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Peter J. Tenney papers
1997-22  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Indexing Terms

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Peter J. Tenney papers
    Dates: circa 1979-1995
    Collection Number: 1997-22
    Creator/Collector:
    Extent: .2 linear feet
    Repository: GLBT Historical Society
    San Francisco, California 94103
    Abstract: The Peter J. Tenny papers contain writings by this labor activist and poet. Tenney (1956-1996) formed a dissident gay caucus of Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union Local 2 in San Francisco in 1978 and co-founded the Lesbian and Gay Labor Network in New York in 1987.
    Language of Material: English

    Access

    Collection is open for research.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item]. Peter J. Tenney papers. Collection Number: 1997-22. GLBT Historical Society

    Acquisition Information

    Gift of David Steinberg on June 28, 1997.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    The Peter J. Tenny papers contain writings by this labor activist and poet. Tenney (1956-1996) formed a dissident gay caucus of Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union Local 2 in San Francisco in 1978 and co-founded the Lesbian and Gay Labor Network in New York in 1987. After several psychiatric incarcerations he organized other survivors in a poetry performance, “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” and later formed “Literally Committed,” open poetry readings for current and former psychiatric patients. Tenny died after a 10-year battle with AIDS. The collection includes a copy and an audiotape of his poetry chapbook, “Slow for a Mania, Fast for a Waltz” (1995); recordings of, and a photograph of “Breaking Up” (1982); his “Mad Letters Series”; prose, poetry and journal entries; photographs from the Lesbian and Gay Labor Network, and a copy of “Dishrag,” a labor journal for lesbian and gay hotel, bar and restaurant employees. GSSO Linked Terms: http://purl.bioontology.org/ontology/MESH/D008091; http://purl.bioontology.org/ontology/MESH/D008603; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_003411

    Indexing Terms

    Literature
    Mental health
    Labor