Online content
Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Bean, Thom, 1944-1996.
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 7 cartons, 1 oversized flat box, 4 extra-oversized mounted posters.
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Thom Bean Papers. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The papers include correspondence, photograph albums, subject files, draft and published writings by Thom Bean. Subjects include gay rights, politics, and racism (especially within the gay community). The papers also contain records and correspondence of "Quarterly Exchange," Black and White Men Together, and the San Francisco Department of Social Services.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Thom Bean was a gay activist, author, and publisher. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee on December 27, 1944. He lived in Nashville, Chicago, New York City, Evanston, Illinois, and San Francisco. Bean was a founding member and the first chairman of the Black and White Men Together/San Francisco Bay Area chapter. He also served as Third World Co-Chair of the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade Committee; President of San Francisco Girth & Mirth; interim Co-Chair of the Coalition for Human Rights with Carole Migden; Director, OUT/LOOK Foundation Board; and Co-Facilitator of Racism and Homophobia in the Media with Pat Norman. He served as a director on GLAAD/SFBA and as National Representative to GLAAD/USA, as a director on the national board of NABWMT. Thom's gay writing has been published in the Windy City Times, The Advocate, Adweek, Out/Look, New York Native, Bay Area Reporter, The Sentinel, San Francisco Chronicle, and San Francisco Bay Times. Thom published "Castro Express," a merchant/consumer vehicle in the early 1980s, and, later, he published "Quarterly Interchange." His work has also been published in anthologies such as "Black Men White Men: A Gay Anthology" (Gay Sunshine Press, 1983, 1999). Thom had worked in the private sector for American Standard, Walter Thompson, and Doyle Dane Bernback. After leaving the private sector, he worked as a social worker in for the City and County of San Francisco. Bean died on March 17, 1996 in San Francisco.
- Acquisition information:
- Papers received from Thom Bean, 1996.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is partially processed and open for research.
- Preferred citation:
-
Thom Bean Papers. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567