Terranova (Jerry) Papers, 1977-1998

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Summary

Title:
Jerry Terranova papers
Dates:
1977-1998
Creators:
Abstract:
Extent:
1 manuscript box
Language:
Preferred citation:

Jerry Terranova papers. GLBT Historical Society

Background

Scope and content:

The Jerry Terranova papers contain materials related to this gay counterculture figure, actor and writer. A native of New Jersey, Terranova (1949-1998) moved to San Francisco in 1972. He was involved with many theater groups, including the Julian Theater, and was the male lead in Curt McDowell’s film, “Sparkle’s Tavern.” Terranova moved to Los Angeles in 1978, where he acted in plays and made his living as the editor of several alternative AIDS and health newsletters. He also co-founded the alternative AIDS group CureNow. Terranova moved back to San Francisco in 1994 and died of AIDS-related lymphoma four years later. The collection includes personalia; issues of the newsletters he edited and wrote for, “Passages,” “Praxis,” and “Pacific Currents: A Quarterly Publication of Pacific Clinics”; photos, newsclippings, film calendars and a VHS copy of “Sparkle’s Tavern”; and published and unpublished writings. There are copies of “From a Burning House,” a book of essays published by the AIDS Project Los Angeles Writers Workshop, which features Terranova’s “Hospice Chronicles”; two unpublished manuscripts, “The Art of Life by Number: Healing Yourself through the Power of Number Symbols,” and “AIDS Divas: How these Four women Are Transforming Our Perception of the Crisis and Helping to Bring about a Healing” (1991); and a screenplay, “The Caren Karpenter Story: Born to Be Medicore.” GSSO Linked Terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374; http://purl.bioontology.org/ontology/MESH/D008091; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000521; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_004301

Acquisition information:
Gift of Thomas J. Mayer on May 2, 1998.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff.
Date Prepared:
1977-1998
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.

Preferred citation:

Jerry Terranova papers. GLBT Historical Society

Location of this collection:
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, CA 94103, US
Contact:
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
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