Palm Center records, 1993-2012

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Scope and content:: This collection focuses on the Palm Center's role in repealing the Clinton-era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy on LGBTQ servicepeople, allowing them to come out and serve openly; some material specifically concerns the military service of transgender people. The collection consists largely of publications and reports, as well as subject files, clippings, and audiovisual material. Some of the audiovisual material captures lectures and testimony that represent the internal military conversation about DADT. Much of this material -- both audiovisual on paper -- is rare, and represents the Palm Center's substantial efforts to gain access to military spaces and internal military research. Some figures whose work is covered in the collection include Ann Loveland, Elaine Donnelly, and Mark Eidelberg.
Biographical / historical:: The Palm Center is a think tank which promotes the study of LGBTQ people in the armed forces. Founded in 1998 as the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military, it was renamed in 2006 to honor donor Michael Palm. The research of scholars from the Palm Center has been extensively published, both in the scholarly and popular press, and the organization played a role in the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
Acquisition information:: The collection was donated to the GLBT Historical Society by Aaron Belkin in June 2021. Additions in 2022.

Subjects:: LGBTQ
Transgender people
Law
Veterans
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)

Access and use

Restrictions:: Collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: Copyright to material has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society. All requests for reproductions and/or permission to publish or quote from material must be submitted in writing to the GLBT Historical Society Archivist.

Location of this collection:: GLBT Historical Society

989 Market Street, Lower Level

San Francisco, CA 94103, US