Finding Aid to the Joe Altman photographs of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day
Parades PC 040
Jaime Henderson
California Historical Society
May 2019
678 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
reference@calhist.org
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
California Historical Society
Title: Joe Altman photographs of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parades
Creator:
Altman, Joe, 1945-1991
Identifier/Call Number: PC 040
Physical Description:
0.4375 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1979-1985
Date (bulk): 1979
Abstract: Collection contains 77 black and white,
gelatin silver print photographs of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade (1979-1980) and
the San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade (1981-1985) taken by Joe
Altman between 1979 and 1985.
Biographical / Historical
Joe Altman was born December 1, 1945 in New York state. He moved to San Francisco at age
21. Altman was a photographer, primarily capturing portraits of gay couples and important
events in the gay community such as candlelight marches and Freedom Day parades. Altman died
on April 4, 1991 in Santa Rosa, California.
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Joe
Altman were transferred to the California Historical Society (CHS) in October 1985 by Joe
Altman. Reproduction or publication of materials in this collection beyond that allowed by
fair use requires the written permission of CHS. Please contact rights@calhist.org
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Joe Altman, 1985.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item, date]; Joe Altman photographs of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day
Parades, PC 040; [box number, folder number]; California Historical Society.
Scope and Contents
Collection contains 77 black and white, gelatin silver print photographs of the San
Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade (1979-1980) and the San Francisco International Lesbian and
Gay Freedom Day Parade (1981-1985) taken by Joe Altman between 1979 and 1985. Collection
also contains 69 contact sheets; 12 photocopies of contact sheets. Contact sheets were
printed for every year between 1979 and 1985, but not all photographs represented in the
contact sheets were included in this collection. Bulk of the photographic prints cover the
1979 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. The photographs of the 1979 parade show gay
organizations participating in the parade including the Gay Atheist League; Sha'ar Zahav, a
gay synagogue; Gay Latino Alliance; Society of Janus; gay members of the Libertarian Party;
Harvey Milk Gay Democratic Club; San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching and Twirling Corps;
Lesbian/Gay Cause of Butte County; Community United Against Violence; Golden Gate Business
Association; Los Angeles Gay Freedom Band; National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay
Rights contingent; Gay People's Union at Stanford; Straights for Gay Rights; Gays Against
Nuclear Power; Ministers for Human Rights; Dykes on Bikes; and the San Francisco Lesbian
Mothers. Floats representing the following gay businesses are represented: Boot Rack; The
Watergarden Baths; Blue Front Dely; Bulldog Baths; Club Bath Chain; I-Beam; DeLuxe Bar; and
the Trocadero Transfer (represented in a float from the 1982 parade). Individuals identified
in the 1979 parade photographs include: Guy Corry; Mr. National Gay Rodeo, 1979; George
Bosque; Bob Ross of the Bay Area Reporter; Harry Britt; Leonard Matlovich; Ed Paulson, Mr.
Gay Muscular Dystrophy; and Tim Phillips.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gay pride parades -- California -- San Francisco -- Pictorial
works
Gays -- California -- San Francisco -- Pictorial works
Lesbian -- California -- San Francisco -- Pictorial works
Photographic prints
San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade
1979-06-24
Physical Description: 11
folders
Scope and Contents
Contains contact sheets and photographic prints of the 1979 San Francisco Gay Freedom
Day parade.
Box 01, Folder 01
Contact sheets
Scope and Contents
Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1979 San Francisco Gay Freedom
Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 02
Identification sheets
Scope and Contents
Contains identification sheets listing the title and numerical identification of the
photographic prints of the 1979 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 03
Men in costume on Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-1-4/4A
Box 01, Folder 03
Gay Atheist League Contingent with Harvey Milk banner
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-1-8/8A
Box 01, Folder 03
Bob Stein bearing Sha'ar Zahav, gay synagogue banner, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-1-13/13A
Box 01, Folder 03
Bob Stein, Sha'ar Zahav, gay synagogue
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-1-14/14A
Box 01, Folder 03
The Gay Latino Alliance, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-1-17
Box 01, Folder 03
Dancers, Gay Latino Alliance
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-1-20/20A
Box 01, Folder 03
Boot Rack float: a giant boot (San Jose)
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-1-24/24A
Box 01, Folder 03
The Watergarden Baths float (San Jose)
1979-06-24
General
Back of photograph includes note: Lambda rising pendant symbolic of gay
liberation.
General
Numbered: 1979-1-25/25A
Box 01, Folder 03
The Society of Janus contingent
1979-06-24
General
Banner reads: Straights - Bi's - Gays Say Consenting S/M is O.K.
General
Numbered: 1979-1-31/31A
Box 01, Folder 03
Libertarian Party float, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-1-34/34A
Box 01, Folder 03
Society of Janus sign bearer
1979-06-24
General
Sign reads: S/M Sensuality and Mutuality, Consenting S/M is O.K.
General
1979-1-36/36A
Box 01, Folder 04
Bikers on Market St. in front of the Crocker Bank
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-2-18/18A
Box 01, Folder 04
Costumed men with Blue Front Dely balloons
1979-06-24
General
Blue Front Dely was a delicatessen at Haight and Ashbury streets.
General
1979-2-20/20A
Box 01, Folder 04
Guy Corry for Mayor float
1979-06-24
General
Guy Corry was a popular San Francisco photographer.
General
Numbered: 1979-2-21A
Box 01, Folder 04
"A fresh rose for you" Market St. at California and Drumm Sts.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-2-24/24A
Box 01, Folder 04
Group from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs float on Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-2-32/32A
Box 01, Folder 04
Riding Shotgun
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-2-34/34A
Box 01, Folder 05
Mr. National Gay Rodeo
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-3-2A/3
Box 01, Folder 05
Enthusiastic marcher, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-3-3A/4
Box 01, Folder 05
Spectators on Market St., Blue Front Dely float (right)
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-3-9A/10
General
Blue Front Dely was a delicatessen at Haight and Ashbury Streets.
Box 01, Folder 05
Blue Front Dely float on Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Blue Front Dely was a delicatessen at Haight and Ashbury Streets.
General
1979-3-11A/12
Box 01, Folder 05
George Bosque for Sheriff, Ferry Bldg. (background)
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-3-17A/18
Box 01, Folder 05
Bulldog Baths float, Market St.
1979-06-24
Box 01, Folder 05
Phone booth vantage point on Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-3-28A/29
Box 01, Folder 06
Bob Ross of the Bay Area Reporter and "Ginger," Emperor and Empress of San
Francisco sporting.
1979-06-24
General
Bob Ross and Ginger wearing buttons reading "[Milton] Marks for D.A."
General
Numbered: 1979-4-4A/5
Box 01, Folder 06
San Francisco Supervisor Harry Britt, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-5A/6
Box 01, Folder 06
Harvey Milk Gay Democratic Club
1979-06-24
General
Club named for gay San Francisco supervisor assassinated by Dan White in 1978.
General
1979-4-6A/7
Box 01, Folder 06
San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Twirling Corps, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-11A/12
Box 01, Folder 06
San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Twirling Corps, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-15A/16
Box 01, Folder 06
San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Twirling Corps
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-17A/18
Box 01, Folder 06
Lesbian/Gay Cause of Butte County contingent
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-23A/24
Box 01, Folder 06
Club Bath Chain San Francisco float in Civic Center
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-27A/28
Box 01, Folder 06
"Portrait of a Young Man" (Club Bath Chain, San Francisco float)
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-28A/29
Box 01, Folder 06
Leonard Matlovich seated on Lambda American flag
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-30A/31
Box 01, Folder 06
Golden Gate Business Association, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-31A/32
Box 01, Folder 06
Golden Gate Business Association contingent, Market St. at California and
Drumm Sts., Ferry Bldg.
1979-06-24
General
Signs read: "We Are: Advertising and Public Relations, Contractors, Photographers,
House Painters, Attorneys, Etc."
General
Numbered: 1979-4-32A/33
Box 01, Folder 06
San Francisco policeman precedes men with balloons on Market St. at Beale St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-4-33A/34
Box 01, Folder 06
Spectators at Spear and Market Sts.
1979-06-24
Box 01, Folder 07
Los Angeles Gay Freedom Band performer wearing the famous Levis 501's
jeans
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-5-6A/7
Box 01, Folder 07
The National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights
contingent
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-5-18A/19
Box 01, Folder 07
Gay People's Union at Stanford contingent, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-5-19A/20
Box 01, Folder 07
Straights for Gay Rights contingent, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-5-23A/24
Box 01, Folder 07
Banner reads: "One Struggle - Many Fronts! Support the Struggle for the
Rights of Gays and all Oppressed People!"
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-5-24A/25
Box 01, Folder 07
Gays Against Nuclear Power contingent, Market St. at California and Drumm
Sts., Ferry Bldg. in background
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-5-25A/26
Box 01, Folder 07
Ministers for Human Rights, Market Sts.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-5-26A/27
Box 01, Folder 07
Ed Paulson, Mr. Gay Muscular Dystrophy, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-5-27A/28
Box 01, Folder 07
"Jeep Riders"
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-5-30A/31
Box 01, Folder 08
Community United Against Violence contingent on Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Sign reads: "Stop Attacks on Lesbian and Gay Men Carry a Whistle"
Box 01, Folder 08
Dancer with I-Beam Float, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
I-Beam was a Haight Street disco.
Box 01, Folder 08
Dancers with the I-Beam Float on Market St.
1979-06-24
General
I-Beam was a Haight Street disco.
General
Numbered: 1979-6-9/9A
Box 01, Folder 08
"DeLuxe, the Bar at Haight and Ashbury" float, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-6-30/30A
Box 01, Folder 08
"Buttons"
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-7-19/19A
Box 01, Folder 08
Clowns
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-7-34/34A
Box 01, Folder 09
Main stage in front of City Hall showing parade theme banner: "We Are
Everywhere"
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-8-1/1A (Feature print)
Box 01, Folder 09
Civic Center crowd, banner reads: "Gay American Indians"
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-8-3/3A
Box 01, Folder 09
Costumed celebrants in front of City Hall
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-8-9/9A
Box 01, Folder 09
"Gay Iwo Jima," San Francisco Civic Center
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-8-13/13A
Box 01, Folder 09
Lesbian couple in Civic Center
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-8-36A
Box 01, Folder 10
Community United Against Violence contingent
1979-06-24
General
Top banner reads: "Community United Against Violence"; bottom banner reads: "Stop
Attacks On Lesbians and Gay Men Carry A Whistle"
General
Numbered: 1979-9-2/2A
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 10
Crowd facing the main stage, Civic Center
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-9-4A
Box 01, Folder 10
Tim Phillips (right), woman applying lipstick using his sunglasses as a
mirror, Civic Center.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-9-8A/9 (Feature print)
Box 01, Folder 10
Men in "Camp Drag"
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-9-10A/11
Box 01, Folder 10
Civic Center Celebrants
1979-06-24
General
Labeled on back: "Note gay flag flying front of City Hall."
General
Numbered: 1979-9-30A/31
Box 01, Folder 10
Lesbian spectators standing together on a Civic Center bench.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-9-33A/34
Box 01, Folder 11
Dykes on Bikes, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-10-22A/23
Box 01, Folder 11
San Francisco Lesbian Mothers, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-10-23A/24
Box 01, Folder 11
"Creative Award" winning women's float, Market St.
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-10-29A (Feature print)
Box 01, Folder 11
Preparing float at Spear St. before parade
1979-06-24
General
Numbered: 1979-11-36A (Feature print)
San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade
1980-06-29
Physical Description: 2
folders
Scope and Contents
Contains contact sheets and photographic prints of the 1980 San Francisco Gay Freedom
Day Parade. Only a small portion of the images from the contact sheets were printed and
included in the collection.
Box 01, Folder 12
Contact sheets
1980-06-29
Scope and Contents
Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1980 San Francisco Gay Freedom
Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 13
Person in pig mask kissing smiling man
1980-06-29
General
Numbered: 1980-4-4
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 13
Carnival outside of San Francisco City Hall
1980-06-29
General
Numbered: 1980-5-23A
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 13
Crowd gathered outside San Francisco City Hall.
1980-06-29
General
Numbered: 1980-7-28A
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 13
People gathered on float with sign: Ain't No Stopping Us Now
1980-06-29
General
Numbered: 1980-12-35
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade
1981-06-28
Physical Description: 2
folders
Scope and Contents
Contains contact sheets and photographic prints of the 1981 San Francisco International
Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade. Only a small portion of the images from the contact
sheets were printed and included in the collection.
Box 01, Folder 14
Contact sheets
1981-06-29
Scope and Contents
Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1981 San Francisco
International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 15
Costumed parade goers ride in car with sign reading "Moral
Majority"
1981-06-28
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade
1982-06-27
Physical Description: 2
folders
Scope and Contents
Contains contact sheets and photographic prints of the 1982 San Francisco International
Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade. Only a small portion of the images from the contact
sheets were printed and included in the collection.
Box 01, Folder 16
Contact sheets
1982-06-27
Scope and Contents
Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1982 San Francisco
International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 17
Trocadero Transfer float at California and Drumm and Market Sts.
1982-06-27
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
General
The Trocadero Transfer was an after hours dance club located in the South of Market
neighborhood of San Francisco.
Box 01, Folder 17
Float with banner: "Gay Fathers are: Responsible, Caring, Nurturing, Hot,
Role Models, Tender, Involved, United"
1982-06-27
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 17
Clown in back of Volkswagen Bug convertible, sign reads: "Boom-Boom for
Soup"
1982-06-27
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 17
Parade marchers holding banner that reads: "Out of Many...One Lesbian/Gay
Freedom Day 27 June 1982 San Francisco"
1982-06-27
General
Title supplied by cataloger.
San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade
1983-06-26
Physical Description: 1
folder
Scope and Contents
Contains contact sheets prints documenting the 1983 San Francisco International Lesbian
and Gay Freedom Day Parade. No photographic prints of the 1983 parade are included in
this collection.
Box 01, Folder 18
Contact sheets
1983-06-26
Scope and Contents
Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1983 San Francisco
International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.
San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade
1984-06-24
Physical Description: 1
folder
Scope and Contents
Contains photocopies of contact sheets of images from the 1984 San Francisco
International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade. No photographic prints of the 1984
parade are included in this collection.
Box 01, Folder 19
Contact sheets
1984-06-24
Scope and Contents
Contains photocopies of the photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1984 San
Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.
San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade
1985-06-15
Physical Description: 1
folder
Scope and Contents
Contains contact sheets containing images of the 1985 San Francisco International
Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade. No photographic prints of the 1985 parade are
included in this collection.
Box 01, Folder 20
Contact sheets
1985-06-15
Scope and Contents
Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1985 San Francisco
International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.