Finding aid to the Daniel Nicoletta Photographs Collection, 1976-2000
GLC 36
Finding aid prepared by Tim Wilson
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
info@sfpl.org
2000
Title: Daniel Nicoletta Photographs Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1976-2000
Collection Identifier: GLC 36
Creator:
Nicoletta, Daniel
Physical Description:
4 oversized boxes
(34.0 images)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The collection is a portfolio of 33 images chosen and arranged by Daniel Nicoletta, a San Francisco-based freelance photographer.
He has been documenting the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities since 1975. The collection showcases the wide
range of his work including informal street scenes and formal studio portraits. A signed and framed photo of Harvey Milk taken
by Nicoletta was added in 2014.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English
Access
Available for viewing during the San Francisco History Center's Historical Photograph Collection hours: Tues.: 1-5; Thurs.:
1-5; Sat.: 10-12, 1-5.
Publication Rights
Copyright retained by Daniel Nicoletta.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Daniel Nicoletta Photographs Collection (GLC 36), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
Photographs 1-33 were donated by the Friends and Foundation of the San Francisco Public Library, 2000. A framed photograph
of Harvey Milk "Harvey at the Seaside" was donated by Liam Davis, December 2014.
Biographical note
Daniel Nicoletta is a San Francisco-based freelance photographer who has been documenting the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender communities since 1975. He was hired by Harvey Milk to work at Castro Camera and later worked on Milk's supervisorial
campaigns. His work has been featured in
The Times of Harvey Milk,
Sex Is,
The Mayor of Castro Street,
Gay by the Bay, and many other venues.
Scope and Contents
This collection is a portfolio of 33 images, chosen and arranged by the artist, showcasing the wide range of his work including
informal street scenes and formal studio portraits. Early influences of Diane Arbus particularly informed his fascination
with famous figures in San Francisco's transgender community. A signed and framed photo of Harvey Milk taken by Nicoletta
was added in 2014.
Arrangement note
The photographs are in the order preferred by the photographer. The framed photo donated by Liam Davis is boxed at the end
of the collection.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Milk, Harvey--Pictorial works
Gays--California--San Francisco--Social life and customs--20th century--Photograph collections
San Francisco (Calif.)--Biography--Portraits
San Francisco (Calif.)--Social life and customs--20th century--Photograph collections
Transsexuals--California--San Francisco--Portraits.
Photograph 1
Grenade Boy,
May 13, 1996
General Physical Description note: Models: Mark Ewert and Jillian Clarke (mother figure in background); Styling: Scott Pimintel, Jillian's wig by Deena Davenport.
Homàge to Diane Arbus' photo
Child with a toy Hand Grenade in Central Park.
Photograph 2
Scorchy's Holster, San Francisco Queer Pride Parade,
June 28, 1992
Photograph 3
Former Cockettes Hibiscus and Ebony St. Gerard in a post-Cockettes show by Hibiscus called
Femme Fatale,
August 1976
Photograph 4
Divine terrorizing his audience at Trockadero Dance Club,
October 29, 1978
Photograph 5
LaKish and friends at the Empress Coronation Drag Ball,
January 28, 1978
Photograph 6
Sylvester performing at Trockadero Transfer Dance Club,
Spring 1978
Photograph 7
Trockadero Transfer,
Spring 1978
Photograph 8
3rd Annual Castro Street Fair,
August 1976
Photograph 9
Backstage with the Angels of Light during their show
Mind Kamp Kabaret,
August 1976
General note
Anton Dunnington (also known as Reggie) and Adrian Brooks.
Photograph 10
Harvey Milk clowning around at his Castro Street Camera Store with campaign worker Medora Payne and her mother Gretchen Payne
(front left),
February 1977
Photograph 11
José Sarria, Harvey Milk and Mavis at the Beaux Arts Drag Ball, presenting a donation for the purchase of uniforms for the
San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band,
October 28, 1978
Photograph 12
White Night Riot,
May 21, 1979
Photograph 13
Harvey's Suit,
July 26, 1995
[Self-portrait of Danny Nicoletta in the suit Harvey Milk was wearing the day he was assassinated] [graphic]: July 26, 1995
General note
Self portrait in the suit Harvey Milk was wearing the day he was assassinated.
Photograph 14
Cirus and Frederick, San Francisco Queer Pride Parade,
June 28, 1992
Photograph 15
Crystal May (also known as Eric Wohlgemuth), San Francisco Queer Pride Parade,
June 28, 1992
Photograph 16
Crystal May lying in state,
January 3, 1996
General note
Also pictured Zeb, Carry Boisvert, Ivana Tramp.
Photograph 17
The Hospital Zone-–Danny Celeri returning home after a hospital stay,
October 28, 1997
Photograph 18
Ric Jacobsen being arrested at the Demonstration for Women's AIDS Issues at the 6th International AIDS Conference, San Francisco,
California,
June 22, 1990
Photograph 19
Miss Kitty (also known as Dan Jones),
November 26, 1991
Photograph 20
Angel in America: Portrait of Miss Kitty (also known as Dan Jones),
August 6, 1994
General note
Styling by Scott Pimintel, make up by Juliet White, wings by Hogan Vando.
Photograph 21
Mark Ewert and Allen Ginsberg,
October 5, 1996
Photograph 22
John Burnside III and Harry Hay and Radical Faerie friends,
August 17, 2000
General note
(back row:) Timothy Latz (also known as Buttercup), Thomas Byers (also known as Tree,) Carlos Perea (also known as Pokie),
and Peter Kesselman (also known as Buckwheat), (front row:) John Burnside III, Harry Hay.
Photograph 23
Jennifer and Norm Halm, mother and son who are both queer,
December 1, 1998
Photograph 24
Loren Cameron,
October 22, 1996
Photograph 25
Cougar Cash (also known as Michael Purcell),
April 11, 1991
Photograph 26
Sam Beasley,
August 16, 1991
Photograph 27
Stafford,
July 21, 1991
General note
Make up by Jake.
Photograph 28
Dykes with Decks, San Francisco Queer Pride Celebration,
June 25, 1989
Photograph 29
San Francisco Queer Pride Celebration, differently abled people's section for viewing mainstage show in the Civic Center,
June 25, 1989
Photograph 30
Native American Indian Advocate Randy Burns and friend at San Francisco Queer Pride Parade,
June 25, 2000
Photograph 31
Bar hoppers on Halloween in front of Marlena's Bar, Hayes Valley, San Francisco,
October 31, 1997
Photograph 32
Dressing Room, Finocchio's during the last week of performances,
November 20, 1999
Photograph 33
Rainbow Flag at Castro and Market Streets in San Francisco flown at half mast on the day after Matthew Shepard was murdered
in Laramie Wyoming,
October 13, 1998
Photograph 34
Harvey at the Seaside [Harvey Milk in a clown suit],
May 21, 1978
General note
Framed (14x17-inches). Black and white print 4/20, signed by Daniel Nicoletta.
