Palm Center records
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
2023
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
http://www.glbthistory.org/
Title: Palm Center records
Dates: 1993-2012
Collection Number: 2022-05
Creator/Collector:
Belkin, Aaron
Palm Center
Extent: 5 feet (4 cartons)
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: The Palm Center is a think tank which promotes the study of LGBTQ people in the armed forces. This collection focuses on the
Palm Center's role in repealing the Clinton-era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy on LGBTQ servicepeople, allowing them
to come out and serve openly; some material also concerns the military service of transgender people.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
Copyright to material has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society. All requests for reproductions and/or permission
to publish or quote from material must be submitted in writing to the GLBT Historical Society Archivist.
[Identification of item]. Palm Center records. Collection Number: 2022-05. GLBT Historical Society
The collection was donated to the GLBT Historical Society by Aaron Belkin in June 2021. Additions in 2022.
Biography/Administrative History
The Palm Center is a think tank which promotes the study of LGBTQ people in the armed forces. Founded in 1998 as the Center
for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military, it was renamed in 2006 to honor donor Michael Palm. The research of scholars
from the Palm Center has been extensively published, both in the scholarly and popular press, and the organization played
a role in the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection focuses on the Palm Center's role in repealing the Clinton-era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy on LGBTQ
servicepeople, allowing them to come out and serve openly; some material specifically concerns the military service of transgender
people. The collection consists largely of publications and reports, as well as subject files, clippings, and audiovisual
material. Some of the audiovisual material captures lectures and testimony that represent the internal military conversation
about DADT. Much of this material -- both audiovisual on paper -- is rare, and represents the Palm Center's substantial efforts
to gain access to military spaces and internal military research. Some figures whose work is covered in the collection include
Ann Loveland, Elaine Donnelly, and Mark Eidelberg.
LGBTQ
Transgender people
Law
Veterans
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)