Finding Aid to the Joe Altman photographs of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parades PC 040

Jaime Henderson
California Historical Society
May 2019
678 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
reference@calhist.org


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: California Historical Society
Title: Joe Altman photographs of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parades
Creator: Altman, Joe, 1945-1991
Identifier/Call Number: PC 040
Physical Description: 0.4375 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1979-1985
Date (bulk): 1979
Abstract: Collection contains 77 black and white, gelatin silver print photographs of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade (1979-1980) and the San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade (1981-1985) taken by Joe Altman between 1979 and 1985.

Biographical / Historical

Joe Altman was born December 1, 1945 in New York state. He moved to San Francisco at age 21. Altman was a photographer, primarily capturing portraits of gay couples and important events in the gay community such as candlelight marches and Freedom Day parades. Altman died on April 4, 1991 in Santa Rosa, California.

Conditions Governing Access

CHS is not taking appointments for research at this time. Please check the Library's website updates: https://californiahistoricalsociety.org/collections/north-baker-research-library/ 

Conditions Governing Use

Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Joe Altman were transferred to the California Historical Society (CHS) in October 1985 by Joe Altman. Reproduction or publication of materials in this collection beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of CHS. Please contact rights@calhist.org

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Joe Altman, 1985.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item, date]; Joe Altman photographs of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parades, PC 040; [box number, folder number]; California Historical Society.

Scope and Contents

Collection contains 77 black and white, gelatin silver print photographs of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade (1979-1980) and the San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade (1981-1985) taken by Joe Altman between 1979 and 1985. Collection also contains 69 contact sheets; 12 photocopies of contact sheets. Contact sheets were printed for every year between 1979 and 1985, but not all photographs represented in the contact sheets were included in this collection. Bulk of the photographic prints cover the 1979 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. The photographs of the 1979 parade show gay organizations participating in the parade including the Gay Atheist League; Sha'ar Zahav, a gay synagogue; Gay Latino Alliance; Society of Janus; gay members of the Libertarian Party; Harvey Milk Gay Democratic Club; San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching and Twirling Corps; Lesbian/Gay Cause of Butte County; Community United Against Violence; Golden Gate Business Association; Los Angeles Gay Freedom Band; National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights contingent; Gay People's Union at Stanford; Straights for Gay Rights; Gays Against Nuclear Power; Ministers for Human Rights; Dykes on Bikes; and the San Francisco Lesbian Mothers. Floats representing the following gay businesses are represented: Boot Rack; The Watergarden Baths; Blue Front Dely; Bulldog Baths; Club Bath Chain; I-Beam; DeLuxe Bar; and the Trocadero Transfer (represented in a float from the 1982 parade). Individuals identified in the 1979 parade photographs include: Guy Corry; Mr. National Gay Rodeo, 1979; George Bosque; Bob Ross of the Bay Area Reporter; Harry Britt; Leonard Matlovich; Ed Paulson, Mr. Gay Muscular Dystrophy; and Tim Phillips.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Gay pride parades -- California -- San Francisco -- Pictorial works
Gays -- California -- San Francisco -- Pictorial works
Lesbian -- California -- San Francisco -- Pictorial works
Photographic prints

 

San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade 1979-06-24

Physical Description: 11 folders

Scope and Contents

Contains contact sheets and photographic prints of the 1979 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade.
Box 01, Folder 01

Contact sheets

Scope and Contents

Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1979 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 02

Identification sheets

Scope and Contents

Contains identification sheets listing the title and numerical identification of the photographic prints of the 1979 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 03

Men in costume on Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-1-4/4A
Box 01, Folder 03

Gay Atheist League Contingent with Harvey Milk banner 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-1-8/8A
Box 01, Folder 03

Bob Stein bearing Sha'ar Zahav, gay synagogue banner, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-1-13/13A
Box 01, Folder 03

Bob Stein, Sha'ar Zahav, gay synagogue 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-1-14/14A
Box 01, Folder 03

The Gay Latino Alliance, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-1-17
Box 01, Folder 03

Dancers, Gay Latino Alliance 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-1-20/20A
Box 01, Folder 03

Boot Rack float: a giant boot (San Jose) 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-1-24/24A
Box 01, Folder 03

The Watergarden Baths float (San Jose) 1979-06-24

General

Back of photograph includes note: Lambda rising pendant symbolic of gay liberation.

General

Numbered: 1979-1-25/25A
Box 01, Folder 03

The Society of Janus contingent 1979-06-24

General

Banner reads: Straights - Bi's - Gays Say Consenting S/M is O.K.

General

Numbered: 1979-1-31/31A
Box 01, Folder 03

Libertarian Party float, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-1-34/34A
Box 01, Folder 03

Society of Janus sign bearer 1979-06-24

General

Sign reads: S/M Sensuality and Mutuality, Consenting S/M is O.K.

General

1979-1-36/36A
Box 01, Folder 04

Bikers on Market St. in front of the Crocker Bank 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-2-18/18A
Box 01, Folder 04

Costumed men with Blue Front Dely balloons 1979-06-24

General

Blue Front Dely was a delicatessen at Haight and Ashbury streets.

General

1979-2-20/20A
Box 01, Folder 04

Guy Corry for Mayor float 1979-06-24

General

Guy Corry was a popular San Francisco photographer.

General

Numbered: 1979-2-21A
Box 01, Folder 04

"A fresh rose for you" Market St. at California and Drumm Sts. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-2-24/24A
Box 01, Folder 04

Group from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs float on Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-2-32/32A
Box 01, Folder 04

Riding Shotgun 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-2-34/34A
Box 01, Folder 05

Mr. National Gay Rodeo 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-3-2A/3
Box 01, Folder 05

Enthusiastic marcher, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-3-3A/4
Box 01, Folder 05

Spectators on Market St., Blue Front Dely float (right) 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-3-9A/10

General

Blue Front Dely was a delicatessen at Haight and Ashbury Streets.
Box 01, Folder 05

Blue Front Dely float on Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Blue Front Dely was a delicatessen at Haight and Ashbury Streets.

General

1979-3-11A/12
Box 01, Folder 05

George Bosque for Sheriff, Ferry Bldg. (background) 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-3-17A/18
Box 01, Folder 05

Bulldog Baths float, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

1979-3-18A/19
Box 01, Folder 05

Phone booth vantage point on Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-3-28A/29
Box 01, Folder 06

Bob Ross of the Bay Area Reporter and "Ginger," Emperor and Empress of San Francisco sporting. 1979-06-24

General

Bob Ross and Ginger wearing buttons reading "[Milton] Marks for D.A."

General

Numbered: 1979-4-4A/5
Box 01, Folder 06

San Francisco Supervisor Harry Britt, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-5A/6
Box 01, Folder 06

Harvey Milk Gay Democratic Club 1979-06-24

General

Club named for gay San Francisco supervisor assassinated by Dan White in 1978.

General

1979-4-6A/7
Box 01, Folder 06

San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Twirling Corps, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-11A/12
Box 01, Folder 06

San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Twirling Corps, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-15A/16
Box 01, Folder 06

San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Twirling Corps 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-17A/18
Box 01, Folder 06

Lesbian/Gay Cause of Butte County contingent 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-23A/24
Box 01, Folder 06

Club Bath Chain San Francisco float in Civic Center 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-27A/28
Box 01, Folder 06

"Portrait of a Young Man" (Club Bath Chain, San Francisco float) 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-28A/29
Box 01, Folder 06

Leonard Matlovich seated on Lambda American flag 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-30A/31
Box 01, Folder 06

Golden Gate Business Association, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-31A/32
Box 01, Folder 06

Golden Gate Business Association contingent, Market St. at California and Drumm Sts., Ferry Bldg. 1979-06-24

General

Signs read: "We Are: Advertising and Public Relations, Contractors, Photographers, House Painters, Attorneys, Etc."

General

Numbered: 1979-4-32A/33
Box 01, Folder 06

San Francisco policeman precedes men with balloons on Market St. at Beale St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-4-33A/34
Box 01, Folder 06

Spectators at Spear and Market Sts. 1979-06-24

General

1979-4-35A
Box 01, Folder 07

Los Angeles Gay Freedom Band performer wearing the famous Levis 501's jeans 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-5-6A/7
Box 01, Folder 07

The National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights contingent 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-5-18A/19
Box 01, Folder 07

Gay People's Union at Stanford contingent, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-5-19A/20
Box 01, Folder 07

Straights for Gay Rights contingent, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-5-23A/24
Box 01, Folder 07

Banner reads: "One Struggle - Many Fronts! Support the Struggle for the Rights of Gays and all Oppressed People!" 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-5-24A/25
Box 01, Folder 07

Gays Against Nuclear Power contingent, Market St. at California and Drumm Sts., Ferry Bldg. in background 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-5-25A/26
Box 01, Folder 07

Ministers for Human Rights, Market Sts. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-5-26A/27
Box 01, Folder 07

Ed Paulson, Mr. Gay Muscular Dystrophy, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-5-27A/28
Box 01, Folder 07

"Jeep Riders" 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-5-30A/31
Box 01, Folder 08

Community United Against Violence contingent on Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Sign reads: "Stop Attacks on Lesbian and Gay Men Carry a Whistle"
Box 01, Folder 08

Dancer with I-Beam Float, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

I-Beam was a Haight Street disco.
Box 01, Folder 08

Dancers with the I-Beam Float on Market St. 1979-06-24

General

I-Beam was a Haight Street disco.

General

Numbered: 1979-6-9/9A
Box 01, Folder 08

"DeLuxe, the Bar at Haight and Ashbury" float, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-6-30/30A
Box 01, Folder 08

"Buttons" 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-7-19/19A
Box 01, Folder 08

Clowns 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-7-34/34A
Box 01, Folder 09

Main stage in front of City Hall showing parade theme banner: "We Are Everywhere" 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-8-1/1A (Feature print)
Box 01, Folder 09

Civic Center crowd, banner reads: "Gay American Indians" 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-8-3/3A
Box 01, Folder 09

Costumed celebrants in front of City Hall 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-8-9/9A
Box 01, Folder 09

"Gay Iwo Jima," San Francisco Civic Center 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-8-13/13A
Box 01, Folder 09

Lesbian couple in Civic Center 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-8-36A
Box 01, Folder 10

Community United Against Violence contingent 1979-06-24

General

Top banner reads: "Community United Against Violence"; bottom banner reads: "Stop Attacks On Lesbians and Gay Men Carry A Whistle"

General

Numbered: 1979-9-2/2A

General

Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 10

Crowd facing the main stage, Civic Center 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-9-4A
Box 01, Folder 10

Tim Phillips (right), woman applying lipstick using his sunglasses as a mirror, Civic Center. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-9-8A/9 (Feature print)
Box 01, Folder 10

Men in "Camp Drag" 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-9-10A/11
Box 01, Folder 10

Civic Center Celebrants 1979-06-24

General

Labeled on back: "Note gay flag flying front of City Hall."

General

Numbered: 1979-9-30A/31
Box 01, Folder 10

Lesbian spectators standing together on a Civic Center bench. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-9-33A/34
Box 01, Folder 11

Dykes on Bikes, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-10-22A/23
Box 01, Folder 11

San Francisco Lesbian Mothers, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-10-23A/24
Box 01, Folder 11

"Creative Award" winning women's float, Market St. 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-10-29A (Feature print)
Box 01, Folder 11

Preparing float at Spear St. before parade 1979-06-24

General

Numbered: 1979-11-36A (Feature print)
 

San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade 1980-06-29

Physical Description: 2 folders

Scope and Contents

Contains contact sheets and photographic prints of the 1980 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. Only a small portion of the images from the contact sheets were printed and included in the collection.
Box 01, Folder 12

Contact sheets 1980-06-29

Scope and Contents

Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1980 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 13

Person in pig mask kissing smiling man 1980-06-29

General

Numbered: 1980-4-4

General

Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 13

Carnival outside of San Francisco City Hall 1980-06-29

General

Numbered: 1980-5-23A

General

Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 13

Crowd gathered outside San Francisco City Hall. 1980-06-29

General

Numbered: 1980-7-28A

General

Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 13

People gathered on float with sign: Ain't No Stopping Us Now 1980-06-29

General

Numbered: 1980-12-35

General

Title supplied by cataloger.
 

San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade 1981-06-28

Physical Description: 2 folders

Scope and Contents

Contains contact sheets and photographic prints of the 1981 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade. Only a small portion of the images from the contact sheets were printed and included in the collection.
Box 01, Folder 14

Contact sheets 1981-06-29

Scope and Contents

Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1981 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 15

Costumed parade goers ride in car with sign reading "Moral Majority" 1981-06-28

General

Title supplied by cataloger.
 

San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade 1982-06-27

Physical Description: 2 folders

Scope and Contents

Contains contact sheets and photographic prints of the 1982 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade. Only a small portion of the images from the contact sheets were printed and included in the collection.
Box 01, Folder 16

Contact sheets 1982-06-27

Scope and Contents

Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1982 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Box 01, Folder 17

Trocadero Transfer float at California and Drumm and Market Sts. 1982-06-27

General

Title supplied by cataloger.

General

The Trocadero Transfer was an after hours dance club located in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco.
Box 01, Folder 17

Float with banner: "Gay Fathers are: Responsible, Caring, Nurturing, Hot, Role Models, Tender, Involved, United" 1982-06-27

General

Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 17

Clown in back of Volkswagen Bug convertible, sign reads: "Boom-Boom for Soup" 1982-06-27

General

Title supplied by cataloger.
Box 01, Folder 17

Parade marchers holding banner that reads: "Out of Many...One Lesbian/Gay Freedom Day 27 June 1982 San Francisco" 1982-06-27

General

Title supplied by cataloger.
 

San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade 1983-06-26

Physical Description: 1 folder

Scope and Contents

Contains contact sheets prints documenting the 1983 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade. No photographic prints of the 1983 parade are included in this collection.
Box 01, Folder 18

Contact sheets 1983-06-26

Scope and Contents

Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1983 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.
 

San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade 1984-06-24

Physical Description: 1 folder

Scope and Contents

Contains photocopies of contact sheets of images from the 1984 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade. No photographic prints of the 1984 parade are included in this collection.
Box 01, Folder 19

Contact sheets 1984-06-24

Scope and Contents

Contains photocopies of the photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1984 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.
 

San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade 1985-06-15

Physical Description: 1 folder

Scope and Contents

Contains contact sheets containing images of the 1985 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade. No photographic prints of the 1985 parade are included in this collection.
Box 01, Folder 20

Contact sheets 1985-06-15

Scope and Contents

Contains photographer's contact sheets documenting the 1985 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade.