Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography / Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Arrangement
Related Material
Descriptive Summary
Title:
COLAGE
(Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere)
Dates: 1982 -- 2000
Bulk Dates: 1990 -- 1996
Collection number: 2001-04
Creator:
COLAGE
Collection Size:
1.67 linear feet
1 Carton + 1 Manuscript box
Repository:
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94105
Abstract: This collection contains records of the ancestry, emergence, and activities of the organization,
COLAGE
from 1982 to 2000. The bulk of the collection is from 1990 to 1996. The content of the collection focuses on the organization's
newsletters, annual conferences, and advocacy work on issues related to custody and adoption rights of gay and lesbian parents.
The collection includes newsletters, conference and other events papers, membership surveys, member manuscripts, issues papers
including court case transcripts, and operational papers documenting the evolution of the organization.
Physical location: Stored at the Archives of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society in San Francisco, California
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
Collection open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright to unpublished manuscript materials has been transferred to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item],
COLAGE
(Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere), 2001-04, The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.
Acquisition Information
Donated to the GLBTHS by Felicia Park-Rogers, Director of
COLAGE
, on January 16, 2001.
Biography / Administrative History
COLAGE
(Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere) emerged in 1990, from within a larger organization of gay and lesbian parents
(GLPCI). GLPCI was originally (1982) called Gay Fathers Coalition, but the group changed its name to Gay and Lesbian Parents
Coalition International (GLPCI) in 1987. Among other activities, GLPCI held annual conferences around the country that provided
a forum for gay and lesbian parents (and their children) to meet and discuss issues and challenges of being a gay or lesbian
parent as well as being the child of a gay and/or lesbian parent. At the 1989 annual conference, several of the children made
the parents aware that they had issues that were not being addressed. They made the request to organize and set the agenda
for the youth activities at annual conferences. The parents agreed and the group, Just For Us (JFU), led by Hope Berry and
Emily Gmerek, was formed. Just For Us created a self-titled newsletter that was made up of the writings and artwork of its
members. By 1993, Just For Us was conducting mid-year steering committee meetings, developing a mission statement, connecting
children with resources and support services, as well as organizing the annual youth conference (held at the same time and
place as the GLPCI annual conferences). It was at this time that Just For Us also decided to change its name to
COLAGE
. The organization established a national headquarters in San Francisco in 1995. Stefan Lynch, formerly the newsletter editor,
stepped into the role of director as a volunteer. In 1997, Felicia Park-Rogers was the first hired director. It is beyond
the scope of this collection, but
COLAGE
organized as a distinct 501(c)3 in 1999. As of 2008,
COLAGE
includes members of all ages, and continues to work to support children of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender parents.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains records of the ancestry, emergence, and activities of the organization,
COLAGE
from 1982 to 2000. The bulk of the collection is from 1990 to 1996. The content of the collection focuses on the organization's
newsletters, annual conferences, and advocacy work on issues related to custody and adoption rights of gay and lesbian parents.
Newsletters
Just For Us was the name of the main newsletter for the organization, but others such as
COLAGE
Notes, and Second Generation were created by organization members and are included. There does not appear to a complete run
of any title. Some issues do not include dates so their location in the chronology has been approximated. The newsletters
contain stories of personal experience, poetry and prose, as well as resource information and event information.
Events
Besides the annual conferences, the organization held several events including fundraisers, a family brunch, and a play (written
and performed by group members).
Operations
Minutes from steering committee meetings are evidence of how the organization was developed, its priorities, and planning
strategies. There are a number of membership surveys that collected information about
COLAGE
members and their experiences.
Issues
There are five folders of material related to issues
COLAGE
took action on. They include responses to CA Gov. Pete Wilson's moves to ban adoption by gays and lesbians as well as specific
court cases dealing with adoption and custody by gay and lesbian parents.
Publicity
There are a number of periodicals and publications that include
COLAGE
or address issues concerning their community.
Arrangement
This collection is organized in 3 series:
- Series 1.
COLAGE
- 1.1 Operations
- 1.2 Events
- 1.3 Programs
- 1.4 Issues
- 1.5 Membership MSS
- 1.6 Finance
- 1.7 Newsletters and Mailings
- 1.8 Publicity and Related Organizations
- Series 2. JFU
- 2.1 Operations
- 2.2 Events
- 2.3 Newsletters and Mailings
- Series 3. GLPCI
- 3.1 Operations
- 3.2 Programs
- 3.3 Finance
- 3.4 Newsletters and Mailings
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Youth
- Newsletters:
- Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere - Just for Us
- Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere - Kids Club Fun Pages
- Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere -
COLAGE
Notes