Walt Westman papers

Title: Walt Westman papers

Dates: 1975-1987

Collection Number: 1988-07

Creator/Collector: Westman, Walter E., 1945-

Extent: 1 box (.4 linear feet)

Repository: GLBT Historical Society

Abstract: The Walt Westman Papers is a small collection which contains materials related to Dr. Westman's efforts at enhancing communication among gay and lesbian scientists, fostering public awareness of gay and lesbian scientists within the scientific community, and promoting understanding of the adverse effects of homophobia upon society. Westman (1945-1991) was an environmental scientist and gay activist. The collection is made up of letters, organizational publications, documentation of various scientific meetings where Dr. Westman or his colleagues presented papers, and articles, newsletters and ephemera produced by gay, lesbian, and bisexual organizations within the scientific community. Little of the collection documents Dr. Westman's personal life; a few photographs and one letter from his brother, Robert are the exception.

Language of Material: English

Collection is open for research. Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

[Identification of item]. Walt Westman papers. Collection Number: 1988-07. GLBT Historical Society

Gift of Walter Westman

The Walt Westman Papers is a small collection which contains materials related to Dr. Westman's efforts at enhancing communication among gay and lesbian scientists, fostering public awareness of gay and lesbian scientists within the scientific community, and promoting understanding of the adverse effects of homophobia upon society. Westman (1945-1991) was an environmental scientist and gay activist. The collection is made up of letters, organizational publications, documentation of various scientific meetings where Dr. Westman or his colleagues presented papers, and articles, newsletters and ephemera produced by gay, lesbian, and bisexual organizations within the scientific community. Little of the collection documents Dr. Westman's personal life; a few photographs and one letter from his brother, Robert are the exception. Most documents were generated by Dr. Westman's involvement with the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Persons of which he was a founding member. NOGLSTP began as the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists. The majority of the collection’s documents are from NOGLSTP and therefore this is the only name that will be used in the collection guide though it should be understood that documents from NOGLS are included in the collection. NOGLSTP grew out of a symposium held at the 1980 American Association for the Advancement of Science entitled, “Problems arising from homophobia in the scientific workplace.” NOGLSTP was essentially a clearing house for regional bisexual, gay and lesbian science groups. The collection contains letters written by NOGLSTP officers, most notably the correspondence of Joseph Schriener, press releases and publications prepared by NOGLSTP, inter organizational memos, and the newsletters of the regional affiliated groups. The collection includes a brief history of NOGLSTP written by Dr. Westman. Folders 1-37 contain Dr. Westman’s letters and papers. These include letters sent by Dr. Westman as well as letters which he received. Included is a transcript of testimony given to a Department of Defense committee, documents related to Dr. Westmans efforts at having sexual orientation added to the non-discrimination policies of Science magazine and the American Association for the Advancement of the Sciences, records of a Gay Academic Union meeting which Dr. Westman attended, and several articles and press clippings related to his work and concerns. Folders 37-59 contain documents produced by NOGLSTP and their affiliated organizations. These documents provide a context in which Dr. Westman's letters and papers can better be understood. The letters of Joe Schreiner, who held the position of chairperson of NOGLSTP and the Gay Association of Technicians, Engineers and Scientists, and letters addressed to the board of NOGLSTP are rich in information about the organization and its work. In addition there are letters sent by members of various NOGLSTP affiliated groups to each other. See especially the Edward Sebesta/Ron Dagni letters. There are also short publications printed by NOGLSTP as part of their stated goal of providing information to the scientific community and the society at large regarding gay and lesbians in science. These folders also contain records of a Supreme Court case in which NOGLSTP participated and other documents, such as flyers and meeting minutes, from NOGLSTP affiliated organizations. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_008194; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/NCIT_C16529