Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: L1995.10 The Jeri Dilno Papers
Dates: 1975-1984
Collection Number: L1995.10
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 1 file folder
Repository:
Lambda Archives of San Diego
San Diego, California 92116
Abstract: From 1993 to 1995, Jeri Dilno held the position of Editor at the Gay and Lesbian Times (GLT) at a time during the AIDS crisis
when organizations such as ACT UP and Queer Nation held large protests. A dedicated journalist, Dilno once posed as a straight
couple alongside Mel Merril to attend a conservative church meeting that was held to discuss the overturning of the Human
Dignity Ordinance.
Dilno has received a great deal of recognition for her political involvement and activism, including being one of the Grand
Marshalls—alongside Jess Jessop—in the 1989 San Diego Pride parade, having March 25, 2006 declared “Jeri Dilno Day” by Mayor
Maureen O’Connor, and receiving many awards such as the Harvey Milk Award at the 1988 Nickys, the 1990 Jess Jessop memorial
Founders Award from The Center, and the Susan B. Anthony Achievement Award from the San Diego chapter of NOW.
Language of Material: English
Access
Open for research
Preferred Citation
L1995.10 The Jeri Dilno Papers. Lambda Archives of San Diego
Biography/Administrative History
Jeri Dilno was born and raised in San Diego. Dilno joined the Airforce after attending San Diego State University in 1958,
however she received a dishonorable discharge in 1961 after being investigated, along with eight others, for being gay. Dilno
was the only one to fight the charges and later had her dishonorable discharge changed to honorable, establishing her commitment
to pursuing LGBT Rights.
After living in Philadelphia for a brief time, Dilno returned to San Diego and helped found the first organized San Diego
Pride march in 1975. Dilno served as the first female Executive Director of The Center from 1975 to 1977 and chaired the board
of The Center from 1978 to 1980. Dilno also served as the President of the San Diego Democratic Club from 1987 to 1991, the
co-chair of the LGBT Democratic Caucus from 1989 to 1991, and a delegate at the National Democratic Convention in 1988, 1992,
and 2000.
From 1993 to 1995, Dilno held the position of Editor at the Gay and Lesbian Times (GLT) at a time during the AIDS crisis when
organizations such as ACT UP and Queer Nation held large protests. A dedicated journalist, Dilno once posed as a straight
couple alongside Mel Merril to attend a conservative church meeting that was held to discuss the overturning of the Human
Dignity Ordinance.
Dilno has received a great deal of recognition for her political involvement and activism, including being one of the Grand
Marshalls—alongside Jess Jessop—in the 1989 San Diego Pride parade, having March 25, 2006 declared “Jeri Dilno Day” by Mayor
Maureen O’Connor, and receiving many awards such as the Harvey Milk Award at the 1988 Nickys, the 1990 Jess Jessop memorial
Founders Award from The Center, and the Susan B. Anthony Achievement Award from the San Diego chapter of NOW.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection consists of one file folder containing documents giving permission for the 1975 San Diego Pride parade to
take place, documents containing the rules of using the public space, a document giving permission to have live music for
the Pride rally, letters and telegrams between the 1975 Pride Committee and members of local politics (such as then-Mayor
Maureen O’Connor) containing well-wishes, a hand written article about the event by Dilno, financials of the 1975 Pride events,
songs for the event, rental car forms, a questionnaire from Christopher Street Pride (Los Angeles), and the Christopher Street
Pride 1975 program.