Peter J. Tenney papers
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
2024
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
http://www.glbthistory.org/
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. Tenney 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. He was involved with local theatre and the Mad Pride movement.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item]. Peter J. Tenney papers. Collection Number: 1997-22. GLBT Historical Society
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
Literature
Mental health
Labor