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Guide to the Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center Records
MSS-2010-10-25
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Title: Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center Records
Dates: 1970-1999
Collection number: MSS-2010-10-25
Creator:
Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center
Collection Size:
17 box,
7.71 linear feet(approx)
Repository:
San José State University. Library.
San José, California 95192-0028
Abstract: On March 1, 1981 the Billy DeFrank Center opened its doors. Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center was organized
in response to the housing discrimination that gays and lesbians faced in Santa Clara County. The Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon
Valley Community Center Records document the grassroots efforts of its founders to build a community center that supports
the vast and diverse needs of the South Bay community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The central
mission of the Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center is to work toward promoting a "positive social identification"
by promoting civil rights to advance liberty and justice through collaboration and unity.
The Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center Records (1970-1999) consist of news clippings, newsletters, and magazines.
Included are a variety of related publications with an emphasis on program initiatives and health training resources, including
ephemera and pamphlets. There is a sizeable photographic collection that contains pictures of social events hosted by the
Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center, including Gay Pride San José and other social outings. This collection
is arranged into three series: Series I, Organizational Records, 1978-97; Series II, Educational Outreach and Publicity 1971-1999;
and Series III, Publications, 1970-1999.
Physical location: Vault 1, Range 29A
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
The collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections &
Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to
the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections
& Archives 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 by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital
reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center Records, MSS-2010-10-25, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
Collection processed by Jeannette Eaton, finding aid EAD encoded by Jeannette Eaton, and reviewed by Danelle Moon.
The Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Center opened on March 1, 1981 in downtown San José, California. The center was posthumously
named after Billy DeFrank, the stage name of William Price (1936-1980). From San José, William Price was a well known African-American
drag entertainer as well as a prominent gay rights activist who dedicated his talents to the development of gay communities
throughout California. He was considered one of the "best-loved goodwill ambassadors" for the LGBT community. At the time
LGBT activists were generally influenced by the political legacy of Stonewall. The Stonewall riots, the escalation of a series
of violent confrontations between gay rights activists and police that began on June 28, 1969 outside the Stonewall Inn (a
bar in New York City), became the genesis of an international gay rights movement focused on social justice and human rights
for the LGBT community. The founders of the DeFrank Center concerned with practical challenges and most concerned about the
lack of housing and employment protections for lesbians and gay men living in Santa Clara County envisioned transforming the
legacy of the Stonewall riots by creating "a place to call home". The grassroots efforts to establish this LGBT center were
driven by forces from within the Lambda Association Board of Directors of San José, San Jose Staté University's Women's Center,
and other local activists. The center became the fulcrum whereby the large and diverse community of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgendered in the South Bay could find refuge. The inception of the center's success was marked by an increase in
activist support from local political figures such Mayor Janet Gray Hayes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The center continues
to offer a safe haven for a large and diverse community.
The mission of the Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center is "to strive to be the community's premier resource
hub and a recognized leader in promoting health, strength, diversity and inclusiveness". The DeFrank Center affords its members
opportunities to develop "positive social identification" and is committed to political advocacy on behalf of the community
and to continue the struggle for civil rights. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people of all ages benefit from
the resources and support services offered by the center staff of activists and volunteers. The Center facilitates vital sexual
education programs through workshops and other social engagements for a broad-based community.
In collaboration with the Family and Children Service, the DeFrank Center provides a safe and confidential space for youths
to gather and recieve counseling, as well as educational and professional medical resources. In addition, another youth centered
program, the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, helps to empower youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools.
The adult programs similarly provide a confidential space for HIV testing, and support groups for men and women including
transsexuals, drug abusers, and groups focused on the family. The DeFrank Center provides community referrals to local agencies
that address Aids/HIV, child and teen services, crisis centers, domestic violence, shelters and other similar services.
Scope and Content of Collection
On March 1, 1981 the Billy DeFrank Center opened its doors. Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center was organized
in response to the housing discrimination that gays and lesbians faced in Santa Clara County. The Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon
Valley Community Center Records document the grassroots efforts of its founders to build a community center that supports
the vast and diverse needs of the South Bay community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The central
mission of the Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center is to work toward promoting a "positive social identification"
by promoting civil rights to advance liberty and justice through collaboration and unity.
The Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center Records (1970-1999) consist of news clippings, newsletters, and magazines.
Included are a variety of related publications with an emphasis on program initiatives and health training resources, including
ephemera and pamphlets. There is a sizeable photographic collection that contains pictures of social events hosted by the
DeFrank Center, including Gay Pride San José and other social outings.
This collection is arranged into three series: Series I, Organizational Records,1978-97; Series II, Educational Outreach and
Publicity 1971-1999; and Series III, Publications, 1970-1999.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Gay rights--United States
Civil Rights--Gay Rights
Gay Rights
Gay and lesbian rights
Gay liberation movement
Gays--California--History
Gays--Civil rights
Gay and lesbian studies
Queer studies
GLBT studies
LGBT studies
GLBT studies--California
LGBT studies--California
Community Action
AIDS activists
Bay Area Nonprofit Organization
Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center
Billy DeFrank Silicon Valley Silicon Valley LGBT Community Center http://www.defrankcenter.org/
Fetner, Anita. "Working Anita Bryant: The Impact of Christian Anti-Gay Activism on Lesbian and Gay Movement Claims."
Social Problems, Vol. 48, No. 3 (Aug., 2001): 411-428
Mattachine Society Project Collection, Coll2008-016, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
http://cowboyfrank.net/archive/ComingOut/02.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1386501/Stonewall-riots
Sahl, Ted.
From Closet to Community: A Quest For Gay & Lesbian Liberation In San José &Santa Clara County. Campbell: Ted Sahl Gallery, 2002.
Ted Sahl Collection, MSS-2001-01-01, San José State University Special Collections and Archives.
Guide to the Mark Porsche Papers, MSS-2003-04, San José State University Special Collections and Archives.
Guide to the Institute for Health Policy Studies - AIDS Resource Program Records, AR 92-20, UC San Francisco: Special Collections.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Periodicals Collection 1968-2003, MSS-2005-05 San José State University, Special Collections
and Archives.
Guide to the Janet Gray Hayes Papers, MSS-2002-01 San José State University, Special Collections and Archives.