Matthews (Tede) Oral History Project Records, 1978-1994

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Summary

Title:
Tede Matthews Oral History Project records
Dates:
1978-1994
Creators:
Matthews, Tede
Abstract:
Extent:
1 box, 2 oversize boxes (1.8 linear feet)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Tede Matthews Oral History Project records. GLBT Historical Society

Background

Scope and content:

The Tede Matthews Oral History Project was conceived of as a memorial to the poet and activist. The collection includes audiotapes of memorials for Matthews, poetry readings and oral histories. There are also flyers for poetry readings, events and workshops; materials related to Mainstream Exiles; a chapbook by Matthews (Some of My Best Friends) and anthologies of poetry that include his work; obituaries; and programs from his memorials. Matthews was known for bridging cultural divides. Speakers at one of his memorials, Sistahs for a Brother, included Adrienne Rich, Sara Levi Calderon, Cherrie Moraga, Dorothy Allison and June Jordan. Interviewees in the collection include Kim Anno, Chuck Barragan, Wendy Cadden, Vicki Dello Joio, Randy Johnson, Ruth Mahaney, Canyon Sam, Nina Jo Smith, and Leslie Simon. GSSO Linked Terms: http://purl.bioontology.org/ontology/MESH/D008091; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000381

Biographical / historical:

Tede Matthews (July 29, 1951-July 17, 1993) was a longtime member of the Modern Times Bookstore collective, an impresario, a poet and an activist for LGBT rights in the United States and Latin America. Matthews started Modern Times’ monthly open reading for LGBT writers and created the store’s Spanish language section. He also hosted Mainstream Exiles, a salon for poets and musicians at the Valencia Rose. Matthews grew up working class in Florida and moved to Boston to avoid arrest for dodging the draft. He moved to San Francisco in the early 1970s. Matthews helped found Bay Area Gay Liberation in the 1970s, Lesbians and Gays Against Intervention in the 1980s and worked with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission’s Latin American programs in the 1990s. According to his obituary, Matthews “built bridges between movements, and he gave all he had to the causes he believed in.” He died of AIDS in July 1993. (See his Bay Area Reporter obituary for more information: (http://obit.glbthistory.org/olo/imagedb/1993/07/29/19930729_Matthews_Tede/m19930729_0.jpg)

Acquisition information:
Gift in 1993. Duplicate audiotapes donated by Nina Jo Smith in March 2013.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff.
Date Prepared:
1978-1994
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Funding for processing this collection was provided by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Terms of access:

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Managing Archivist at the GLBT Historical Society. Permission to publish is given on behalf of the Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner.

Preferred citation:

Tede Matthews Oral History Project records. GLBT Historical Society

Location of this collection:
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, CA 94103, US
Contact:
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
Website