Guide to the Ted Sahl Addition. MSS.2022.03.16
Eilene Lueck
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
5/10/2022
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Ted Sahl Addition
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2022.03.16
Physical Description:
2 Box
(1.96 linear ft.)
Date (inclusive): 1898-2013
Abstract: The Ted Sahl Addition was originally comprised of 16 scrapbooks created by photojournalist Ted Sahl on Bay Area social justice
movements, 2012 election coverage, presidential memorabilia, local LGBTQ+ history, and Black history. A majority of the scrapbooks
comprise of materials from unpublished photo essays, including negatives, photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence,
and notes. Other scrapbooks contain the postcards, buttons, and photographs Ted Sahl collected on U.S. presidents, the United
Farm Workers movement, and World War II.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Ted Sahl Addition contains unpublished scrapbook and memorabilia collections assembled by Ted Sahl that reflect his career
documenting political and social movements across the country. The items in this collection are companions to The Ted Sahl
Archives: A Collection of San José Gay and Lesbian History and The Ted Sahl Social Justice Collection. The bulk of the material
dates from 2010-2013 and consists of Bay Area newspaper clippings assembled into scrapbooks that reflect public opinions of
social issues, especially the 2012 United States presidential election and the overturning of Proposition 8, which banned
same-sex marriage in California. Other scrapbooks contained large collections of negatives, prints, and flyers from photo
essays on Black communities in the Bay Area, street scenes, and images from protests throughout the Bay from 1977-2007. There
are also numerous miniature portraits of Bay Area activists, LGBTQ+ royal family title holders, celebrities, and the executive
directors of the Billy DeFrank Community Center over a period of 30 years. Several scrapbooks labeled "Book II on History,"
contained further information on the local LGBTQ+ movement and comprise of flyers, letters, postcards, book excerpts, and
photographs. Ted Sahl also acquired postcards, buttons, flyers, and photographs of United States Presidents, cartoon postcards
from World War II, and letters and postcards released by the United Farm Workers labor union.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged alphabetically in three series: Series I. Black History; Series II. LGBTQ+ Bay Area History; Series
III. Political History.
Biographical History
Theodore (Ted) Sahl is an award winning photographer in San José, California. Sahl has spent the last 30 years as a photojournalist,
documenting social and political events in the Bay Area. Although best known for his involvement with the gay and lesbian
community (GLBT), he also covered the anti-nuclear demonstrations at the Lawrence Livermore Radiation Laboratory, and the
Farm Labor Strikes that occurred during the 1970's.
Sahl's long time association with the GLBT community began in 1978 after a bitter dispute took place between the gay community
and members of the Christian right. Local Christian groups were upset over the San José City Council's decision to issue a
proclamation in support of Gay Pride Week. While the Christian groups mobilized against the City Council, the gay community
held a rally in support of Gay Pride Week. Intrigued by the grassroots activism and interested in recording the event, Sahl
attended the protest and thereby launched a life long career documenting the GLBT community.
Initially, the GLBT community distrusted Sahl's motives as a heterosexual outsider. At that time, many individuals in the
gay community were still "closeted" and did not wish to be photographed. Over the next three decades however, Sahl gained
the trust of the GLBT community and today is widely recognized for his work as a photojournalist and as an outspoken advocate
for gay rights.
Sahl served as the staff photographer for a number of local GLBT newspapers including the Lambda News, South Bay Times, Our
Paper and Valley Views. His photographs have appeared in a number of works, including a 1999 San José Mercury News documentary
on the city's lesbian and gay community, entitled "A Community of One." In 1981, the San Francisco Cable Car Award Association
nominated Sahl for an award in photojournalism. He was also the recipient of an honorable mention in Advocate magazine's National
Photo Contest in the "People" category and has the distinction of being the only heterosexual to ever become the President
of the Board of the San José Gay Pride Celebration Committee.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
Ted Sahl Addition, MSS-2022-03-16, San José State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Eilene Lueck on May 19, 2022.
Related Materials
Ted Sahl Archives: A Collection of San José Gay and Lesbian History, MSS-2001-01-01, San José State University Library, Special
Collections & Archives.
Ted Sahl Social Justice Collection, MSS-2010-10-25, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Photojournalism -- California -- San Jose
Photojournalists
Gays -- California -- Santa Clara County -- History.
Gays -- Political activity -- California -- Santa Clara County
Presidents -- United States
World War II -- History
African Americans -- California -- 20th century
Memorabilia.
Postcards.
Series I. Black History
circa 1920-2013
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by title, then chronologically.
Scope and Contents
This documents local and national moments in Black History contains the contents from two scrapbooks assembled by Ted Sahl.
The first folder includes a post card, an illustration, photographs, and photo negatives on general and local Black history.
The main subject of the essay is on Brian Copeland and Black churches in San Francisco and Santa Cruz. The second folder consists
of newspaper clippings and a photograph of Tiger Woods.
Box 1, Folder 1
Black History Pictorial Essay with Postcards, Photographs, and Photo Negatives
circa 1920-2009
Content Description
This file contains a postcard with a caricature from the early 20th century, two photographs of a vaudeville dancer and an
aviator dated from 1920-1930, negatives and photographs from a photo essay on Brian Copeland and Black churches in San Francisco,
and a similar essay with photographic negatives from Santa Cruz.
Box 1, Folder 2
Tiger Woods Newspaper Clippings and Photograph
2009-2013
Content Description
This folder contains newspaper clippings and a photograph of Tiger Woods, the first Black professional golfer admitted into
the Professional Golf Association (PGA).
Series II. LGBTQ+ Bay Area History
1977-2013
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by title, then chronologically.
Content Description
This series consists of materials related to local LGBTQ+ experiences that Ted Sahl documented through newspaper clippings,
negatives, photographs, portraits, postcards, chapter excerpts, and press materials.
Box 1, Folder 3
Billy DeFrank Community Center Executive Directors' Mini Portraits
1977-2006
Content Description
This folder contains the mini portraits of all the executive directors of the Billy DeFrank Community Center in San José,
CA, from 1977-2006. These portraits were originally contained in the scrapbook, GLBT Community Title Holders of Royal Family
Mini Portraits.
Box 1, Folder 4
Book II on History: Photo Essay Negatives and Newspaper Clippings
2010-2011
Content Description
This folder contains photographic negatives and newspaper clippings on Bay Area LGBTQ+ History. The negatives include photo
essays on the coronation of the Imperial Royal Lion Monarchy of San José in 2012, "Home Sweet Home," "Green Monster," "Volkswagen,"
"Bruni Artist," scenes from the gay bar "Mac's Club," street scenes in Campbell and San José. The section with newspaper clippings
focus on local civil rights protests in Oakland and San José, CA. Some negatives from the photo essays "Home Sweet Home,"
"Volkswagen," and "Green Monster" are also located in the Now Gay Photo Essays.
Box 1, Folder 5
Book II on History: Materials on Personal and LGBTQ+ Experiences (1 of 2)
2010-2013
Content Description
This folder contains notes, chapter excerpts, photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, flyers, and postcards. The
chapters and cover are from Ted Sahl's book,
From Closet to Community: A Quest for Gay & Lesbian Liberation In San Jose & Santa Clara County. Newspaper clippings are primarily from
Lambda News: San Jose's Gay Community Newspaper.
Box 1, Folder 6
Book II on History: Materials on Personal and LGBTQ+ Experiences (2 of 2)
2010-2013
Content Description
This folder contains notes, chapter excerpts, photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, flyers, and postcards. The
chapters and cover are from Ted Sahl's book,
From Closet to Community: A Quest for Gay & Lesbian Liberation In San Jose & Santa Clara County. Newspaper clippings are from Lambda News.
Box 1, Folder 7
Community Members, Activists, and Title Holders' Mini Portraits
1977-2009
Content Description
This folder contains the mini portraits of activists and community members in Santa Clara County. Duplicate shots are taken
of these individuals as they take on new positions and responsibilities during the course of their volunteer work. Additionally,
there are portraits of title holders of the LGBTQ+ courts, including Casa de San Jose and Imperial Grand Golden Lion Court
emperors and empresses.
Box 1, Folder 8
GLBT Community Title Holders of Royal Family Mini Portraits
circa 1977-2006
Content Description
This folder contains the mini portrait photographs of the community title holders of Royal Family from the various community
competitions and pageants. The photographs include the emperors and empresses from Mr. Miss Gay San Jose, Casa de San Jose,
Imperial Grand Golden Lion Court of San Jose, and the Imperial Royal Lion Monarchy of San Jose court.
These scrapbooks originally contained portraits of the Billy DeFrank Community Center executive directors from 1977-2006.
Box 1, Folder 9
LGBT Historical Life in San José: Photographs, Flyers, and Newspaper Clippings
1977-2013
Content Description
This folder contains flyers, photographs, and newspaper clippings on LGBTQ+ social movements in the Bay Area. This assortment
of material includes a flyer from the Santa Clara County Coalition for Human Rights in response to Anita Byrant, photographs
of political figures during the Gay Rights movements, and newspaper clippings from local protests.
Box 1, Folder 10
Now Gay Photo Essays
2009-2013
Content Description
This folder contains the materials for five essays by Ted Sahl. These materials include SJSU library newsletters, newspaper
clippings, photographs, and negatives. The essays featured in the original scrapbook are "Home Sweet Home," "Volkswagon,"
"Oakland Protesters," "Green Monster," and "Free Furniture." Some negatives from these photo essays are located in Book II
on History: Photo Essay Negatives and Newspaper Clippings, but were arranged in different scrapbooks.
Box 1, Folder 11
Ted Sahl Press Materials From Second Gay T.V. Interviews
2006-2007
Content Description
This folder includes photographs of Ted Sahl, notes, newspaper clippings, and book sale press information for his book,
From Closet to Community.
Series III. Political History
1898-2013
2006-2013
Content Description
This series consists of politically oriented scrapbooks about the 2012 United States presidential election, Proposition 8,
presidential memorabilia, United Farm Workers memorabilia, and photo essays by Ted Sahl on Santa Cruz social movements and
lifestyles. Series materials contain newspaper clippings, photographs, political cartoons, postcards, political buttons, and
photo negatives.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by title.
Box 1, Folder 12
Bay Area Newspaper Clippings on President Obama and Proposition 8 (1 of 2)
2005-2012
Content Description
This folder contains letters from President Obama and newspaper clippings from Bay Area news sources regarding the political
environment in 2012 during the United States presidential election, Proposition 8, and Santa Clara County local elections.
Box 1, Folder 13
Bay Area Newspaper Clippings on President Obama and Proposition 8 (2 of 2)
2005-2012
Content Description
This folder contains letters from President Obama and newspaper clippings from Bay Area news sources regarding the political
environment in 2012 during the United States presidential election, Proposition 8, and Santa Clara County local elections.
Box 1, Folder 14
Bay Area Newspaper Clippings on Presidential GOP Candidates and Proposition 8 (1 of 2)
2011-2013
Content Description
This folder contains letters, newspaper clippings, and a postcard on the 2012 presidential election that document the Republican
candidates. Later newspaper clippings also cover Proposition 8 and related events.
Box 1, Folder 15
Bay Area Newspaper Clippings on Presidential GOP Candidates and Proposition 8 (2 of 2)
2011-2013
Content Description
This folder contains letters, newspaper clippings, and a postcard on the 2012 presidential election that documented the Republican
candidates. Later newspaper clippings also cover Proposition 8 and related events.
Box 1, Folder 16
Bay Area Newspaper Clippings on Proposition 8
2011-2013
Content Description
This folder contains newspaper clippings and a San Jose Pride Event program. Topics include Proposition 8, President Obama's
positions on gay marriage, pieces from the Castro History Project, and Campbell Mayoral Election with then Campbell Mayor,
Evan Low.
Box 1, folder 17
Bay Area Newspaper Clippings on Proposition 8 Ruling
2013
Content Description
This folder contains newspaper clippings on the Proposition 8 ruling, the resulting marriages, and changes made to church
laws in multiple states in response.
Box 1, Folder 18
Cesar Chavez History, United Farm Works Memorabilia
2002-2010
Content Description
This folder contains postcards from the United Farm Workers labor union, two letters from the UFW, and
a 2005 promotional UFW calendar.
Box 1, Folder 19
Political Cartoons by Ted Sahl for
Our Paper, Your Paper
1984
Content Description
This folder contains two rough drafts of political cartoons by Ted Sahl for
Our Paper, Your Paper, a biweekly LGBT newspaper in Santa Clara County.
Box 1, folder 20
Presidential Memorabilia: Photos, Postcards, and Booklet
circa 1898-2008
Content Description
This folder contains memorabilia on various United States presidents and includes a booklet, photographs, and postcards. The
presidents included in the card collection are: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore
Roosevelt, Gerald Ford, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon
B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, William "Bill" Clinton, and Barack Obama.
Box 2
Presidential Memorabilia: Political Buttons
circa
Content Description
This box contains 6 political buttons from United States presidential elections and inaugurations for Nelson A. Rockefeller,
George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
Box 1, Folder 21
Street Scenes in Santa Cruz, Photo Essay `
1978-2006
Content Description
This folder contains negatives and photographs from community members and demonstrations in Santa Cruz, CA. The negatives
include photos from Latino protests against discrimination and anti-war demonstrations. Other negatives depict candid scenes
of Santa Cruz pedestrians, family photos, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Box 1, Folder 22
World War II U.S.A. Military Postcards
1941-1944
Content Description
This folder contains United States military postcards from World War II. The illustrations are cartoons of military life and
enlistment propaganda.