Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Geoff Mains papers
- Dates:
- 1954-2000
- Creators:
- Geoff Mains
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 7 cartons, 1 box, 2 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder (9.15 linear feet)
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Geoff Mains papers . GLBT Historical Society
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Geoff Mains papers document the personal and professional life of the late leather activist and author of the groundbreaking book, “Urban Aboriginals: A Celebration of Leather Sexuality.” Mains had a doctorate in biochemistry and was a member of the faculty of the Forestry Department at the University of British Columbia. He died of AIDS in 1989. The collection includes personal and professional correspondence; materials related to “Urban Aboriginals” and “Gentle Warriors,” his novel about San Francisco in crisis; other writings, including articles, poetry and a serialized novel about gay life in Vancouver, “Roofwater Chronicles”; journals; subject files; artwork; audiotaped interviews related to gay culture, the court system and the leather community; t-shirts; pins; and personalia. Original order was maintained when possible, and whenever possible, folder labels were copied as supplied by Mains. When a folder label, or portion of a label, was supplied by the processor, that label or portion was bracketed [thus] on the folder. The collection is divided into 9 Series, as dictated by Mains filing system: Writings (typescripts and manuscripts of published and unpublished writings); Journals; Research Files/Notes for Writing Projects; Correspondence (personal and professional); Subject Files; Personalia; Artifacts and Clothing; Interviews; and Artwork. Cartons 1-3 contain Writings; Carton 4 contains Writings, Journals and Research Files; Carton 5 contains Research Files solely related to Urban Aboriginals; Carton 6 contains Research Files; Personal Correspondence and Correspondence Related to Publishing; Carton 7 contains Subject Files and Personalia; Box 1 and OS Box 1 contain Artifacts and Clothing; Box 2 contains Interviews; the OS Folder and OS Banner Box contain Artwork. GSSO Linked Terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000268; http://purl.bioontology.org/ontology/MESH/D008091
- Biographical / historical:
-
Geoff Mains was born May 29, 1947. He had a doctorate in biochemistry and spent much of his professional career in Vancouver, B.C., where he was a member of the faculty of the Forestry Department at the University of British Columbia. In 1984, he was employed by Environmental Science Associates in San Francisco, enabling him to move to the city, “which he considered his true home” (San Francisco Bay Guardian obitituary). Mains will be best remembered in the gay community for his groundbreaking book, “Urban Aboriginals: A Celebration of Leather Sexuality” (1984). He also wrote a powerful novel about San Francisco in crisis, “Gentle Warriors.” Mains died of complications arising from AIDS on June 21, 1989. He was 42 years old.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of Mark Thompson on November 17, 1997.
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 1954-2000
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research with the following restrictions: some of the interviews in Box 2 are currently restricted. Please contact the Managing Archivist for more information. Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society.
- Preferred citation:
-
Geoff Mains papers . GLBT Historical Society
- Location of this collection:
-
989 Market Street, Lower LevelSan Francisco, CA 94103, US
- Contact:
- (415) 777-5455