Skip Aiken papers
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: Skip Aiken papers
Dates: circa 1976-1987
Collection Number: 1994-29
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 1 carton
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: Skip Aiken was a computer programmer who was very active in San Francisco’s leather and uniform fetish scenes; he was also
a recovering alcoholic and American Sign Language interpreter who often volunteered his services at his Alcoholics Anonymous
meetings. Aiken’s collection contains extensive and deeply personal correspondence with family, friends, and lovers, as well
as other materials relating to sobriety, kink, and AIDS.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research. The erotica in this collection may only be viewed by researchers age eighteen and over and
it is made available for educational and research purposes.
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]. Skip Aiken papers . Collection Number: 1994-29. GLBT Historical Society
The collection was donated to the GLBT Historical Society by Kenneth Teise in 1994.
Biography/Administrative History
Skip Aiken was a computer programmer who was very active in San Francisco’s kink scene, as both a leatherman and a uniform
fetishist (with particular interest in police and Nazi uniforms). He was also a recovering alcoholic and American Sign Language
interpreter who often volunteered his services at his Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. In the 1980s, Aiken lost a lover to AIDS.
He also had a significant relationship with a Deaf man who was apparently the impetus for his learning to sign. Aiken was
a founding member of Gay Fathers and the Society of Janus. In 1990, he died during surgery following a heart attack.
Scope and Content of Collection
Aiken’s collection contains extensive and deeply personal correspondence with family, friends, and lovers, as well as other
materials relating to sobriety, kink, and AIDS. The latter include clippings, personal notes and writings, professional papers,
newsletters, erotica, the script for a musical drama to be performed at a queer AA conference, and genealogical research.
Of particular note is a lengthy glossary with American Sign Language translation notes for AA jargon. Coverage of the death
of Aiken’s lover is also significant, and includes journal entries, a typed chronology, and correspondence. GSSO linked terms:
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000268
Gay men
Leather