Finding aid to the Lynn Edward Harris papers, 1917-2009
Coll2012-137
Joseph R. Hawkins
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Lynn Edward Harris papers
creator:
Harris, Lynn Edward
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012-137
Physical Description:
7.3 Linear Feet
3 archive boxes + 2 archive binder boxes + 2 archive cartons + 2 archive shoeboxes + 1 oversize flat box.
Date (inclusive): 1917-2009
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Photographs, legal documents, manuscripts, personal and business correspondence, lecture notes, videotapes, audiotapes, clippings,
scrapbooks, floppy disks, memorabilia and other material from actor, lecturer and intersex person, Lynn Edward Harris (1950-
). Born intersexed, Harris was raised female despite being born with ambiguous genitalia. The collection documents Harris
throughout his life, including his transition to living publicly as male, and the subsequent public speaking engagements and
legal challenge to the California Court's refusal to allow him to legally change gender.
Biography
Lynn Elizabeth Harris was born in the City of Orange, California on September 13, 1950. Harris was born with ambiguous genitalia
and is what is today referred to as intersex, or in more dated terms, "hermaphrodite." Harris was identified as female in
a birth certificate, and was subsequently raised female without medical intervention. Through puberty, Harris did not menstruate,
grew facial hair and had an altered voice; but continued to present as female. Harris wore women's clothing and a padded bra
to appear more feminine, and went on to compete in and win local beauty pageants, including Costa Mesa Junior Miss in 1968.
Upon graduation, Harris left to be an actress and model in Los Angeles. Harris also worked in retail beauty sales, office
work, and later occasionally with prostitution.
In 1973, Harris began undergoing tests and exploratory surgeries. A team of doctors diagnosed Harris with Stein-Leventhal
Syndrome or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Although doctors informed Harris that physical features would further masculinize
over time, Harris reacted by increasing efforts at feminization.
Six years after the diagnosis, and after counseling, Harris decided to begin living as a male. He bought male clothes, let
facial hair grow, and changed his middle name from Elizabeth to Edward. Four years later, he applied to have his birth certificate
re-issued after having difficulty using his female California-issued identification card. The petition was initially rejected
because of a lack of supporting medical evidence. However Harris persisted and eventually the court allowed him to have his
birth certificate re-issued and to have his name legally changed. As such, Harris' case is a legal precedent for those wanting
to change their legal sex without surgery. After his legal battle Harris became a spokesperson for intersex rights, gave lectures,
and appeared frequently on national television and radio programs.
By 2008, Harris was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Sources:
Box 2, Folder 7, Lynn Edward Harris Papers, Coll2012-137, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of
Southern California
"Interview With the Hermaphrodite: The many faces of Lynn Harris,"
OC Weekly, October 7, 1999, gregstacy.wordpress.com/2006/11/25/interview-with-the-hermaphrodite-the-many-faces-of-lynn-harris
"Born True Hermaphrodite - Pictorial Profile," Angelfire, www.angelfire.com/ca2/BornHermaphrodite
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Acquisition Information
A portion of the collection was donated directly by Harris, 2008. The remainder of the collection was forwarded from the West
Hollywood Library, where Harris had sent it in 2008.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder #, or item name] Lynn Edward Harris Papers, Coll2012-137, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries,
University of Southern California
Processing Information
Collection processed by Joseph R. Hawkins, December 2012.
Scope and Content
This collection comprises photographs, legal documents, manuscripts, personal and business correspondence, lecture notes,
videotapes, audiotapes, clippings, scrapbooks, floppy disks, memorabilia and other materials from actor, lecturer, and intersex
person Lynn Edward Harris (1950- ). The bulk of this collection is related to Harris' personal life and the complications
related to his intersex status, as well as his career as an actor, talk show spokesperson, and amateur writer.
The Personal Materials Series consists of Harris' resumes and work portfolios, vital records and legal documents, scrapbooks,
school report cards and yearbooks, personal correspondence, clippings, medical records and other personal material. The Writings
series consists of Harris' manuscripts and related material--including, notably, multiple versions of Harris' autobiographies
such as "I, the Hermaphrodite," and "More Lives Than One."
The Lectures, Articles and Research on Intersex Issues Series consists of materials related to Harris' public speaking engagements
and lecture "A Path of Androgyny," as well as many journal articles and books of which Harris was the co-writer or subject
of research. The Photographs Series consists of hundreds of photographs of Harris throughout his life, from his childhood
years raised as female, through his later years when he began living publicly as male. The Audiocassettes and Videocassettes
Series contains VHS tapes of Harris' various talk show appearances and audiocassettes of Harris' interviews and lectures.
The Trophies and Memorabilia Series comprises awards Harris received in speech contests and pageants such as Costa Mesa Junior
Miss Pageant; as well as other memorabilia, including buttons, ribbons, a sash, and an inscribed silver cup.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1. Personal material
Series 2. Writings
Series 3. Lectures, articles and research material on intersex and transgender issues
Series 4. Photographs
Series 5. Audiocassettes and videocassettes
Series 6. Trophies and memorabilia
Separated Materials
Two bundles of Lynn Edward Harris' hair have been separated from the collection and placed in the Collection Administration
folder in ONE Archives' internal records.
Separated Materials
The following periodicals have been separated from the collection and placed in the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives' Periodicals
Collection:
Boy's Own, 1998-2003 (6 issues)
GenderFlex, Vol. IV, Issue 23 (1994)
"Guidelines for Transsexuals," Erickson Educational Foundation, September 1976
Hermaphrodites with Attitude, Intersex Society of North America newsletters, 1994-1999
The ICTLEP Reporter, the newsletter of the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy, Inc., November 1995-January 1996
ONE Magazine, March 1959
Our Sorority, An Outreach Publication, Issue 16 (September 1987)
Outreach Beacon, Spring 1987 and Spring-Summer 1988
Renaissance, Volume IV, No. 3 (October 1979)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gender identity
Intersex people -- Identity
Intersex people
Transsexuals
Transgender people
Harris, Lynn Edward
Personal material Series 1.
1917-2009
Series Description
This series comprises Harris' resumes and work portfolios, vital records and legal documents, scrapbooks, school report cards
and yearbooks, personal correspondence, clippings, medical records and other personal material.
Arrangement
Yearbooks from Harris' mother and grandmother have been placed at the end of this series. The remaining folders are arranged
chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 4
Grade school report cards
1956-1958
Box 4, Folder 1-6
Scrapbooks and material found loose
1960-1986
Physical Description: [6 folders]
Box 1, Folder 5
Costa Mesa Savings Harbor Hi-Lites newsletter
1963-1964
Box 1, Folder 6
Costa Mesa Savings, clippings and correspondence
1964
Box 1, Folder 7
Junior high school yearbook, "The Golden Years"
1964
Box 1, Folder 8
High school report cards
1965-1968
Box 1, Folder 9-10
High school yearbooks
1965-1966
Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 4, Folder 7
High school graduation, correspondence and momentos
1968
Box 1, Folder 13
Orange Coast College report cards
1968-1969
Resumes, portfolio and vitae
1968-2001
Box 1, Folder 14
Legal documents, resume, and before-and-after photographs (photocopied)
1968-1994
Box 1, Folder 15
Theatrical resumes
1978-2001
Box 1, Folder 16
Work and publicity
1978-1981
Box 1, Folder 17-18
Writing samples and day job resumes
1993-2000
Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 2, Folder 2
[Modeling portfolio] publishing company; International Security Conference tabloid papers
Undated
Box 1, Folder 19
Psychological profile and self observation
1976-1986
Box 1, Folder 20-24
Correspondence
1979-2005
Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 5
Driver's licenses and identification cards
1980-2000
Box 1, Folder 25
Decree changing name
1983
Box 1, Folder 26-27
Fan mail
1986-2005
Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 1, Folder 28
Cedars Sinai Medical Center research study
1995
Box 1, Folder 29
Personal website printouts
1999
Box 1, Folder 30
OC Weekly cover story
1999
Box 1, Folder 31-35
Medical records
2005-2009
Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 2, Folder 4
Voice modulation exercises
Undated
Box 1, Folder 2
Grandmother's high school yearbook
1917
Box 1, Folder 3
Mother's high school yearbook
1944
Writings Series 2.
1964-2004
Series Description
This series comprises Harris' writings--manuscripts, floppy disks, and related material--including multiple versions of Harris'
autobiographies such as "I, the Hermaphrodite" and "More Lives Than One." This series also includes Harris' fictional and
short works, as well as poetry. Note that additional magazine and journal articles co-written by Harris can also be found
in Series 3: Lectures, articles and research material on intersex issues.
Arrangement
Harris' long-form manuscripts and related material are at the beginning of this series. The remaining folders are arranged
alphabetically.
Box 2, Folder 6
"Bring Your Own Body" manuscript
1971
Box 2, Folder 7-11
Manuscript
1986
Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 2, Folder 13
Certificate of Copyright
1986
Box 2, Folder 14
Manuscript outline and synopsis
1986
Box 2, Folder 16
Manuscript information, page list and titles list
1986
Box 2, Folder 20
Incomplete manuscript
circa 1970-1986
Box 2, Folder 21-23
Manuscript
1986
Physical Description: [3 folders]
Box 2, Folder 24-26
Manuscript [second copy]
1986
Physical Description: [3 folders]
"Of Pyramids, Points, & People"
Box 2, Folder 18
"Oh, Liberate Me from Women's Lib" manuscript
1976
Box 2, Folder 28
"Wrap Your Postage with Dreams" manuscript
1976
Box 3, Folder 2
Correspondence, incoming
1981-2003
Box 3, Folder 3
Correspondence, outgoing
1988-2002
Box 8
Floppy disks
Undated
Physical Description: 9 floppy disks (3 1/2 in.).
Box 4, Folder 10
Letters of reference
1980-2001
Box 3, Folder 6
Publishers, agents, and production companies
1980-1999
Box 3, Folder 8
Reviews of Laguna Beach and Century City readings
1976
Box 3, Folder 9
Short works and plays
1964-1967
Lectures, articles and research material on intersex issues Series 3.
1967-2005
Series Description
This series comprises clippings, correspondence, manuscripts, journals, pamphlets, television transcripts, promotional material,
slides and research material documenting Harris' public speaking engagements on intersex concerns, as well as the many journal
articles and books of which Harris was the writer, co-writer, or subject of research. In particular, this series includes
material used for Harris' lecture series, "A Path of Androgyny."
Arrangement
Folders related to Harris' lecture on intersex issues are at the beginning of this series. The remaining folders are arranged
chronologically.
Lecture and speaking engagements
Box 3, Folder 11
Clippings, one-woman show
1977
Box 3, Folder 12
Conferences and seminars
1984-1999
Box 3, Folder 14
"A Path of Androgyny" lecture flyer
1985
Box 3, Folder 15
"A Path of Androgyny" lecture material
1985
Box 5
Slides for lecture
circa 1950-1985
Physical Description: 47 slides: b&w, col.
Box 3, Folder 17
Speaking engagements
1967-2000
Box 3, Folder 43-49
Clippings and photocopied articles on intersex concerns
circa 1975-2005
Physical Description: [7 folders]
Box 4, Folder 11
Television and radio correspondence, guest appearances
1988-2003
Box 3, Folder 51
Television talkshow transcripts
1988-1997
Box 3, Folder 18
Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, article by Ronald Wong Jue
1988
Box 3, Folder 19
"Intersex: A social dilemma" Social Issues Resources Series
1988
Box 3, Folder 20
Annotated articles and research notes
1988-2000
Box 3, Folder 21
Data News, by Lois M. Rodden
1993
Box 3, Folder 22
Journal of Sex Research, article by Milton Diamond
1995
Box 3, Folder 23
"Intersex Awakenings,"
Chrysalis, correspondence for article by Lynn Edward Harris
1995
Box 3, Folder 24
International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy paper
1995
Box 4, Folder 12
Institute of Gay and Lesbian Education
1995
Box 4, Folder 13
Research notes and clippings
1995-2000
Box 3, Folder 26
Gender Blending, by Bonnie Bullough, Vern L. Bullough and James Elias
1995
Box 3, Folder 27
Gender Shock, by Phyllis Burke
1996
Box 3, Folder 28
Sexually Stigmatized Communities, by Chuck Stewart, correspondence
1996-1999
Box 3, Folder 29
Personals: Portraits of Real People and Their Personal Ads, by Michael C. Smith
1998
Box 3, Folder 31
Intersex Society of North America,
HWA Quarterly articles by and about Harris
1998
Box 3, Folder 32
University of Warwick, thesis by Tracey Lee
1998
Box 3, Folder 33
Astrology thesis by Simon Wickham-Smith
1998
Box 3, Folder 34
Gires Directory correspondence
1999
Box 3, Folder 35
"A Paradox in Pants," Taygetos anthology submission, by Lynn Edward Harris
1999
Box 3, Folder 36
Anthology submission by Lynn Edward Harris for book edited by Chuck Stewart
1999
Box 3, Folder 37
Articles by Milton Diamond
1999-2000
Box 3, Folder 39
Stop Hate Educate correspondence
2001
Box 3, Folder 40
Manuscript and correspondence with Milton Diamond
2001
Box 3, Folder 41
Photocopied pages from
Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides
2002
Box 3, Folder 42
Untitled book by Chuck Stewart
2004
Box 4, Folder 14
"The Comparison of Androgynes" article
Undated
Photographs Series 4.
1950-2007
Harris (Lynn Edward) photographs, sample
Series Description
This series includes photographs, negatives, a slide, and some related correspondence. The bulk of the photographs documents
Harris throughout his lifetime, from his childhood years raised as female, through his later years when he began living publicly
as male. This series also includes Harris' numerous modeling and acting headshots from the 1970s.
Arrangement
Photos of unidentified people have been placed at the end of this series. The remaining photographs are in approximate chronological
order.
Box 6
Modeling and acting portfolio
circa 1970-1979
Box 6
Unidentified people
circa 1960-2005
Audiocassettes and videocassettes Series 5.
1979-2000
Series Description
This series contains VHS tapes of Harris' various talk show appearances, as well as audiocassettes of Harris' interviews and
lectures.
Arrangement
This series is grouped by format and arranged chronologically.
Box 8, Item 10
Lynn Harris speaking on androgyne
Undated
Physical Description: 1 audiocassette (35 min.)
Box 8, Item 11
Lew Irwin Show, Earth News Radio, Lynn Harris interview
January 29, 1979
Physical Description: 1 audiocassette.
Box 8, Item 12
Earth News Radio, Lynn Harris interview
January 29, 1979
Physical Description: 1 audiocassette.
Box 8, Item 13
Lew Irwin Show, Earth News Radio, Lynn Harris interview
January 29, 1979
Physical Description: 1 audiocassette.
Box 8, Item 14
APRT 3rd Annual Conference, A Case of Androgyny, Ronald Wong Jue, Ph.D. and Lynn Harris
October 8, 1983
Physical Description: 1 audiocassette.
Box 8, Item 15-17
Carol Hemingway Show KGIL, Lynn Harris interview
November 28, 1988
Physical Description: 3 audiocassettes.
Box 8, Item 18-21
Michael Jackson Show, KABC Talkradio AM 790, Lynn Harris interview
December 7, 1988
Physical Description: 4 audiocassettes.
Box 8, Item 22-23
International Congress on Gender, Cross-Dressing and Sex Issues. Session II: Legal Issues, Lynn Harris, Louis Swatz, Ph.D.
and Stephen Whittle
February 25, 1995
Physical Description: 2 audiocassettes.
Box 8, Item 24
Lynn Edward Harris, Whittier College
April 26, 1995
Physical Description: 1 audiocassette.
VHS videocassettes
1989-2000
Box 7, Item 1-2
Mix Master Sally, AM LA, Geraldo, Donahue
1989
Physical Description: 2 videocassettes (VHS).
Box 7, Item 3
Interview AM LA ABC TV
February 2, 1989
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS).
Box 7, Item 4-5
Sally's Show (Jesse Raphael)
April 27, 1989
Physical Description: 2 videocassettes (VHS).
Box 7, Item 6
Geraldo Show, CBS
July 27, 1989
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS).
Box 7, Item 7
Donahue, "Roundtable of Sexual Oddities"
October 10, 1989
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS).
Box 7, Item 8-9
Donahue Show
November 27, 1989
Physical Description: 2 videocassettes (VHS).
Box 7, Item 10-11
Montel Williams Show
April 24, 1992
Physical Description: 2 videocassettes (VHS).
Box 7, Item 12
Lynn, #252, profile (1)
circa 1993
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS) (20 min.).
Box 7, Item 13-14
Dish, Episode 63; Lynn Harris Special Guest
1994
Physical Description: 2 videocassettes (VHS) (27:30).
Box 7, Item 15
Strange Universe Show #2072
November 11, 1997
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS) (28:30).
Box 7, Item 16
Doc Talk Show #2
November 5, 1999
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS).
Box 7, Item 17
Maury, "My Secret Destroyed My Family!"
September 29, 1999
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS).
Box 7, Item 18
The Leeza Gibbons Show
February 28, 2000
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS).
Trophies and memorabilia Series 6.
1950-2000
Series Description
This series contains trophies Harris received in speech contests and pageants such as Costa Mesa Junior Miss Pageant; as well
as other memorabilia, including buttons, ribbons, a sash, and an inscribed silver cup.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically.
Box 10, Item 1
Button: "Cal State Fullerton, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Association (LGBA)"
Undated
Box 10, Item 2
Button with photograph of Lynn Edward Harris
Undated
Box 10, Item 4
Ribbon: "Los Angeles, Presenter, Facilitator"
Undated
Box 10, Item 5
Ribbon: "Participant, Southern Orange County Junior Miss Pageant 1968"
1968
Box 9, Item 1
Sash: "Costa Mesa Jr. Miss 1968"
1968
Box 10, Item 6
Silver cup: "Lynn Elizabeth Harris Sept. 13, 1950"
1950
Box 10, Item 7
"1968 Costa Mesa Junior Miss Pageant 1st"
1968
Physical Description: 1 trophy.
Box 10, Item 8
"California District Exchange Clubs; Search for Talent Finals, Runner-up Fresno"
June 22, 1967
Physical Description: 1 trophy.
Box 10, Item 9
"Lynn Harris; Costa Mesa Christmas Decorations 1967, Miss Tinsel"
1967
Physical Description: 1 trophy.
Box 10, Item 10
"Newport Harbor; Search for Talent 1967, 1st Place--Senior"
1967
Physical Description: 1 trophy.
Box 10, Item 11
"Superiority in Dramatic; Lynn Harris"
May 27, 1966
Physical Description: 1 trophy.