Title: Bill Camilo Papers

Dates: 1977 - 1986

Collection Number: 1998-48

Creator/Collector: Camilo, Bill

Extent: 1 folder

Repository: GLBT Historical Society

Abstract: This collection is a single folder of Bill Camilo's papers. Most of the material is focused on Camilo's involvement with two youth groups in New Jersey, the Rutgers Gay Alliance and the New Jersey Gay Coalition. There are also papers related to Camilo's arrest for loitering in 1980. Other material in the collection consists of correspondence, a photo (possibly of Camilo), and papers from the March on Washington including an account of a staff member being kidnapped. While there are a few items associating Camilo with San Francisco and Pleasuredome, most of the material in this collection seems to be from his time in the New Brunswick area.

Language of Material: English

Collection open for research.

Copyright to unpublished manuscript materials has been transferred to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.

[Identification of item]. Bill Camilo Papers. Collection Number: 1998-48. GLBT Historical Society

Bill Camilo, (full name: Guillermo A. Camilo) was active in gay youth organizations (Rutgers Gay Alliance and New Jersey Gay Coalition) in the late 1970s to the early 1980s. He was vice-president of the Rutgers Gay Alliance at the time of his arrest for loitering on May 1, 1980. It cannot be determined when Camilo moved to San Francisco. In 1986, a postcard from the photographer Rink was addressed to Camilo at a San Francisco residence.

The dated material in the collection ranges from 1977 to 1986, the bulk of the material dates between 1979 and 1980. Some personal items include a color photograph (assumed to be Camilo), a workout/diet regimen, a draft of a poem, Camilo's Pleasuredome business card, his U.S. Census Enumerator credential card, and invitations to various parties put on by Camilo. There is also a postcard of Harvey Milk at his last Castro Street Fair. The picture of Harvey Milk was taken by the photographer Rink and he sent the card to Bill Camilo and Terry Hine (sp?). Student loan papers and an appreciation from the San Francisco Flag Corps are included as well. Camilo was active in at least two gay youth groups in the New Brunswick, NJ, area. One of these groups was the Rutgers Gay Alliance. These papers include meeting agendas and notes, flyers, newsletters and correspondence. Some of the correspondence are between Camilo and New Line Presentations and discuss Leonard Matlovich and Vitto Russo. The only year given for any of these papers is 1980. While he was associated with the Rutgers Gay Alliance, either as vice-president or chairperson (both titles are given to him), Camilo was arrested. On May 1, 1980, Camilo was arrested by New Brunswick police for loitering. Part of this collection consists of a handwritten (photocopied) and a typed (photocopied) account according to Camilo of the events surrounding his arrest. There is a detailed definition of 'loitering,' flyers (original and photocopies) created to get the gay community to attend his trial, and a letter from his attorney. The other organization represented in the collection is the New Jersey Gay Coalition. There is information about a conference to be held, agenda/notes, and correspondence, all dating in 1980. It appears that Camilo may have been involved with the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights between 1979 and 1980, but in what capacity is unknown. There are some press releases including one regarding the 'kidnapping' of Tom Abrams, a member of the National March staff. There are some papers (flyers, correspondence, organization statements) related to other gay youth groups and Livingston College organizations. Finally, there are some papers that do not have a discernable relationship to Camilo. Photocopies of newsclippings from the Miami Herald (no date) regarding Jack Campbell are present. There are a number of photocopied pages of a book of writings/drawings from ca.1875. The text appears to be in Spanish.