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Nomenus Radical Faerie Archives
GLC 143
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Table of contents
Title: Nomenus Radical Faerie Archives
Dates: 1971-1996 (bulk 1980-1996)
Collection Number: GLC 143
Creator/Collector:
Radical Faeries (New Age Movement)
Extent: 14 cartons (14 cubic feet)
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: 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."
Language of Material: English
The collection is open for research.
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.
[Identification of item]. Nomenus Radical Faerie Archives. Collection Number: GLC 143. San Francisco Public Library. James
C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
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.
Biography/Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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."
Gay men--United States--Social life and customs.
Gay community.
Gay men--Sexuality.
Gay men--Spiritual life.
Radical Faeries (New Age Movement)