Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Guide to COLAGE (Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere)
2001-04  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Biography / Administrative History
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Arrangement
  • Related Material

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: COLAGE (Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere)
    Dates: 1982 -- 2000
    Bulk Dates: 1990 -- 1996
    Collection number: 2001-04
    Creator: COLAGE
    Collection Size: 1.67 linear feet 1 Carton + 1 Manuscript box
    Repository: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society
    San Francisco, California 94105
    Abstract: This collection contains records of the ancestry, emergence, and activities of the organization, COLAGE from 1982 to 2000. The bulk of the collection is from 1990 to 1996. The content of the collection focuses on the organization's newsletters, annual conferences, and advocacy work on issues related to custody and adoption rights of gay and lesbian parents. The collection includes newsletters, conference and other events papers, membership surveys, member manuscripts, issues papers including court case transcripts, and operational papers documenting the evolution of the organization.
    Physical location: Stored at the Archives of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society in San Francisco, California
    Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

    Access

    Collection open for research.

    Publication Rights

    Copyright to unpublished manuscript materials has been transferred to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], COLAGE (Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere), 2001-04, The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.

    Acquisition Information

    Donated to the GLBTHS by Felicia Park-Rogers, Director of COLAGE, on January 16, 2001.

    Biography / Administrative History

    COLAGE (Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere) emerged in 1990, from within a larger organization of gay and lesbian parents (GLPCI). GLPCI was originally (1982) called Gay Fathers Coalition, but the group changed its name to Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition International (GLPCI) in 1987. Among other activities, GLPCI held annual conferences around the country that provided a forum for gay and lesbian parents (and their children) to meet and discuss issues and challenges of being a gay or lesbian parent as well as being the child of a gay and/or lesbian parent. At the 1989 annual conference, several of the children made the parents aware that they had issues that were not being addressed. They made the request to organize and set the agenda for the youth activities at annual conferences. The parents agreed and the group, Just For Us (JFU), led by Hope Berry and Emily Gmerek, was formed. Just For Us created a self-titled newsletter that was made up of the writings and artwork of its members. By 1993, Just For Us was conducting mid-year steering committee meetings, developing a mission statement, connecting children with resources and support services, as well as organizing the annual youth conference (held at the same time and place as the GLPCI annual conferences). It was at this time that Just For Us also decided to change its name to COLAGE. The organization established a national headquarters in San Francisco in 1995. Stefan Lynch, formerly the newsletter editor, stepped into the role of director as a volunteer. In 1997, Felicia Park-Rogers was the first hired director. It is beyond the scope of this collection, but COLAGE organized as a distinct 501(c)3 in 1999. As of 2008, COLAGE includes members of all ages, and continues to work to support children of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender parents.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    This collection contains records of the ancestry, emergence, and activities of the organization, COLAGE from 1982 to 2000. The bulk of the collection is from 1990 to 1996. The content of the collection focuses on the organization's newsletters, annual conferences, and advocacy work on issues related to custody and adoption rights of gay and lesbian parents. Newsletters Just For Us was the name of the main newsletter for the organization, but others such as COLAGE Notes, and Second Generation were created by organization members and are included. There does not appear to a complete run of any title. Some issues do not include dates so their location in the chronology has been approximated. The newsletters contain stories of personal experience, poetry and prose, as well as resource information and event information. Events Besides the annual conferences, the organization held several events including fundraisers, a family brunch, and a play (written and performed by group members). Operations Minutes from steering committee meetings are evidence of how the organization was developed, its priorities, and planning strategies. There are a number of membership surveys that collected information about COLAGE members and their experiences. Issues There are five folders of material related to issues COLAGE took action on. They include responses to CA Gov. Pete Wilson's moves to ban adoption by gays and lesbians as well as specific court cases dealing with adoption and custody by gay and lesbian parents. Publicity There are a number of periodicals and publications that include COLAGE or address issues concerning their community.

    Arrangement

    This collection is organized in 3 series:
    • Series 1. COLAGE
    • 1.1 Operations
    • 1.2 Events
    • 1.3 Programs
    • 1.4 Issues
    • 1.5 Membership MSS
    • 1.6 Finance
    • 1.7 Newsletters and Mailings
    • 1.8 Publicity and Related Organizations
    • Series 2. JFU
    • 2.1 Operations
    • 2.2 Events
    • 2.3 Newsletters and Mailings
    • Series 3. GLPCI
    • 3.1 Operations
    • 3.2 Programs
    • 3.3 Finance
    • 3.4 Newsletters and Mailings

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Youth
    • Newsletters:
    • Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere - Just for Us
    • Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere - Kids Club Fun Pages
    • Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere - COLAGE Notes