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Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center Records
MSS-2004-06-07
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2004-06-07
Physical Description:
14 boxes
(5.838 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1906-2008
Abstract: The Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center Records consist of news clippings, newsletters, and magazines. 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.
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-2004-06-07, 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. Collection
number changed from MSS-2010-10-25 to MSS-2004-06-07 in July 2018 by Leilani Marshall. Accrual of National Organization for
Women Records processed by Michael Lara, finding aid EAD encoded by Michael Lara, and reviewed by Kate Steffens in February
2020. Folder level description added to Series I-III by Kate Steffens in March 2022.
The Billy DeFrank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Silicon Valley Center (also known as the Billy DeFrank Gay
and Lesbian Community Center) opened its doors 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 transgender people 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 as 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 transgender 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 Family and Children Services, the DeFrank Center provides a safe and confidential space for youths to
gather and receive 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
those for addiction recovery and LGBT elders, as well as 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
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.
Bulk Dates 1970-1999
This collection is arranged into four series: Series I, Organizational Records,1979-2008; Series II, Research, Educational
Outreach, and Publicity 1943-2000; and Series III, Publications, 1962-1999. Series IV is a accrual of National Organization
for Women materials and publications.
Ted Sahl Collection, MSS-2001-01-01
Mark Porsche Papers, MSS-2003-04
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Periodicals Collection 1968-2003, MSS-2005-05
Subjects and Indexing Terms
GLBT studies -- California
LGBT studies
GLBT studies
Queer studies
LGBT studies -- California
Gay rights -- California -- San Jose
Civil rights -- California -- San Jose
Gay rights
Gay and lesbian rights
Gay liberation movement
Gays -- California -- History
Gays -- Civil rights
Gay and lesbian studies
Billy DeFrank LGBT Silicon Valley Community Center
Bay Area Nonprofit Organization
AIDS activists -- California -- San Jose
Community Action