Ruth Mahaney papers
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
2023
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
http://www.glbthistory.org/
Title: Ruth Mahaney papers
Dates: circa 1970 - 2019
Collection Number: 2002-35
Creator/Collector:
Mahaney, Ruth
Extent: 4.5 linear feet (2 document boxes, 1 half-size document box, 3 cartons)
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: Ruth Mahaney is a radical, lesbian leftist heavily involved in the movement for gay rights as well as antiwar and various
other leftist causes. This collection primarily consists of various pamphlets, photographs, performance fliers, newspapers,
letters, and material about popular leftist figures, informal queer community events, left-leaning politicians, and organizations
Mahaney was involved in.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
Copyright to material created by Ruth Mahaney 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.
[Identification of item]. Ruth Mahaney papers. Collection Number: 2002-35. GLBT Historical Society
Gift of Ruth Mahaney, 2002, 2019, 2020, 2023.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection primarily consists of various pamphlets, photographs, performance fliers, newspapers, letters, and material
about popular leftist figures, informal queer community events, left-leaning politicians, and organizations Mahaney was involved
in. Extensive meeting strategy, and debrief notes for the Lesbian Committee of the GLHS Society are featured in the collection.
Although there are personal letters included, they do not reveal much of Mahaney’s personal life - primarily they reveal her
devotion to activism. The collection reflects Mahaney’s involvement in the leftist circle of the GLBT community throughout
the 80s and 2000s; in particular, the range of her involvement in grassroots, as well as large-scale political organizations.
Her personal life outside of these organizations is not highlighted in this collection. This collection also includes materials
originally belonging to Sally Gearhart and Lynne Brown.
GSSO Linked Terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000381; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_002229; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/NCIT_C16529
Lesbians
Feminism
Education
Activism