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Title: L1990.03 The Gary Rees Papers
Dates: 1973-1990
Collection Number: L1990.03
Creator/Collector:
Gary Rees
Extent: .5 linear feet
Repository:
Lambda Archives of San Diego
San Diego, California 92116
Abstract: Gary Rees was prominent San Diego businessman and a dedicated member of the LGBT community. Rees came to San Diego as an ensign
in the Navy in 1971 and became one of the co-founders of The Center while still serving in the military. Rees also helped
establish The Center’s military counselling program and served as The Center’s Executive Director following his discharge
as an officer from 1974-1975. Rees was highly invested in San Diego’s LGBT community and was deeply involved with community
programs. He was chairman and director of San Diego Walks for Life, one of the founders of the AIDS Assistance Fund, and a
co-founder of the Lesbian and Gay Archives (now known as Lambda Archives). Rees actively fundraised for the Center, AIDS Walk,
the Briggs Initiative, and any other civil rights cause or political campaign that benefitted the LGBT community. As a fundraising
effort, Rees created the Nifty Fifty Club in which businesses or individuals pledged $50 a month for a year to pay for costs
relating to San Diego Walks for Life. Gary Rees died on August 13, 1990 of complications relating to AIDS at the age of 43.
Language of Material: English
Open for research
L1990.03 The Gary Rees Papers. Lambda Archives of San Diego
Scope and Content of Collection
The Gary Rees Collection is divided into 12 folders: Miller Parker, Jess Jessop, David Eliot, Clippings of Whoopi Goldberg,
Janet Tiger, Update, Biographies, Gays in Advertising, Signs of Life, GSDBA, Fundraising, and Aids Walk/Walk for Life. These
folders contain newspaper articles and clippings, letters, flyers, Update newsletters, military documents, GSDBA materials,
AIDS Walk materials, and Walk for Life materials.
Gay Center for Social Services
AIDS
AIDS Walk
Robert "Jess" Hall Jessop
San Diego