Gay Academic Union of New England records

The Gay Academic Union (GAU) was founded in 1973 in New York City, New York, for the purpose of institutionalizing GLBT studies and activism at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Among the other aims of the organization were support for early feminist activism, the creation of a support and communication network for gays and lesbians, and active opposition of anti-gay discrimination. The GAU's national office held an annual conference; regional chapters held monthly meetings at which speakers were frequently made presentations on various issues in gay studies. The organization also published a newsletter until 1980, which included letters from members, original articles, and reprints of articles originally published elsewhere. The GAU was one of the first organizations of its kind and one of the key components of the gay liberation movement in the U.S. during the early 1970's. The organization's national office was located in New York until 1978, when it was moved to Los Angeles. Regional chapters included those in New England, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The organization was disbanded in 1984.