Black Lesbian Newsletter /
Onyx Collection, 1979-1989
GLC 102
Finding aid prepared by Tim Wilson
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
2015
Title:
Black Lesbian Newsletter /
Onyx Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1979-1989, undated
Date (bulk): 1982-1984
Collection Identifier: GLC 102
Physical Description:
22.0 folders
(0.25 linear feet)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
Abstract:
Black Lesbian Newsletter, later titled
Onyx, was published in San Francisco and, later, Berkeley from 1982-1984. The newsletter includes poems, drawings, political perspectives,
photographs, book reviews, event listings, personals, and some business listings. There is one letter to the newsletter and
two mounted newsletter covers. The collection also includes related materials on the Bay Area Black Lesbian Political Caucus
and BAST Cafe (Bay Area African-American Sisters Together).
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.
Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item],
Black Lesbian Newsletter /
Onyx Collection (GLC 102), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
Provenance unknown.
Historical note
Black Lesbian Newsletter was published in San Francisco and, later, Berkeley from 1982-1984. Its working title changed to
Onyx as the result of suggestions from its readership. The newsletter was the brainchild of Laverne Gagehabib, A. C. Barber and
Vivienne Walker-Crawford.
Scope and Contents
The collection includes a nearly complete set of issues of
Black Lesbian Newsletter and
Onyx. There is one letter to the newsletter and two mounted newsletter covers. The collection also includes a few folders with
related materials on the Bay Area Black Lesbian Political Caucus and BAST Cafe (Bay Area African-American Sisters Together).
Arrangement
Arranged into two series: Series 1.
Black Lesbian Newsletter and
Onyx; and, Series 2. Subject Files.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African American Lesbians--California--Periodicals
African American lesbians--Periodicals.
African American lesbians--United States.
Racism.
Series 1
Black Lesbian Newsletter and
Onyx,
1982-1984
Scope and Contents
The first issue of
Black Lesbian Newsletter begins with a "Dear Readers" column which describes the purpose of the publication. The newsletter includes poems, drawings,
political perspectives, photographs, book reviews, event listings, personals, and some business listings. There is one letter
to the newsletter and two mounted newsletter covers.
Arrangement
Arranged into 4 subseries: Subseries 1A.
Black Lesbian Newsletter issues; Subseries 1B.
Onyx issues; Subseries 1C. Correspondence; Subseries 1D. Mounted Front Covers.
Subseries 1A
Black Lesbian Newsletter issues,
1982
Physical Description:
4.0 folders
Folder 1
[volume 1, number 1] "first issue,"
June 1982
General note
2 copies. Includes: drawings by Storme Webber; a photograph by Joan Franklin; "Dear Readers" an introduction to BLN by Laverne
Gagehabib, A. C. Barber, Vivienne Walker-Crawford; "Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual?" by Vivienne Walker-Crawford; and a review by
Mary Hope Whitehead Lee of
Black Lesbians: an Annotated Bibliography by J. R. Roberts (1981).
Folder 2
volume 1, number 4,
October 1982
General note
Includes: drawings by Sarita Johnson; photographs by Joan Franklin; poems "Pass The Word," "Songs of the Hummingbird," "Changes,"
and "Wonder...ment" by Nedra Williams; "We Sound Like This" by Vivienne Walker-Crawford.
Folder 3
volume 1, number 5,
November 1982
General note
2 copies. Includes: a drawing by Sarita Johnson; a drawing by Alicia Stiles; "Coming Out in '61" by Joyce Penalver; "Black
Lesbian Theatre" by Paula Ross; and "Observation" by Ka'ni. One issue has notes in margins.
Folder 4
volume 1, number 6,
December 1982
General note
3 copies. Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; "Encounter at Ollie's" by Marlene Bonner; "Our Demands" and "Update" related
to Ollie's; "Farewell" from BLN to Vivienne Walker-Crawford; "Letter to My Sisters" by Anonymous.
Subseries 1B
Onyx: Black Lesbian Newsletter issues,
1983-1984
Physical Description:
10.0 folders
Folder 5
volume 2, number [1],
February [19]83
General note
Numbered "7" should be "1." Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; editorial "Onyx"; drawing by Praylo; poems "Act More
Like a Human Being" and "Untitled" by A. S.; poem "Sister, My Heart Cries" by Windy Sky; a book review by Paula Ross of
Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo by Ntozake Shange (1982); a photograph by Helen Keller; announcement including "Conference: The Future of Women in the Trades";
Black History Month; "Lorraine Hansberry" by Paula Ross; Follow up--Oroville: March Against Attacks Against Ourselves and
Our Children; Ollie's Update; and "Just Wanna Be Seen as Sane" by Camille Barber.
Folder 6
volume 2, number 2,
April/May [19]83
General note
Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; "Dear Readers" letter regarding the Ollie's encounter and a letter written by Bea
Morris that was published in
Plexus and
Coming Up; "New Notes on Lesbianism" by Cheryl Clarke; "Occupation: Ornament (or) How to Be Used at Your Own Expense" by Sarita Johnson;
"Cassie Lopez: Runs for North Oakland Council Seat" with photograph; Letter to the Editor from Storme Webber regarding a d.
j. at Amelia's, with Camille Barber's reply on behalf of Onyx; and announcements including "Black Women's Health Conference."
Folder 7
volume 2, number 4,
August/September [1983]
General note
2 copies. Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; a review by Paula Ross of
The Color Purple (1983); "Miss Burma" by Raymina Y. Mays; and, Local news: Third World Lesbian and Gay Conference, Pat Norman Candidate for
Supervisor in '84, Casselberry-Dupree Plan Tour, Linda Tillery, Sisters Bonding Together, National Lesbians of Color Conference,
Ollie's Update, Bay Area Black Lesbians and Gays (BAYBLAG).
Folder 8
volume 2, number 5,
October/November [19]83
General note
Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; "A Report About the Lesbians of Color Conference"; "Writing As A Lesbian: The March
on Washington, August 29, 1963 and August 27, 1983" by Cheryl Clarke; "They Sing Life Into Their Music" about J. Casselberry
and Jaque DuPree; "Casselberry-DuPree" photograph by Orlanda; "Coming Soon...Black Lesbian Herstories"; a review by Sarita
Johnson of
The Color Purple.
Folder 9
volume 2, number 6,
December [1983]/January [19]84
General note
Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; "Dear Readers: You Took a Chance on Us: A Look Back--A Look Ahead"; "National Third
World People Of Color Conference Postponed"; "Kwanzaa" by Sarita Johnson; "The Abolitionist, 9979 (for my sisters)" by Doris
Davenport; Letters to the Editor...from Virginia Harris, San Francisco, about the Lesbians of Color Conference, and from Gale
Golden, San Francisco, about the newsletter; and announcements including "Strength in Diversity: A Black Feminist Conference."
Folder 10
volume 3, number 1,
February/March [19]84
General note
Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; "Journal Entry: Reminders" by Lucille Hunt; "
You speak of my manner or better yet / you speak of my response to
them as that of a REVOLUTIONARY /
TELL ME..." poem by Suasuarana; "Lesbianism Is A Reality" by Tania Abdulahad; announcements; and "February--Black History Month."
Folder 11
volume 3, number 2,
April/May [19]84
General note
Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; "
Home Girls in Review" by Synthia E. Green [book review of
Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology edited by Barbara Smith]; "Audre Lorde speaks on Grenada" by Cara Vaughn; "A Tribute to You," a poem by Suasuarana; "Personal
Statement: Number 2" by Dezeria Collins, a. k. a. "Dimples;" and "The Black Women's Anti-Violence Project."
Folder 12
volume 3, number 3,
June/July [19]84
General note
2nd anniversary issue. Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; Letters from Jeannette, Hawaii, from Barbara Smith, New York
regarding "
Home Girls, and from Joann Washington, Oakland; Letter to Audre Lorde from Yasmin A. Sayyed; "Passages" by Mayrann Turner; and "Coming
Out In '61" by Joyce Penalver.
Folder 13
volume 3, number 4,
August/September [19]84
General note
Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; Report on 3rd National Third World/People of Color/Lesbian/Gay Conference; Human
Rights Commission Report; "Passages" by Mayrann Turner; "Trouble with the Term of with the Lying" by Yasmin A. Sayyed; and
"Lesbian Moan," a poem by Terri L. Jewell.
Folder 14
volume 3, number 5,
October/November [19]84
General note
Includes: cover design by Sarita Johnson; "Passages" by Mayrann Turner; "Open Letter To The Black Lesbian Community" by Helen
L. Keller; "Spoken From the Heart" by Vivienne regarding S. E. P. S. (Separatist, Enraged, Proud and Strong); "Que Viva La
Musica" about poet/musician/vocalist Avotcja; and "Today," a poem by Avotcja.
Folder 15
Subseries 1C
Correspondence,
1983
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Subseries 1D
Mounted front covers
Physical Description:
2.0 folders
Folder 16
Black Lesbian Newsletter, volume 1, number 4,
October 1982
Folder 17
Onyx: Black Lesbian Newsletter, volume 2, number 3,
June/July 1983
Series 2
Subject Files,
1979-1989, undated
Scope and Contents
The subject files contain materials on the Bay Area Black Lesbian Political Caucus. The group was formed by Vivienne Crawford,
Joyce Penalver, and Brenda Crawford, and the Caucus materials include a grant proposal sent to the Vanguard Public Foundation
in 1989 and the minutes of the first meeting. In addition there are some notes related to BAST Cafe (Bay Area African-American
Sisters Together), flyers for different events, and some notecards and postcards.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Folder 18
BAST Cafe [Bay Area African-American Sisters Together],
1989
Bay Area Black Lesbian Political Caucus,
1989
Scope and Contents
The collection also includes two mounted newsletter covers, as well as related materials on the Bay Area Black Lesbian Political
Caucus. The group was formed by Vivienne Crawford, Joyce Penalver, and Brenda Crawford. The Bay Area Black Lesbian Political
Caucus materials include a grant proposal sent to the Vanguard Public Foundation in 1989 and the minutes of the first meeting.
Folder 19
Grant proposal, Vanguard Public Foundation,
June 1989
Folder 20
Minutes of first meeting (Oakland, California),
June 20, 1989
Folder 21
Flyers,
1980-1989, undated
General note
Includes: "Becoming Visible: The First Black Lesbian Conference, San Francisco Women's Building, October 17-19, 1980"; "Partnering:
A One-Day Seminar to Develop Fulfilling Personal Relationships through Interdependence. Presented by Prime Performance and
The Berkeley Community YWCA, April 8, 1989"; "Kallmar, Storyteller, Alameda," undated; "In Celebration of Black History Month
A Woman's Place Bookstore Presents: Vivienne Louise and Winn Gilmore...Sunday, February 26th, Oakland" [probably 1984 or 1989].
Folder 22
Notecards and postcards featuring lesbians and lesbian themes,
1979-1983, undated
General note
Includes: 4 cards by Willow Moon Designs, 3 are from the "Womyn in Patterns" series; "Lovers in Kapok Tree, Virgin Islands"
by Nadine Rosenthal (1980); "Feminist Against Anti-Semitism, Fight Racism" by Jewels Joyce Marcus (1983); Gertrude Stein,
1946, copyright Horst P. Horst (1979); Pagan & Kady, photograph by JEB, 1979; "Family Affair, congregating after the parade,
Sunday, June 25" photo by Denise Macias; silkscreened notecard; postcard "Designs by Judith;" postcard "Pepin Pictures;" "Rue
Abriot, Paris, 1975. Photograph by Helmut Newton" (1982); "Cees van Gelderen (1980) Maja;" postcard "Anna May Wong...photograph
by Carl Van Vechten;" "Amazon Reality (1983) Arleen Olshan;" "In My Studio, Paris, 1978. Photography by Helmut Newton" (1982);
and, "David Hurn. Les Amies (1970). Friends, Editions Agathe Gaillard."
