Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance Records, 1976-[ongoing]
General International Standard for Archival Description
Smith College Archives Northampton, MA
Finding aid encoded using Perl scripts and edited in XMetal 2.0. Encoded by Laura Cutter. 2003-06-10
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
recordgrp
Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance Records
Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance
Biographical History for: Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance Records
Biographical Note The Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance grew out of several significant events in the 1970s. In 1973, the newly formed Women's Resource Center hosted Smith College's first "Women's Weekend", at which a workshop on lesbianism was held. From this workshop, an underground organization called Sophia's Sisters, was founded. This organization was denied chartering and funding, and being unable to create a visible campus presence, was forced to disband in 1975. The Lesbian Alliance (LBA) was founded the following year (and chartered in 1977) by Jennet Inglis and Liza McKinley, both Class of 1978. Despite frequent hostility and funding difficulties, the organization grew. In 1984, the college administration closed Hover House, a predominantly lesbian resident house. However, by this time, the LBA had a strong foothold on campus, and was gaining widespread acceptance. In 1988, as bisexual women gained more visibility and the lesbian/gay rights movements expanded, the Lesbian Alliance officially changed its name to the Lesbian Bisexual Alliance. The organization changed its name to what it is known as today, the Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance (LBTA) some time between 1999 and 2002 (exact date is unknown).
Scope and Contents of the Collection The Records of the Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance consist mainly of administrative material that document the organization's history and maintenance. There is also a large component of correspondence to and from campus administrators, outlining the organization's goals, and examining the obstacles met while trying to attain those goals. This is a collection that may be useful to anyone researching the lifecycle and campus perception of student organizations. These records also provide an insightful look into the social issues surrounding lesbianism and how they've changed over the decades since the organization's inception. Types of materials include correspondence, meeting minutes, budget proposals, surveys, campus flyers, photographs, and newspaper articles.
Lesbians--Massachusetts--Northampton.
lcsh
Bisexual women--Massachusetts--Northampton.
Women college students--Massachusetts--Northampton.
Smith College--Students.
series
Series I. Administrative Records, 1976-2002
History, Charters, by-laws, structure. 1976-1995
Financial Material, Budget proposals 1976-2001
Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas 1976-2002
Bias, Memos and material to and from LBTA relating to bias crimes, complaints on campus, and the forming of the Committee on Bias Complaints. 1976-1993
LBTA Space/Library ca. 1985-1992
Newsletters 1977-1993
Miscellaneous notes and memoranda 1977-1993
Series II. Correspondence, 1970-1980
Letters and reminisces of LBA members, others, Includes student paper "The Lesbian Alliance: A Study of Minority Group and Liberal Tolerance" 1979
General 1976-1993
Series III. Events, 1976-1999
Flyers 1976-1999
Flyers n.d.
Coming Out Day 1990-1993
Workshops/Seminars
LBA Seminar Evaluations Questions Panel 1977
Miscellaneous programs and schedule of events n.d.
Five College Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Studies course offerings 1991-1992.
Series IV. Photographs, 1988, 1992-1994
Photographs: members, events
Series V. Surveys, 1982-1993
Mainly material related to 1983 student survey, includes correspondence to and from Jill Conway. Other survey sample forms.
Student Survey results (RESTRICTED) May 1983
Series VI. Newsclippings, 1971-1993
Clippings from The Smith College Sophian, n.d. or annotated. 1971-1991
Hover House press packet 1983-1984
Clippings and articles from other Smith publications. 1976-1992
Clippings and articles from non-Smith publications. 1983-1993
Index to article titles in The Smith College Sophian, see Reading Room for originals.
Letters to editor:
"Homosexuality," The Sophian, February 4, 1971
"Homosexuals supported," The Sophian, February 12, 1971
Livesay, Debbie, "Homosexuals supported," The Sophian, February 12, 1971
"Gay world," The Sophian, February 12, 1971
Miller, Melissa, "Gay/straight split explained," The Sophian, October 16, 1975
McKnight, Michele, "Gay/straight article questioned," The Sophian, October 23, 1975
Jessop, Susan and Pincus, Betsy, "Do not ignore Lesbian Alliance," The Sophian, February 1, 1979
Marresse, Mary-Lynn, "Alumna sees growing paranoia," The Sophian, April 2, 1979
Perry, Vanessa, and Ellman, Barat, "Anti-Lesbian reaction disappoints," The Sophian, April 2, 1979
Unsworth, Richard P., Rev., "Chaplains address Lesbian Alliance funding," The Sophian, April 2, 1979
Herboldsheimer, Ramona, "How the Lesbian Alliance uses funds," The Sophian, March 5, 1979
Reidenbach, Faith, "Secretary of SFC explains Lesbian Alliance budget recommendations," The Sophian, March 5, 1979
Bushby, Faith B., "A matter of sexual preference," The Sophian, March 8, 1979
Jopling, Mary, "Silent majority: speak out," The Sophian, March 8, 1979
McKnight, Lisa, "SFC: Re-analyze proposals," The Sophian, March 8, 1979
Miller, Sandra, "Not for all women," The Sophian, March 8, 1979
Geibel, Victoria, "Member of "silent majority" speaks out," The Sophian, March 12, 1979
Peterson, Lisa, "Obtain unity by funding "factions"," The Sophian, March 12, 1979
Reidenbach, Faith, "Letter's argument refuted," The Sophian, March 12, 1979
"Rumor hurts," The Sophian, October 7, 1982
"Harassment fosters learning," The Sophian, September 30, 1982
"Workshops help overcome homophobia," The Sophian, November 11, 1982
Correction, November 11, 1982
"Clearing confusion," The Sophian, November 15, 1982
Women's Resource Center, "Inadequate procedure," The Sophian, November 15, 1982
Wallace, Barrie, "Freedom of expression," The Sophian, April 21, 1983
"Lesbian Alliance: Smith is for Lovers," The Sophian, April 28, 1983
Stout, Kathryn, "Lesbian Alliance: Smith is for Lovers," The Sophian, April 28, 1983
Griffiths, Heidi and Lavine, Rachel, "Invasion of privacy," The Sophian, October 3, 1985
Corvi, Anne, "Lesbian Alliance clarified," The Sophian, October 3, 1985
"Reactionary behavior at LA meeting," The Sophian, October 21, 1985
"Sexual definition raises conflict," The Sophian, October 24, 1985
Kamps, Julie, "Student endorses Coming Out Day," The Sophian, October 11, 1990
Kressy, Sarah, "Pink triangles represent love," The Sophian, October 11, 1990
Moore, Betsy, "Students praise Tenney residents for courage," The Sophian, December 3, 1990
"Reports show need for action," The Sophian, December 3, 1990
"RCA condemns incidents," The Sophian, December 3, 1990
Kavner, Julie, "Tyler House victimized in incident," The Sophian, December 6, 1990
Parrot, Jodi M. and Klotko, Lebasi, "Lose the hatred," The Sophian, April 4, 1991
Adamson, Joanna, "Context misunderstood," The Sophian, April 11, 1991
Bolyn, Elizabeth, "Queers read this unjustly criticized," The Sophian, April 11, 1991
Godley, Sophie, "Act as straight allies for gays," The Sophian, April 8, 1991
Rhodes-Conway, Satya, "Act against homophobia," The Sophian, April 25, 1991
Feldwick, Jennifer A., "Campus chalking," The Sophian, October 21, 1993
Miller, Jennifer, "Campus chalking," The Sophian, October 21, 1993
Articles
Hill, Amy, "Weekend workshop helps lesbians examine dilemma," The Sophian, April 12, 1973
Levin, Ann, "Lesbian role examined," The Sophian, November 8, 1973
"Dialogue: Sophiasisters cope with misunderstanding," The Sophian, November 1, 1973
Bishop, Daphne, "Conway expresses views on controversial issues," The Sophian, Vol. 25, no. 7, November 11, 1976
"Women's Resource Center redefining purpose," The Sophian, November 15, 1976
Kuropat, Rosemary, "Gay students share experiences," The Sophian, February 26, 1979
Brickell, Sally Ann, "SFC proposes '79-80 budget to Senate," The Sophian, March 1, 1979
McCormick, Cindy, "Activities fee to increase," The Sophian, March 8, 1979
Smith, Robin Lynn, "Groups get additional funds," The Sophian, March 8, 1979
Murtagh, Anne T., "No funds to factions," The Sophian, March 8, 1979
"Make a study of the budget," The Sophian, March 12, 1979
Salzer, Elizabeth A.J., "View fellow students with compassion," The Sophian, March 12, 1979
Chapman, Cate, "Women's Resource Center seeks new image," The Sophian, September 30, 1982
Burns, Suzanne, "Holly Near to give concert at Smith," The Sophian, October 7, 1982
Yum, Cathy, "Lesbian workshop dispels fears," The Sophian, November 8, 1982
The Smith College Lesbian Alliance, "Golden re-appointment decision questioned," The Sophian, January 31, 1983
Carlisle, Kate, "Four ages of women," The Sophian, April 28, 1983
"Lesbians organize event," The Sophian, April 28, 1983
Mannis, Wendy, "Lesbians seek end to harassment," February 14, 1983
Hassett, Jody, "Administration puts restrictions on student run workshops," The Sophian, October 3, 1983
Garrow, Suzanne, "Workshop deferral checks student's freedom," The Sophian (typed draft in LBTA records), October 3, 1983
"Alliance demands changes in School policy," The Sophian, October 24, 1983
Mahoney, Eileen, "Conway accepts advice, houses rate workshops," The Sophian, vol.32, no. 16, November 14, 1983
"Senate continues budget hearings of College organizations," The Sophian, March 8, 1984
"Alliance reviews plans," The Sophian, Vol. 34, no. 5, September 30, 1985
O'Laughlin, Paula, "Student questions Smith liberalism," The Sophian, October 3, 1985
Streeter, Jane, "Recognizing the lesbian/straight split: everyone's loss," The Sophian, October 21, 1985
Lavine, Rachel, "Target basic issue, realize heterosexual privilege," The Sophian, November 11,1985
"Porn on campus," The Sophian, November 11, 1985
Chapman, Laura, "Feminism includes all," The Sophian, November 11, 1985
LeBlanc, Adrian Nichole, "Speaker expounds on gay rights," The Sophian, Vol. 34, no. 16, November 14, 1985
"National Gay Task Force examines lesbian and gay ideas," The Sophian, November 14, 1985
"Special Edition: Racial Tension at Smith," vol. 37, no. 41, 1989
Fronek, Laurie, "Student receives homophobic note," The Sophian, March 9, 1989
Rahmin, Jesmin, "Religious beliefs do not imply homophobia," The Sophian, March 9, 1989
Fitzgerald, Alexandra, "College forms subcommittee on lesbian and bisexual issues," The Sophian, Vol. 39, no. 28, February, 1990
"Information leads to an informed choice," The Sophian, April 16, 1990
Earnshaw, Nancy, "LBA coordinates annual march," The Sophian, April 26, 1990
Krasik, Erin, "SGA sponsors B-Glad Week to promote awareness," The Sophian, vol.39, no. 37, 1990
Clemons, Kendra, "Report of homophobic incidents increases on campus," The Sophian, vol. 40, no. 20, 1990
"HIV testing needed at Smith," The Sophian, February 21, 1991
Ulrich, Gretchen, "LBA resources available," The Sophian, April 18, 1991
Wetherall, Diana Rael, "Anonymous HIV testing to be offered by health services," The Sophian, vol. 41, no. 6, 1991
Imajo, Anika and Miller, Susan, "Campus events reflect recent legislation," The Sophian, December 5, 1991
Clemons, Kendra, "Investigation follows threatening incident," The Sophian, vol. 40, no. 22, 1991
Weinberg, Emily, "Gayla Week celebrates lesbian, gay and bisexual culture," vol. 40, no. 33, March 11, 1991
"Discourse not anonymity," October 21, 1993
Drew, Maria Elena, "Anonymous signs counter chalking on Coming Out Day," The Sophian, Vol. 43, no. 4, October 21, 1993
Fischer, Karin and Potash, Jennifer, "Smith conservatives celebrate Coming Out Day," The Sophian, vol. 43, no. 10, 1993
(undated articles, see LBTA Records)
"Comments on chalking," The Sophian, n.d.
Farabee, Mindy, "LBA coffee house provides more than just Folger's," n.d.
"Groups react to formal changes," The Sophian, n.d.
Suszko, Stephanie, "Discrimination of the future?," The Sophian, n.d.
Bergin, Caitlin, "Smith women consider family values," The Sophian, n.d.
"Women's needs come first," The Sophian, n.d.
Bryant, Linda, "Homophobia is everywhere," The Sophian, n.d.
Anonymous, "To the editors," The Sophian, n.d.
Laehmann, Kathrine, "Religion major defines Alliance," The Sophian, n.d.
Davis, Sue and Wender, Jocelyn, "T-shirts," The Sophian, n.d.
Baskys, Loretta, "More biblical passages quoted," The Sophian, n.d.
Burger, Ann M., "Homophobia unacceptable," The Sophian, [1990]
Godley, Sophie, "National Coming Out Day," ca. 1991
Full issues collected: (see bound volumes in reading room)
The Sophian, vol. 34, no. 16, 1985
The Sophian, vol. 34, no. 24, 1986
The Sophian, vol. 34, no. 29, 1986
The Sophian, vol. 39, no. 8, 1989
The Sophian, vol. 39, no. 19, 1989
The Sophian, vol. 40, no. 20, 1991
The Sophian, vol. 40, no. 22, 1991
The Sophian, vol. 40, no. 25, 1991
The Sophian, vol. 40, no. 26, 1991
The Sophian, vol. 40, no. 33, 1991
The Sophian, vol. 40, no. 41, 1991
The Sophian, vol. 43, no. 4, 1993
The Sophian, vol. 43, no. 10, 1993
The Sophian, March 9, 1989