Sanford Lowe papers

Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
http://www.glbthistory.org/
2024


Descriptive Summary

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

Access

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.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Sanford Lowe papers. Collection Number: 2008-33. GLBT Historical Society

Acquisition Information

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

Indexing Terms

Photography
Jewish people
Gay men
Sports