Silvia Kohan papers
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
2024
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
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Title: Silvia Kohan papers
Dates: 1948-2007
Collection Number: 2008-46
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 2 linear feet (1 carton, 2 boxes)
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: The Silvia Kohan papers document the life and musical career of this Argentinian-
Jewish
lesbian singer and songwriter and contains journals; scrapbooks; correspondence and e-mails; photographs that date back to
her childhood; music and lyrics; publicity materials; DVDs and audio recordings of her music, materials from her memorial;
and costumes.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Copyright has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society.
[Identification of item]. Silvia Kohan papers. Collection Number: 2008-46. GLBT Historical Society
Gift of Feliza Kohan on July 4, 2007.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Silvia Kohan papers document the life and musical career of this Argentinian-
Jewish
lesbian singer and songwriter. Kohan (1948-2003) was known for her big voice, flamboyant costumes and showy stage presence.
Her family emigrated from Argentina in 1957 when she was ten years old, and she learned English by singing show tunes. Starting
in 1965, she toured Europe, Asia and the U.S. with “Up With People.” Kohan was also a lead performer in the Venice Free Theatre
in Los Angeles. Her only commercial album, “Finally Real,” was produced by George Winston and released in 1984. Her best known
original song was called "Fat Girl Blues." The collection contains journals; scrapbooks; correspondence and e-mails; photographs
that date back to her childhood; music and lyrics; publicity materials; DVDs and audio recordings of her music, performances,
and life; materials from her memorial; and costumes. The photographs are unsorted, but Kohan’s sister, Feliza, has identified
many of them.
GSSO Linked Terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000381; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_007701; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_004300;
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_007641; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_001825
Lesbians
Music
Latinx people
Latinas