Kessler (David R.) Papers, 1972-1993

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Summary

Title:
David R. Kessler papers
Dates:
1972-1993
Creators:
Kessler, David R.
Abstract:
Extent:
7 cartons (7 linear feet)
Language:
Preferred citation:

David R. Kessler papers. GLBT Historical Society

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents the professional and political life of David R. Kessler, M.D. The collection contains a small amount of correspondence, speeches and lectures regarding homosexuality and psychiatry, materials relating to Dr. Kessler’s professional and political activities, and numerous subject files on the AIDS epidemic and other topics related to the LGBT community in San Francisco. The papers reflect Dr. Kessler’s research on homosexual relationships within the context of psychiatry and include writings by prominent gay authors and also papers by Charles W. Socarides and Harold M. Voth, who fought against the removal of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-III. The collection contains very little personal material. The collection is divided into six Series: Correspondence; Speeches and Lectures; Professional and Political Activities; AIDS Subject Files; General Subject Files; and Writings by Others. In November 2024, the David R. Kessler Trust donated several photographs, buttons, speeches, T-shirts, and reports related to Bay Area Physicians for Human Rights, homosexuality and psychiatry, and gay and AIDS politics in 1970s and 1980s San Francisco. These materials are held in carton 7. GSSO Linked Terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000521; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_001813; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374

Biographical / historical:

David R. Kessler, M.D. (born April 1, 1930 - died November 24, 2022) was the first elected president of the San Francisco-based gay doctors organization—Bay Area Physicians for Human Rights (BAPHR). After completing his medical degree and residency at Yale, he served on the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco Medical School. He was also on the staff of the Langley-Porter Institute from 1962 until his retirement in 1986. Dr. Kessler was past president of the Gay and Lesbian Caucus of the American Psychiatric Institute and served on the board of directors for the NAMES Project and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. In 1991-1992 Dr. Kessler endowed the David R. Kessler Lecture award at the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLAGS) at the City University of New York. Dr. Kessler's partner, Steven Del Re, died of complications from AIDS in 1986.

Acquisition information:
Gift of David R. Kessler in November 1993. Addition in November 2024.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff.
Date Prepared:
1972-1993
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 the National Historical Publications Commission (NHPRC) and the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR).

Preferred citation:

David R. Kessler papers. 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