Finding Aid to the Aaron Fricke Papers
Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by Tim Wilson
James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
2005
Title: Aaron Fricke Papers
Date (inclusive): 1980-1993
Collection Identifier: GLC 24
Creator:
Fricke, Aaron
Physical Description:
1 carton
(1.0 cubic ft.)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
Physical Location: Collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Abstract:
The collection contains correspondence, subject files, and notes and drafts for Fricke's works, including
Reflections of a Rock Lobster and
Sudden Strangers.
Access
The collection is open for research. Please call the San Francisco History Center for hours and information at 415-557-4567.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Aaron Fricke Papers (GLC 24), Gay and Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
The Aaron Fricke Papers were donated to The San Francisco Public Library by Aaron Fricke in 1994.
Biographical Note
Aaron Fricke was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on January 25, 1962. His father, Walter, was a ship captain, and his mother,
Loretta Donahue Fricke, a homemaker. Aaron has written two autobiographical books:
Reflections of a Rock Lobster: A Story about Growing up Gay (Boston: Alyson, 1981) and
Sudden Strangers: The Story of a Gay Son and His Father (New York: St. Martin’s, 1991).
Sudden Strangers was co-authored with his father Walter. Aaron received his A.A. in 1994 from City College of San Francisco.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains correspondence, subject files, and notes and drafts for Fricke's works, including
Reflections of a Rock Lobster and
Sudden Strangers. Reflections tells the story of Fricke's desire to take a male date to his high school prom, and details the reactions by his family,
the school, and the media.
Sudden Strangers, written with his father Walter, describes the changes in their relationship following Aaron's coming out.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series: Series 1: Correspondence; Series 2: Subject Files; and Series 3: Works.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Fricke, Aaron -- Archives
Fricke, Walter
Coming out (Gay men)
Coming out (Sexual orientation)--United States.
Fathers and sons--United States
Gay men--Family relationships
Gay men--United States--Biography
Series 1
Correspondence,
1980-1991
Physical Description:
8.0 folders
Folder 1
Alyson Publications,
1980-1981
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 2
Barry, James,
1982
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 3
Circular Letter from Aaron Fricke and Paul Guilbert to “Friends,”
1980
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 4
[Fragment of a letter by Aaron Fricke],
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 5
Fricke, Walter,
1988
1991
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 6
Gordon, S. Gerald,
1980
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 7
Guilbert, Paul,
1980-1981, undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 8
Swearingen, Michael L.,
1990
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Series 2
Subject Files,
1980-1990
Physical Description:
9.0 folders
Folder 9
Barry, James,
1980
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
General Physical Description note:
(photograph)
Folder 10
Clippings,
1980
1989-1990
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 11
“Gay Terms,”
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 12
“Interview Material to Study,”
1980, 1982
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 13
[Notes on activities] “5/6 through 6/6/1980,”
1980
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 14
“Personal 10/18,”
[1987?]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 15
“Personal 9/23,”
[1988]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 16
“Personal 12/3/88,”
1988
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 17
Sketch of Aaron Fricke by J.C.,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Series 3
Works,
1980-1993
Physical Description:
42.0 folders
Folder 18
“Cross Country” [essay],
[198-]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 19
[Cyprus College Newspaper articles. Drafts],
1985
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 20
“Essay” [on being a homosexual],
[1980?]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 21
“Growing Up in Cumberland RI and the Prom,”
1980
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 22
“Notes for ‘Disease or Way of Life’”
[198-]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Reflections of a Rock Lobster : a story about growing up gay
Physical Description:
9.0 folders
Folder 23
[Notes for Reflections of a Rock Lobster]
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 24
Chapter outline
[1980]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 25
“Dream Chapter”
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 26
Notes on Chapters, “Interview”
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 27
Notes on Court Test
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 28
Notes on Press coverage; Fricke’s interview notes; Criticism
1981
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 29
Page Proofs
[1981?]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 30
“Screenplay / Book”
1980
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 31
“Used Material for Book”
1993, undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Sudden Strangers: the story of a gay son and his father
Physical Description:
26.0 folders
General Note
Walter Fricke, Aaron's father, is coauthor.
Folder 32
“Shadows of a Reflection,”
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 33
“Growing Together, or Father Yet Closer,” Drafts,
1981, undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 34
[Sudden Stranger] Drafts,
[1983?]-1984
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 35
Draft Chapters,
1984-1985
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 36
[Sudden Strangers] Outline,
1985
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 37
“Growing Together. Final Chapter Work,”
1985-1986, 1989
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 38
“Growing Together. Understanding the Future,”
[1987]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 39-45
[Growing Together / Sudden Strangers] Revised drafts,
1988-1989
Physical Description:
7.0 folders
Folder 46
Growing Together. Outlines,
1989
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 47
Growing Together. Preliminary Outline,
1989
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 48-49
[Growing Together / Sudden Strangers] Typed chapters,
[1989]
Physical Description:
2.0 folders
Folder 50
[Growing Together / Sudden Strangers] Typed draft,
[1989]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 51
[Growing Together / Sudden Strangers] Excerpts of Walter Fricke’s chapters,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 52
[Growing Together / Sudden Strangers] Final Stuff,
[1989]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 53
Growing Together. 2 computer disks,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 54
[Sudden Strangers]. “Re-write St. Martin’s,”
[1989?]-1990
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 55
[Sudden Strangers]. “Re-write, Final rewrite that Dad Saw…”
[1989?]-1990
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 56
[Sudden Strangers]. Typescript,
1990
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 57
Sudden Strangers. Press Release,
1991
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 58
“To Sir, Fuck You,”
[1980]
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Folder 59
“Wacky” magazine/newsletter,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
