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Title: Sanford Lowe papers
Dates: 1953-1995
Collection Number: 2008-33
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 1.1 linear feet
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: Dr. Sanford “Sandy” Lowe (1935-2005) was a rabbi, biblical scholar and instructor of religious studies at Santa Rosa Junior
College. His Bay Area Reporter obituary describes him as a rabbi without a temple and a gay liberationist. Lowe also won medals
in swimming at the Gay Games. The bulk of the collection consists of black and white photographs taken by Lowe after 1981.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research. The erotica in this collection may only be viewed by researchers age eighteen and over and
it is made available for educational and research purposes.
[Identification of item]. Sanford Lowe papers. Collection Number: 2008-33. GLBT Historical Society
Gift of Dan Nuebel for Sandy Lowe and Simon Bockie on March 7, 2007.
Scope and Content of Collection
Dr. Sanford “Sandy” Lowe (1935-2005) was a rabbi, biblical scholar and instructor of religious studies at Santa Rosa Junior
College. His Bay Area Reporter obituary describes him as a rabbi without a temple and a gay liberationist. Lowe also won medals
in swimming at the Gay Games. The bulk of the collection consists of black and white photographs taken by Lowe after 1981.
The photos are unsorted but those Lowe labeled were foldered together. Many were taken at his ranch near Windsor, where Lowe
hosted and mentored activists and held an annual Buckeye Festival/Karl Marx/Walt Whitman celebration on the land’s pond. There
are many portraits of friends, including candid photos of Laine and Carolyn, which he submitted to an “Advocate” contest,
“Images from Our Lives.” The collection also has snapshots (dating back to at least 1963), ephemera and posters from the Gay
Games and his political organizing, including materials regarding the Briggs initiative (Prop 6); a few letters; self-portraits
and process prints; silk screen prints of Schmiel Leib; a Nomenus badge; and his class ring from Brooklyn Technical High School.
There is also a small collection of erotica, including videotapes and Sierra Domino publications. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374;
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_008194; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_008529; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_007696;
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_007701
Photography
Jewish people
Gay men
Sports