The Geoff Mains papers document the personal and professional life of the late leather activist and author of the groundbreaking book, “Urban Aboriginals: A Celebration of Leather Sexuality.” The papers includes personal and professional correspondence; materials related to “Urban Aboriginals” and “Gentle Warriors,” his novel about San Francisco in crisis; other writings, including articles, poetry and a serialized novel about gay life in Vancouver, “Roofwater Chronicles”; journals; subject files; artwork; audiotaped interviews and personalia.

Geoff Mains was born May 29, 1947. He had a doctorate in biochemistry and spent much of his professional career in Vancouver, B.C., where he was a member of the faculty of the Forestry Department at the University of British Columbia. In 1984, he was employed by Environmental Science Associates in San Francisco, enabling him to move to the city, “which he considered his true home” (San Francisco Bay Guardian obitituary). Mains will be best remembered in the gay community for his groundbreaking book, “Urban Aboriginals: A Celebration of Leather Sexuality” (1984). He also wrote a powerful novel about San Francisco in crisis, “Gentle Warriors.” Mains died of complications arising from AIDS on June 21, 1989. He was 42 years old.

7 cartons, 1 box, 2 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder (9.15 linear feet)

Copyright has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society.

Collection is open for research with the following restrictions: some of the interviews in Box 2 are currently restricted. Please contact the Managing Archivist for more information. Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).