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Guide to the Mark Porsche Papers
MSS-2003-04
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Title: Mark Porsche papers
Dates: 1989-1992
Bulk Dates: 1991
Collection number: MSS-2003-04
Creator:
Porsche, Mark
Collection Size:
1 linear foot
Repository:
San Jose State University. Library.
San Jose, California 95192-0028
Abstract: The Mark Porsche Papers (1989-1992) document Porsche's organization of the Gay Pride Parade Celebration of San Jose and his
work on the Gay Pride Celebration Committee of San Jose and the California Association of Pride, Inc. The collection includes
correspondence, financial and community organization records, press releases, news clippings and other miscellany. The collection
highlights his service as president of the groundbreaking 1991 Gay Pride Celebration of San Jose, an annual event that continues
today.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
The collection is open for research.
One restricted folder of financial records is contained within this collection. Written permission is required to access folder
67. Usage of the materials is subject to approval by the Director of Special Collections.
Copyright has been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is granted on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Copyright restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files from or derived
from these collections is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Mark Porsche Papers, MSS-2003-04, San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Processing completed by Danelle Moon and Deb Sica, 2005. EAD encoding by Karla Aleman, 2006.
Biography / Administrative History
Mark Porsche (1951-1993) was a leader, peacemaker and outspoken dignitary for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT)
community of Santa Clara County. He believed that GLBT visibility would promote a legacy of safety, acceptance and equality
for the gay community. Porsche reflected on the purpose of the Pride Parade by stating in a press release that, "Although
the Festival is held at the Fairgrounds, only those who attend see our celebration. When we celebrated in the downtown parks,
everyone saw us. I look at the Parade as a chance to once again become more visible to the entire community." It was this
belief that promoted the first ever city-sanctioned Gay Pride Parade in San Jose.
Personal History:
Porsche was born on February 17, 1951 in Olympia, Washington. In his short life, Porsche was father to four children, Lisa
Moore of Idaho, Tiana and Sean Porsche of Washington and John Porsche of Alaska. He was brother to four siblings, Robert Porsche
of California and Vickie Van Ness, Kimberly Stevens and Connie Shumate of Washington and son to Laura Porsche. Mark Porsche
went to high school in Lacey, Washington and later received an Associates Degree in Arts from Tacoma Community College. In
Porsche's personal life, he played piano and organ and performed with the musical groups Interstate 5 and Sounds Feasible.
He moved to San Jose in the late 70s and worked as an electrician and maitre d'. In 1982, he founded Prestige Electric, located
in the Koll Center in San Jose and contracted with companies such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, American Airlines, Swenson Construction
and Club St. John. The family business motivated both of his sons to become electricians. Porsche and his partner, Danny Webster,
had a commitment ceremony at the Metropolitan Community Church. Later, Danny Webster died of an AIDS related illness. Caregiver
and ARIS Project volunteer, Mark Gillard, took care of Porsche in his final days. Porsche died at the age of 42 on April 12,
1993 in Redwood City, California from AIDS-related complications.
Community Work:
Porsche played an integral role in planning the 1991 Pride Parade including obtaining permits, securing insurance, fund raising
and promotion. During his presidency of the Gay Pride Celebration Committee of San Jose, Porsche removed many logistical obstacles
by convincing both the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer to issue a proclamation that
granted the week of June 3-9th Lesbian and Gay Pride Week. Porsche served as the Director of the California Association of
Pride, Inc. (CAPI) and as a board member at the Billy DeFrank Center. At the state level, Porsche worked for the passage of
AB2601, landmark legislation that protected GLBT people from employment discrimination. In spite of all of his public efforts,
Porsche was a recovering alcoholic and member of Alcoholics Anonymous with four and a half years of sobriety at his time of
death. He continued to work tirelessly as a fundraiser for the ARIS Project and was active in the Metropolitan Community Church.
History of the Pride Parade in San Jose:
On June 26, 1971, Morris Kight, the founder of the Gay Liberation Front, spoke to a group of over 100 people that provoked
an impromptu march down First Street in San Jose. Following this historic event, the GLBT community of Santa Clara County
did not march on the streets of San Jose for several years. As an alternative, rallies were held regularly starting in 1976
in St. James Park. In the following years, the rallies were hosted at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, the Stockton GLBT
bar area and the Billy DeFrank Lesbian and Gay Community Center. In 1991, the parade and festival become a city-sanctioned
event as a result of the efforts of Mark Porsche and the Gay Pride Celebration Committee of San Jose. On June 8 & 9, 1991,
the festival was held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds and the parade was held on the morning of June 9 at 11:00 am.
In the years after Porsche's death, his legacy and dedication continues as San Jose is now home to the largest Pride Parade
in the South Bay Area.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Mark Porsche Papers (1989-1992) document Porsche's organization of the Gay Pride Parade Celebration of San Jose and his
work on the Gay Pride Celebration Committee of San Jose and the California Association of Pride, Inc. The collection includes
correspondence, financial and community organization records, press releases, news clippings and other miscellany. The collection
highlights his service as president of the groundbreaking 1991 Gay Pride Celebration of San Jose, an annual event that continues
today. San Jose State University acquired this collection from Robert Porsche, on April 7, 2003.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Porsche, Mark, 1951-1993.
Gays--California--San Jose--Political activity--History--20th century.
Gay liberation movement--California--San Jose--History--20th century.
Gays--California--San Jose--Identity.
Index Terms Related to this Collection
San Jose State University. Library. Special Collections & Archives.