Boston's LGBTQ+ History: Primary Sources and Government Documents
On This Page...
... You will find reports, studies, and other documents created by various governmental or lobbying organizations regarding the Boston LGBTQ+ community, as well as databases of newspapers and other primary sources. If you know of an organization or source that you don't see here but think should be included, please let us know!
A Note on History and Identity
The constantly changing nature of social attitudes towards questions of sexual orientation and gender identity has, throughout history, drastically affected the way people self identify and present those identities to the world around them. The biographical subjects in this section may or may not have identified with a modern conception of the LGBTQ+ community, and applying modern labels to historical figures and behaviors is often difficult or counterproductive. As such, some of the biographical subjects listed here are those which are cited by published histories, academic research, or community traditions as being historical antecedents to the LGBTQ+ community of Boston today.
Government Documents
An Examination of Discrimination Against Transgender Americans in the Workplace by Call Number: GOV DOCS Y 4.ED 8/1:110-99Publication Date: June 26, 2008Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, Hearing Held in Washington, DC, June 26, 2008
Available in book, microform, and digital formats- The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Persons in Massachusetts by Call Number: GOV DOCS RA564.9.H65 M37 2009xPublication Date: July, 2009A Survey of Health Issues Comparing LGBT Persons With Their Heterosexual and Non-transgender Counterparts
Founded in 1976 as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National LGBTQ Task Force is an advocacy group which seeks to "advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people," according to the mission statement on their website. Over the years, as part of their advocacy and lobbying efforts, they have commissioned many reports on and guides to LGBTQ community life. Their website is http://www.thetaskforce.org.
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Campus Organizing by Call Number: HQ75.6 .U5S54 1995xISBN: 9780965277907Publication Date: 1996-01-01Bound to be the definitive work for years to come, this user-friendly manual contains resources, strategies, suggestions, tips, photographs, charts, lists, and other information for gaining antidiscrimination protections, forming support groups, increasing visibility, and securing equality in higher education.
- Dealing With Violence: A Guide for Gay and Lesbian People by Call Number: HV6250.4.H66 D4 1986Publication Date: 1986
- Anti-gay/lesbian Violence, Victimization and Defamation in 1990: Local Trends, Victimization Studies, Incident Descriptions, Official and Community Response by Call Number: GOV DOCS NGL/S2Publication Date: annual; Library has 1988 to dateAnnual national report on anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered [sic] violence based on documentation provided by local anti-violence programs across the country; examines the nature and extent of anti-gay violence and other victimization; discusses trends in violence in specific cities; includes in-depth data on assaults, offenders, HIV-related violence and law enforcement response, plus list of participating programs, definitions, and state hate crime statutory provisions; describes incidents of murder, assault, defamation, arson and vandalism and hate group activity; includes detailed statistics for many cities, including Boston...
- Marriage: Legal Protections for Families and Children by Call Number: GOV DOCS KFM2495.C3 2000x[A] pamphlet discussing gay marriage after the Goodridge decision legalized it in 2003; sections include: 2000 Census Data: Same-Sex Partnered Households (in Massachusetts) // The Benefits of Marriage (for same sex couples) (Health Related Rights and Protections, Increased Financial and Emotional Security, Protection for Children) // Civil Unions // Domestic Partnerships // Comparison of Marriage, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships // A Trend Towards Respecting Marriages of Same-Sex Couples (International Context, Public Opinion Supports Equal Treatment for Same-Sex Partners, Religious Protection) // State and Federal Measures to Enact New Kinds of Discrimination (Super Domas, The Federal Marriage Amendment) // Goodridge v. Department of Public Health)
Fenway Health, founded in 1971 as the Fenway Community Health Center, is a Boston-based medical facility and advocacy organization that aims "...to enhance the wellbeing of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and all people in our neighborhoods and beyond through access to the highest quality health care, education, research and advocacy." In addition to providing direct medical services, Fenway Health has sponsored, initiated, and/or published many reports and studies on issues related to LGBTQ+ health in Boston and beyond. Their website is fenwayhealth.org.
- The Violence Recovery Program for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Communities by Call Number: GOV DOCS X1/FWH/98.1Publication Date: 1998[D]escribes services offered to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender victims of assault, harassment, domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Anti-LGBT violence & harassment, Massachusetts by Call Number: GOV DOCS HV6250.4.H66A58 2003xPublication Date: July 2003This publications aims to provide information and resources regarding violence and harassment experienced by lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered [sic] people."; sections include: Anti-LGBT Violence (Prevalence, Types of Violence, Selected Indications [What can a victim of violence or harassment use to show that the crime was motivated by anti-LGBT bias?], Responding to an Incidence, The effects of Hate Crimes) // Victims' Legal Rights (Overview, Criminal Prosecution, Injunctive Relief, Civil Suits, Victim Compensation, Hate Crime Reporting Laws) // Resources for Victims of Violence (with description of each and telephone number)....
- Blow the Whistle on Anti-gay and Lesbian Violence by Call Number: GOV DOCS FHW/91.2Publication Date: not dated, received 1991[T]ips on protecting yourself from violence and what to do if you become a victim of violence; includes a resource guide of phone number for further information/assistance.
- Out in Front Since 1971 by Call Number: GOV DOCS HQ76.25.O88xPublication Date: [n.d.][D]iscusses the role that the Fenway Community Health Center plays in the community; describes and lists services that are available including primary care, mental health and addiction services, health education, HIV prevention, testing, treatment and research acupuncture detoxification services, womens' health services, alternative insemination, family and parenting services and victim recovery program; includes information on hours of service, payment options, directions to the facility and volunteer opportunities.
- 8 in 10: A Special Report of the Victim Recovery Program of the Fenway Community Health Cente by Call Number: GOV DOCS FWH/91.1Publication Date: 1991[G]ives results of a survey conducted in 1989 to determine the incidence of anti-lesbian and anti-gay violence, harassment, and discrimination (including violence and harassment by police officers); makes recommendations for curbing hate crimes against gays.
While the resources presented here are not directly produced by government agencies, they have been created by organizations collaborating with government agencies, receiving government funding, or were published with the intent to advocate for governmental action, and as such have been cataloged as part of the BPL's Government Documents or Social Science collections.
- A Historical Map of Lesbian and Gay Boston by Call Number: MAP G3764.B6 H5 1995xPublication Date: c1995In Library Use Only, At Delivery Desk
- Assessment of Need Among People Living With Hiv in the Boston Ema [eligible Metropolitan Area]: An Update by Call Number: GOV DOCS X1/BAI/00.1Publication Date: 2000[A] report discussing and describing people living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) (PLWH); describes the PLWH population with limited income, no insurance coverage, and co-morbidites; describes the following populations of PLWH: adolescents (13-19 years old), Blacks, homeless, intraveous drug users, Latinos / Hispanics, men of color who have sex with men, white men who have sex with men, and women of childbearing age (13 years and older) giving HIV infection and risk trends, extent to which they are in a system of care, regardless of funding source, unmet service needs and barriers to accessing care among those outside a system of care...
The Boston Project
In the early 1980s, long-serving Boston Mayor Kevin H. White began an initiative designed to bring more voices from the LGBTQ+ community into Boston municipal government. This initiative included a needs assessment of the community called "The Boston Project" and the hiring of a staff member with the job title "Mayor's Liaison to the Gay & Lesbian Community." The digitized records below, also available in the BPL's Government Documents collection, are reports and correspondence directly related to this effort. These documents grant a unique insight into the community and city government at a pivotal moment in history.
- A profile of Boston's gay and lesbian community : preliminary report of findingsThis is the statistical summary of the data received from "The Boston Project" survey, published in 1983.
BPL call number: GOV DOCS HQ76.3.M42B62 1983x - The Boston Project : toward an agenda for gay & lesbian citizens : executive summaryThe full executive summary of "The Boston Project," including over 200 recommendations for how various city departments could better serve the Gay and Lesbian Community, published in 1983.
BPL call number: GOV DOCS HQ76.3.M42B6 1983x - [Letter from Brian R. McNaught to Mayor Raymond L. Flynn on the transistion of his office to the new administration], 1984 Jan. 23This short letter by Brian McNaught details the steps and provisions made to ensure that a new Mayor's Liaison to the Gay and Lesbian Community could step into the same role under the incoming administration of new mayor Raymond Flynn.
BPL call number: GOV DOCS M3/B16/GAY/84/2 - Job description for the Mayor's Liaison to the Gay & Lesbian CommunityIn this document, Brian McNaught provides a detailed description of his duties and responsibilities as the Mayor's Liaison to the Gay and Lesbian Community, in service of the search committee for his replacement to serve in Mayor Flynn's administration. Ultimately, Ann M. Maguire would be hired to fill the role for the next three years, until 1987.
BPL call number: GOV DOCS M3/B16/GAY/84/1
Newspapers and Periodicals
Archives of Sexuality & Gender
Many newspapers, newsletters, and other primary sources from Boston and beyond can be found in this database, which is a collaboration of several libraries and archives. This is often the best place to check first.
Notable Publications collected include: Bay Windows, Task Force Report, Gay Community News, Boston Gay Review, and the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Newsletter (Boston).
In Newsweekly Newspaper
"New England's largest gay & lesbian news & entertainment weekly."
Note that some issues of this newspaper are digitized through the Archives of Sexuality and Gender Database, but the BPL's physical collection on microfilm is more complete.
The Other Pages: A Business and Service Directory for the Lesbian and Gay Community
A Directory of LGBTQ+ -owned or -friendly businesses in the Washington DC area, published by Aviance Marketing
Gayellow Pages
A directory of Gay -owned or -friendly businesses across the United States and Canada. Acquired and merged with several other directories. Most recent copy kept at the research desk for reference.
New England, East Coast Community Guide for Gay Men & Lesbians
Also known as the Pink Pages, this guide to business and services focuses on New England and the East Coast. Most recent copy kept at the research desk for reference.
Other Sources
The Harvey Milk Institute Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Internet Research by Call Number: HQ76.25 .H375 2002ISBN: 9781560233527Publication Date: 2001-11-26Published in 2001, this guide to internet research serves better now as a primary source giving insight into early LGBTQ+ internet communities than as a practical guide to finding information today.
