Political Organizing
Homophiles of Penn State
The idea for Homophiles of Penn State came from a non-credit class offered by the “Free University” within Penn State called “Homosexuality: A Growing Subculture.” The founders of the group applied for a charter to be official student organization under the name “The Other Vision: Homophiles of Penn State” but more commonly referred to as Homophiles of Penn State or HOPS.
On April 20, 1971, the Penn State Undergraduate Student Supreme Court decided to give this new group an official charter. They could now use college facilities for events and apply for and receive funding for its activities.
They the administration temporarily revoked HOPS charter to investigate its legality that April. Finally on September 1st, admin revoked the charter because of psychological opinions (homosexuality wasn’t removed from the DSM until 1973). In February of 1972 four students sued the administration under the first and fourteenth amendments. HOPS finally won and was reinstated on January 24, 1973.
While fighting for the charter, HOPS still held meetings and events. The Gay Liberation Festival, one of their biggest events, could be considered the first pride celebration in Central PA. They also brought in speakers from surrounding cities, like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Another notable event was the Gay Awareness Festival on campus, in May of 1979. This organization was disbanded in the early 1980s and would be replaced by various other gay organizations on Penn State's campus. (1)
On April 20, 1971, the Penn State Undergraduate Student Supreme Court decided to give this new group an official charter. They could now use college facilities for events and apply for and receive funding for its activities.
They the administration temporarily revoked HOPS charter to investigate its legality that April. Finally on September 1st, admin revoked the charter because of psychological opinions (homosexuality wasn’t removed from the DSM until 1973). In February of 1972 four students sued the administration under the first and fourteenth amendments. HOPS finally won and was reinstated on January 24, 1973.
While fighting for the charter, HOPS still held meetings and events. The Gay Liberation Festival, one of their biggest events, could be considered the first pride celebration in Central PA. They also brought in speakers from surrounding cities, like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Another notable event was the Gay Awareness Festival on campus, in May of 1979. This organization was disbanded in the early 1980s and would be replaced by various other gay organizations on Penn State's campus. (1)
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Spotlight: Joe Acanfora Being involved in HOPS caused personal legal trouble for Joe Acanfora, who was a student teacher at the time of the lawsuit. He was forced to take legal action to protect student teaching position. When it came time to get his teaching license, he was asked a personal questionnaire to get teaching license in PA had to jump through ridiculous hoops. So, he applied to jobs in Maryland but, he still had to tell the MD school district, which moved him to administration. Eventually MD denied Joe’s return to the classroom. He appealed to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals but, his position was terminated and the Upper Court supported the position of the Lower. (1) |
Northeast Pennsylvania Gay Alliance (NEPGA) Newsletter, bottom paragraph featuring announcement of HOPS founding, 1979, LGBT-001, Dickinson College Archives
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Lehigh Valley Homophile Organization (Le-Hi-Ho)
The Lehigh Valley Homophile Organization, more commonly referred to as Le-Hi-Ho, was established in 1969 to create a social and supportive space for individuals in the gay community. As evident in their constitution, (pictured on the right) the group’s purpose states: “The purpose of this organization is to formulate and achieve the rightful place in society for the homosexually oriented individual.” (2) They published monthly newsletters from 1969 to 1988 that featured various articles relating to social events in the central Pennsylvania area. As well as information ranging from counseling to even medical health services.
Le-Hi-Ho Newsletter, April 1977, LGBT-001, Dickinson College Archives
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What is Le-Hi-Ho Flyer, 1969, LGBT- 001, Dickinson College Archives
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Through the organization, they could host events curated explicitly for the gay community about problems that not only plague the LGBTQ+ society, such as alcoholism, mental health issues, and sexual health prevention. Additionally, Le-Hi-Ho often had columns (pictured right) that focused on the progress of the Gay Civil Rights movement in and out of Pennsylvania. They would provide monthly updates on the development of several different legal challenges and societal. (3)
DID YOU KNOW?
Le-Hi-Ho was founded SIX days before the events at Stonewall, demonstrating that the group’s organizing was not intended to be seen as a part of a reactionary force.
Le-Hi-Ho was founded SIX days before the events at Stonewall, demonstrating that the group’s organizing was not intended to be seen as a part of a reactionary force.
Gay Switchboard
The Harrisburg branch of the Gay Switchboard (later renamed the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard) was initiated in April of 1975 by GCS (Gay Community Service) with activist Jerry Brennan. Brennan invited the Philly branch of the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard to consult with GCS and CONTACT (a community service organization that helped with crisis training). Originally the Switchboard was located in the garage of local gay couple but the working conditions in this location were poor. So, the Switchboard moved to a room above the Strawberry Bar (gay bar) in downtown Harrisburg. Unfortunately, there was a fire that destroyed their records and even killed someone. (4)
Flyer advertising the performance of "That Rabbit" sponsored by the Gay Switchboard of Harrisburg, 1981, LGBT-061, Dickinson College Archives
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“We, ourselves, were not counselors. We were not social workers, but we would direct them: ‘Here is the appropriate agency you can call.’ Sometimes people would be visiting from out of town and just call and say, ‘Where are the bars?’ So to me, given that it was such a conservative community, that in itself was a form of activism.” - John Folby (5) |
The main goal of the Switchboard was to refer people to different agencies (counseling, crisis, social life). Community members have explained how there was no really central place or way to meet with other gay/lesbian people and find where people went, so the Switchboard served that purpose. It shut down shortly after the turn of the century because of the changing times and technology. (4)
Dignity, Central PA
Dignity is an organization that caters to Catholic LGBTQ+ people, founded out of a need in the gay community for spiritual leaders, in light of conflict with religious institutions in general. Prior to a Dignity chapter being established in Central PA, Dignity already had chapters in Philly, Pittsburg, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. Jerry Brennan went to the national convention in 1975 and the national leader, Paul Diederich, encouraged him to start his own chapter in the Central PA area.
They first meeting took place on July 12, 1975 in Reading, PA at Reverend Jim Miller’s house. However, they ran into some trouble when looking for a permanent location: none of the religious spaces would rent to a gay group. Finally, the religious society of Friends (Quakers) agreed to let them rent a space in their meeting house. (6)
Reverend Wallace E. Sawdy was the chaplain for Dignity - he fully supported the idea and led masses once a month for 20 years. He also was a counselor and helped people reconcile their gay identity with their Catholicism.
They first meeting took place on July 12, 1975 in Reading, PA at Reverend Jim Miller’s house. However, they ran into some trouble when looking for a permanent location: none of the religious spaces would rent to a gay group. Finally, the religious society of Friends (Quakers) agreed to let them rent a space in their meeting house. (6)
Reverend Wallace E. Sawdy was the chaplain for Dignity - he fully supported the idea and led masses once a month for 20 years. He also was a counselor and helped people reconcile their gay identity with their Catholicism.
Reverend Wallace E. Sawdy preparing to offer mass for members of Dignity/Central PA at the Society of Friends Meeting House in Harrisburg, PA, 1985. Courtesy of LGBT-029, Dickinson College Archives.
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Pin with Dignity/Central PA's logo, 1985. Courtesy of LGBT-015, Dickinson College Archives.
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They usually had some religious meeting (liturgy/service/discussion) followed by a dinner and social hour. The services would draw 15-20 people but the dinners up to 40 people and special events 100. Some of these special events included classes (on a variety of subjects from public health to coming out), film screenings, lectures, and picnics.
Dignity Central PA also had a newsletter called, The Keystone, to let people know about upcoming events and news. (6)
Dignity Central PA also had a newsletter called, The Keystone, to let people know about upcoming events and news. (6)
Members of Dignity/Central PA gathering in 1985 at the organization's 10th anniversary celebration, with invited speaker and entertainer Quentin Crisp. Left to right: Jerry Brennan (founder); Richard Hause; Quentin Crisp;William Clifford, 1985. Courtesy of LGBT-029, Dickinson College Archives.
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The Keystone Newsletter (Dignity/Central PA), March 1977, LGBT - 001, Dickinson College Archives
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Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus
For more information about the PA Rural Gay Caucus, view another one of our online exhibits here!
Despite all of the organizing after the events of Stonewall, not all LGBTQ+ activists had the same vision for their communities. In the next section, you'll read about the differing opinions within the Central PA LGBTQ+ community...
Citations
- William Burton, Barry Loveland, Out in Central Pennsylvania: The History of an LGBTQ Community (2020), Chpt. 3, pp. 65-75.
- Le-Hi-Ho Newsletter, Jun 1969. Courtesy of LGBT- 001 Joseph R. Burns Collection, Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive and the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project, Dickinson College Archive.
- Le-Hi-Ho Newsletter, Jan-Jul 1970. Courtesy of LGBT- 001 Joseph R. Burns Collection, Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive and the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project, Dickinson College Archive.
- William Burton, Barry Loveland, Out in Central Pennsylvania: The History of an LGBTQ Community (2020), Chpt. 2, pp. 46-47.
- John Folby, interviewed by Blake Barker, 26 March 2014, LGBT Oral History 035, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
- William Burton, Barry Loveland, Out in Central Pennsylvania: The History of an LGBTQ Community (2020), Chpt. 2, pp. 41-45.
