Paul F. Perkovic papers

Collection

Identifier: M096

Scope and Content Note

The collection reflects the personal interests and activities of Paul F. Perkovic, a resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts and a member of the gay community. While evidence within the collection indicates that Perkovic assembled the papers, Robert W. Mack, also of Cambridge and active in gay organizations, donated the collection to Northeastern.

The bulk of the collection documents gay and lesbian community organizations in Cambridge, Boston, and on college campuses throughout New England during the late 1970s through the early 1990s. It includes newsletters, flyers, announcements, invitations, calendars, surveys, brochures, political endorsements, and correspondence. The organizations represented in this collection are involved with broad issues of the gay and lesbian communities, whether of Cambridge itself, the greater Boston area, the academic institutions of New England, or the federal government in Washington. Of particular interest are materials on the Gay and Lesbian Speakers Bureau, including by-laws, fund-raising mailings, speakers manuals, newsletters, steering committee documents, and treasurer's reports. The papers and newsletters of the Boston Intercollegiate Lesbian and Gay Alliance document gay and lesbian activities on over a dozen Boston area campuses. A small amount of material pertains to national gay and lesbian activism or human rights.

Included in the collection are publications of the Metropolitan Community Church, mainly from Chicago, and several issues of Daughters of Sarah, a Chicago based Christian feminist newsletter; a letter from Senator John Kerry to Dr. Joel D. Hencken, affirming Kerry's support for President Clinton's plan to prohibit discrimination of homosexuals in the military, and a few items on a January 1978 "Stop Anita Bryant" march in Washington, D.C.

Dates

Creation: 1974-1994

Creator

Mack, Robert W. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:

Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the University Archivist.

Historical Note

Paul Perkovic, a resident of Cambridge during the years represented in this collection and member the gay community, actively supported a number of gay and lesbian organizations. Perkovic showed particular interest in organizations engaged in public outreach and education, political activism, community organizations, and university student organizations. Such organizations include:The Gay Speakers Bureau (later The Gay and Lesbian Speakers Bureau), which arranged speaking engagements for lesbians and gay men before groups at schools, churches, and other interested community organizations. It exists today as SpeakOut;

The Cambridge Lesbian and Gay Alliance, which promoted gay rights, endorsed local candidates, arranged speeches by local and national elected officials, and rated voting records of local officials on gay and lesbian issues;

ClearSpace, a Cambridge community center for gays and lesbians which offered social and athletic events, discussions, and support groups;

The Boston Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance, which lobbies for legislation benefiting lesbians and gay men, endorses candidates, and encourages voting, publishes a newsletter, called the Alliance News (see also http://www.lib.neu.edu/archives/collect/findaids/M91find.htm); and

The Boston Intercollegiate Lesbian and Gay Alliance, which coordinated and supported gay and lesbian college and university organizations, and published newsletter, The Intercollegiate (see also http://www.lib.neu.edu/archives/collect/findaids/m65find.htm).

Extent

1 cubic feet (1 container)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Paul F. Perkovic, a resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts and member of the gay community, actively supported a number of gay and lesbian organizations in the greater Boston area during the late 1970s through the early 1990s.

Overview

The bulk of the collection documents gay and lesbian community organizations in Cambridge, Boston, and on college campuses throughout New England during the late 1970s through the early 1990s.