Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Radical Faeries (New Age Movement)
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 14 cartons (14 cubic feet)
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Nomenus Radical Faerie Archives. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The archives contains the correspondence, minutes, agendas, organizational records, membership directories, and publications of the Radical Faeries, a queer social organization with a focus on spirituality. A large portion of the collection concerns the acquisition and maintenance of the Wolf Creek Radical Faerie Sanctuary in Oregon. Nomenus has held the Wolf Creek site since the mid-1980s. It is a sacred space for radical queer consciousness. The collection also includes some early LGBTQIA publications such as "Fag Rag" and "Gay Sunshine."
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Radical Faerie movement was founded in California in 1979 by gay activists Harry Hay and Don Kilhefner. They wanted to explore consciousness and create an alternative to what they saw as the assimilationist attitude of the mainstream U.S. gay community. They held the first Spiritual Conference for Radical Fairies in Arizona in September 1979. In the early 1980s, a group of Radical Faeries on the West Coast sought a location to hold gatherings, etc. Nomenus was formed in the mid-1980s as a non-profit religious organization, and acquired the Wolf Creek property in southern Oregon.
- Acquisition information:
- The bulk of the collection was donated by Joseph Cain, January 26, 2003. An additional 2 cartons of LGBTQIA publications and ephemera were donated by Jerry Berbiar, August 2006.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit. The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours.
- Terms of access:
-
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. Copyright for individually authored pieces is retained by the authors.
- Preferred citation:
-
Nomenus Radical Faerie Archives. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567