Guide to the High Tech Gays Records MSS.2018.10.08
Monica Keane
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Fall 2018
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: High Tech Gays Records
creator:
High Tech Gays
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2018-10-08
Physical Description:
1 Box
(1.2 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1983-2001
Date (bulk): 1983-1993
Abstract: The High Tech Gays records (1983-2001, bulk 1983-1997) document the activities of High Tech Gays, an organization for gay
high technology workers in Silicon Valley in California. It consists of primarily monthly newsletters, some correspondence,
buttons, audio cassette, and photographs.
Content Description
The High Tech Gays Records collection consists primarily of monthly newsletters but also includes correspondence, flyers,
photographs and other materials that document the activities of High Tech Gays, an organization for gay high technology workers
in Silicon Valley in California.
The newsletters relate information about the group's social events, political activities and monthly meetings that included
a potluck supper and featured a guest speaker. Many of the speakers were related to local politics, such as the the San Jose
Mayoral candidates (Frank Fiscalini, Susan Hammer, Shirley Lewis) or the gay rights movement such as National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force (NFLTF) President Jeff Levi.
The correspondence in particular provide insight into the political activites the organization was involved with, especially
their efforts to educate employers and prevent discrimination against gay people.
Photographs are mainly snapshots from monthly meetings, camping trips and parades.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Organizational History
High Tech Gays was a social and political organization for gay high tech workers in California's Silicon Valley from 1983
to 1997. It organized social events and held monthly meetings in San Jose, California. Its events included parties, camping
trips, and hosted guest lectures.
High Tech Gays was politically active in support of the gay rights movement in the 1980s and 1990s. The group participated
in yearly Pride events in San Francisco and San Jose, as well as the national March on Washington in 1987 and 1993. High Tech
Gays was especially involved in working to prevent employer discrimination against gay people. It petitioned high tech companies
to change their non-discrimination policies to include gay people as a protected class. It supported members' rights to be
treated equally when applying for security clearances and sued the Defense Investigative Security Office in 1984. The 1987
ruling supported the right of gays not to be discriminated against when applying for security clearances, but was overturned
by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 1990.
Information gathered from Carrol, Denny. "High Tech Gays (HTG)." http://hightechgays.com/ (accessed October 19, 2018).
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for
permission to publish or quote manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of San Jose State University Special
Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the 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 representations of the original materials. Use of digital files
from or derived from these collections is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
High Tech Gays Records, MSS-2018-10-08, San Jose State University Library, Special Collections & Archives
Processing Information
Collection processed by Monica Keane 10/19/2018.
Related Materials
Sahl (Ted) Archives: A Collection of San José Gay and Lesbian History, MSS-2001-01-01
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gay rights -- California -- San Jose
Civil rights -- California -- San Jose
Gays -- Political activity -- California -- Santa Clara County
Gays -- Societies, etc.
High technology -- Employees -- Societies, etc.
High Tech Gays
San José State University. Library. Special Collections & Archives
Box 1, Folder 12
Newsletters
1986-1988
1986-1988
Box 1, Folder 18
Press Releases and Flyers
