression sought by ‘gay’ movement.”
11.
“End to social oppression sought by ‘gay’ movement.”
12.
Carman, “‘Not Everything Happens in San Francisco,’” 17.
13.
Leonard Graff, Interview with Author, August 12, 2018.
14.
“Liberation: A Personal Perception,” State News, June 4, 1970, 4.
15.
“Liberation: A Personal Perception.”
16.
“Liberation: A Personal Perception.”
17.
“GLM All-day Session Set,” State News, August 14, 1970, 12.
18.
“GLM All-day Session Set.”
19.
“GLM All-day Session Set”; “It’s What’s Happening,” State News, August 20, 1970, 11; “Speaker to Present Homosexuality Facts,” State News, August 21, 1970, 3; Tom Spaniolo, “Homosexuality Termed Matter of Sex Preference,” State News, August 24, 1970, 1.
20.
Carman, “‘Not Everything Happens in San Francisco,’” 19. Leonard Graff confirmed this to me; Leonard Graff, Interview with Author, August 12, 2018.
21.
Carman, “‘Not Everything Happens in San Francisco,’” 20. Carman also points out a significant issue when trying to determine this history. “The duplicate groups also confuse the historiography of early MSU queer organizing, however. The Radicalesbians, for instance, have been pointed to as a group of lesbians that did not feel the GLM met their needs, but they were in fact the GLM.”
22.
Carman, “‘Not Everything Happens in San Francisco,’” 29.
23.
Carman, “‘Not Everything Happens in San Francisco,’” 29.
24.
Carman, “‘Not Everything Happens in San Francisco,’” 29
25.
Zaffer, “Gay Lib Educates Community,” State News, December 1, 1970, 8.
26.
David Zaffer, “Gay Lib Educates Community.”
27.
Zaffer, “Gay Lib Educates Community.”
28.
Leonard Graff, Interview with Author, August 12, 2018.
29.
Leonard Graff, Interview with Author, August 12, 2018.
30.
Leonard Graff, Interview with Author, August 12, 2018.
31.
Eddy is the name that Graff remembers; I have been unable to locate information on either the chair or the membership roster of the East Lansing Human Relations Committee for 1972.
32.
Leonard Graff, Interview with Author, August 12, 2018.
33.
Joe Pizzo and Kim Shanahan, 1978, “Gays Fight for Rights Amidst Stiff Oppression,” State News Welcome Week Supplement.
34.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
35.
Dan Jones, 10/13/77, “National Gay Blue Jeans Day Promoted”, State News, October 13, 1977, 3.
36.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
37.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018
38.
Reginald Thomas, “Gay Council May Be Eliminated,” State News, November 3, 1977, 1.
39.
Reginald Thomas, “Gay Council May Be Eliminated.”
40.
“Gays: The Heresy of Being Different,” State News, November 7, 1977, 4.
41.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
42.
Reginald Thomas, “Board Rejects Proposal to Eliminate Gay Council,” State News, November 10, 1977, 1.
43.
Thomas, “Board Rejects Proposal to Eliminate Gay Council.”
44.
Dan Jones, “Council Appreciative,” State News, November 14, 1977, 4.
45.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
46.
“For Immediate Release, Contact Dan Jones.” April 4, 1978. James W. Toy Papers, Box 11, Folder: Clippings, Bentley Historical Library, The University of Michigan.
47.
Steve Orr, “M.S.U. Gay Leader Applauds Tolerance,” Detroit Free Press, May 1, 1978, 3A, 18A: 18A.
48.
“Hostility Greets MSU’s Gay Student President,” Ann Arbor News, May 10, 1978.
49.
Dan Jones, “Some Say Kill ASMSU – I Say It Can Still Work,” State News, April 27, 1978, 5.
50.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
51.
Orr, “M.S.U. Gay Leader Applauds Tolerance.”
52.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
53.
Jones, “Some Say Kill ASMSU – I Say It Can Still Work.”
54.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
55.
Michael Megerian, “Student Board to Consider Ousting Jones,” State News, November 20, 1978, 1.
56.
“Jones Is Not the Cause of the Board’s Ineffectiveness,” State News, November 28, 1978, 4.
57.
Kim Crawford and Michael Megerian, “Dan Jones Quits Presidency,” State News, November 29, 1978, 1.
58.
“ASMSU: Victory Without Any Pride,” State News, November 30, 1978, 4.
59.
“ASMSU: Victory Without Any Pride.”
60.
Michael Megerian, “ASMSU Ponders Future of Board,” State News, November 30, 1978, 1, 20: 1.
61.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
62.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
63.
Daniel P. Jones, Interview with Author, August 13, 2018.
64.
Pat Reynolds, “GLF Seeks Social Outlets,” Daily Illini, March 12, 1971, 6, 10: 10.
65.
Pat Reynolds, “GLF Sees Change in Nations [sic] Attitude,” Daily Illini, March 26, 1971, 6.
66.
University of Illinois Archives, Student and Faculty Organizations, Constitutions & Registration Cards, 1909–2002, Series 41/2/41, Box 10. Note: All registration information for this and its subsequent organizations comes from this file.
67.
Student Affairs – Programs and Services, Office of the Dean of Students – Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns, 1942–2014, 41/2/46, Box 1, University of Illinois Archives, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
68.
Student Affairs – Programs and Services, Office of the Dean of Students – Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns, 1942–2014, 41/2/46, Box 2, University of Illinois Archives, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
69.
Reynolds, “GLF Seeks Social Outlets.”
70.
Mary Ann Diehl, “Gay Liberation ‘Trying to Break Down Barriers,’” Daily Illini – Spectrum, October 16, 1971, 10, 11.
71.
Diehl, “Gay Liberation ‘Trying to Break Down Barriers.’”
72.
Diehl, “Gay Liberation ‘Trying to Break Down Barriers.’”
73.
Diehl, “Gay Liberation ‘Trying to Break Down Barriers.’”
74.
Diehl, “Gay Liberation ‘Trying to Break Down Barriers.’”
75.
University of Illinois Archives, Student and Faculty Organizations, Constitutions & Registration Cards, 1909–2002, Series 41/2/41, Box 10.
76.
Diehl, “GLF Sees Change in Nations [sic] Attitude,” 6.
77.
Margaret Bicek, “Laws Inhibit Homosexual Activity,” Daily Illini, October 16, 1971, 10.
78.
Elizabeth A. Armstrong, Forging Gay Identities: Organizing Sexuality in San Francisco, 1950–1994 (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002); Mary Bernstein, “Celebration and Suppression: The Strategic Uses of Identity by the Lesbian and Gay Movement,” American Journal of Sociology, 103, No. 3, (November 1997), 531–565; and Mary Bernstein, “Identities and Politics: Toward a Historical Understanding of the Lesbian and Gay Movement,” Social Science History, 26, No. 3 (Fall 2002), 531–581.
79.
Bernstein, “Identities and Politics,” 534.
80.
Student Affairs – Programs and Services, Office of the Dean of Students – Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns, 1942–2014, 41/2/46, University of Illinois Archives, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
81.
Karla Jay and Allen Young (Eds.), Out of the Closets: Voices of Gay Liberation (New York: Douglas Books, 1972).
82.
Student Affairs – Programs and Services, Office of the Dean of Students – Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns, 1942–2014, 41/2/46, University of Illinois Archives, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
83.
Student Affairs – Programs and Services, Office of the Dean of Students – Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns, 1942–2014, 41/2/46, University of Illinois Archives, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
84.
Student Affairs – Programs and Services, Office of the Dean of Students – Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns, 1942–2014, 41/2/46, University of Illinois Archives, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
85.
Student Affairs – Programs and Services, Office of the Dean of Students – Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns, 1942–2014, 41/2/46, Box 1, University of Illinois Archives, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
86.
Student Affairs – Programs and Services, Office of the Dean of Students – Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns, 1942–2014, 41/2/46, University of Illinois Archives, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
87.
“Gay Switchboard Service to Open,” Student Advocate, January 14, 1976, 3.
88.
“Gay Switchboard Opens,” Daily Illini, January 27, 1976.
89.
“Gay Switchboard Service to Open.”
90.
“Gay Switchboard opens.”
91.
“Gay Illini On The Move,” Student Advocate, May 3, 1976.
92.
“Gay Illini On The Move.”
93.
Jack Mabley, “The Gay Illini: How Campus Has Changed,” Chicago Tribune, October 17, 1976, Section 1, 4.
94.
Mabley, “The Gay Illini: How Campus Has Changed.”
95.
Mabley, “The Gay Illini: How Campus Has Changed.”
96.
Dennis Brumm, www.brumm.com/schools/gaylib/. Note: Brumm scanned clippings of many Iowa State Daily newspaper accounts, but not all of them are fully dated. When no date is cited, I found the article on his website.
97.
Erin Randolph, “30 Years Is Just the Beginning,” Iowa State Daily, April 1, 2002.
98.
Joe Franko, “Letters to Editor: More About Boys,” Iowa State Daily, December 14, 1971.
99.
Franko, “Letters to Editor: More About Boys.”
100.
Randolph, “30 Years Is Just the Beginning.”
101.
Linda Kohl, “Gay Liberation Front Organizes Here,” Iowa State Daily, December 141,971, A18.
102.
Randolph, “30 Years Is Just the Beginning.”
103.
“Gay Liberation Frowns on Stereotyping,” Iowa State News.
104.
Erin Randolph, “30 Years is Just the Beginning.”
105.
Brumm, www.brumm.com/schools/gaylib/
106.
Brumm, www.brumm.com/schools/gaylib/
107.
“‘Gays’ Plan Activities for Fall,” Iowa Student Daily, August 8, 1974.
108.
“‘Gays’ Plan Activities for Fall.”
109.
Lawrence Gay Liberation Inc., undated press release (probably 1972). University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
110.
Up Front: The Official Newslettre [sic] of Lawrence Gay Liberation Inc., 1, no. 1. University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
111.
KU Press Bureau, press release, 9/5/1970, University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
112.
University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
113.
“KU’s Gay Libbers File Federal Suit,” Topeka Capital, December 14, 1971.
114.
“Gay Liberation Front Take Case to Court,” Wichita Eagle, December 16, 1971, 14.
115.
“Gay Liberation’s Request Denied,” Topeka Capital, February 12, 1972.
116.
“Chalmers Welcomes Test of His Gay Liberation Decision,” Lawrence Journal-World, July 22, 1971, 3.
117.
David G. Miller to E. Lawrence Chalmers, Jr., October 1, 1971. University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
118.
Mimeographed Lawrence GLF News, no 2, April 7, 1972. University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
119.
“Topeka Judge Bar Kunstler,” Lawrence Journal-World, January 27, 1972, 1.
120.
“KU Gay Lib Recognition Loses in Court Attempt,” Lawrence Journal-World, February 12, 1972, 1.
121.
“New KU Effort May Recognize Gay Liberation,” Lawrence Journal-World, February 14, 1972, 16.
122.
“Kunstler Requests Court Order KU Gay Lib Okay,” Lawrence Journal-World, November 17, 1972, 20.
123.
Up Front, 1, No. 1, 2. University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
124.
Gay Liberation Front Emergency Position Paper. University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
125.
Gay Liberation Front Emergency Position Paper. University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
126.
Gay Liberation Front Emergency Position Paper.
127.
Gay Liberation Front Emergency Position Paper.
128.
The Yellow Brick Road, January and February, 1977. University of Kansas Student Organization Records, University Archives, RG-67, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, 67/66, Queers & Allies, Box 1.
129.
Erin Niederberger, “The Gay Lib Controversy: Social Change Versus Social Norms at the University of Missouri,” Artifacts, April 2016, artificatsjournal.missouri.edu
130.
“Ratchford Says Homosexuals Already Under Investigation,” Columbia Daily Tribune, March 29, 1973; “University Investigates Homosexuals,” Columbia Missourian, March 30, 1973, 1, 15.
131.
Niederberger, “The Gay Lib Controversy.”
132.
Niederberger, “The Gay Lib Controversy.”
133.
No relation to the author.
134.
Glenda Dilley, Interview with Jim Andis, August 10, 2010. jandris.ipage.com
135.
Ron Lee, “Protestors Heckle Gays During March to First Campus Meeting,” Columbia Daily Tribune, April 21, 1978, 1.
136.
Tom Evans and David Bushman, “Gay Lib Takes March of Victory,” Columbia Missourian, April 21, 1978, 1A, 14A; Ron Lee, “Protestors Heckle Gays During March to First Campus Meeting,” Columbia Daily Tribune, April 21, 1978, 1.
137.
Evans and Bushman, “Gay Lib Takes March of Victory.”
138.
Evans and Bushman, “Gay Lib Takes March of Victory.”
139.
Evans and Bushman, “Gay Lib Takes March of Victory.”
140.
Josh Flory, “MSA Rights Proposal Gains Ally,” Columbia Daily Tribune, February 12, 1999; clipping in University of Missouri Archives, vertical file “Gay Lib.”

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Educational Administration and Higher Education, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
Patrick Dilley

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Dilley, P. (2019). Student Groups’ Formulation of Gay Liberation Identity in the 1970s: Part II. In: Gay Liberation to Campus Assimilation. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04645-3_3

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04645-3_3
Published: 23 February 2019
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
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