Summary
Abstract
The Lambda Student Alliance (LSA) (formerly Gay Student Services (GSS) (1981-1984), Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance (LGSA) (1984-1987) and Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance (LGBSA) in 1987-1998) was a LGBTQIA+ student group at Penn State. They were active in advocating for and supporting LGBTQIA+ students at Penn State. Their advocacy included successfully campaigning to add sexual orientation to the university's non-discrimination statement, Pride Week demonstrations, and participating in the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. They also hosted many events, including support groups, Straight Talks, Pride Week, and National Coming Out Day, as well as provided resoruces and support to LGBTQIA+ students. This collection includes banners, newsletters, photographs, reports and other documents relating to LGBTQIA+ activism at Penn State and nationally. This collection also documents the work of the LSA, including event leaflets, correspondence, photographs, press kits for potential speakers, and informational resources on HIV/AIDS during the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Dates
- Creation: 1985-1998
Extent
8.75 Linear Feet (Housed in two Paige boxes and two 40.5" drop front boxes)
Background
Biographical / Historical
A student group for LGBTQ+ activism started at Penn State with the formation of the Homophiles of Penn State (HOPS) in 1971. Following litigation with the university, HOPS was formally recognized as a student organization in 1973, but disbanded in 1983. The next student organization was Gay Student Services (GSS) in 1981. Gay Student Services later became the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance (LGSA) in 1984 followed by the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance (LGBSA) in 1987, and ultimately the Lambda Student Alliance (LSA) in 1998. The Lambda Student Alliance disbanded by 2003 and has been superseeded by other student organizations, most recently the ion Pride Roundtable for Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity Caucus (or Lion PRIDE Caucus) in 2023.
These student organizations were all active in advocating for LGBTQIA+ students at Penn State. Their activism included adding sexual orientation to the university's non-discrimination statement in 1991, Pride Week demonstrations, and marching in the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. They also hosted many events, including support groups, Straight Talks, Pride Week, and National Coming Out Day.
Biographical/historical note derived from the Lion PRIDE Caucus website: https://sites.psu.edu/lgbtqaroundtablepsu/home/
Scope and Contents
The Lambda Student Alliance records contain banners, brochures, buttons, correspondence, leaflets, minutes photographs, press kits, reports, and other materials documenting the activism and events of the student organization. This collection documents the LSA's activism through artifacts such as buttons, banners, and t-shirts as well as correspondece, leaflets, and photographs. Researchers will be especially interested in the reports created about homophobia on Penn State's campus (Homophobia: Past Oppression, Current Climate & Future Implications. A Summary Composed and Compiled by the Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Student Alliance of the Pennsylvania State University), a report in support of adding sexual orientation to Penn State's nondiscrimination policy, and a report by the Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force (PLGTF) on homophobic violence in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. This collection also includes campus newsletters, inlcuiding Lionhearted (and a parody Chickenhearted, The Drum (the Black caucus' newsletter), as well as non-campus newsletters by the San Diego Veterans Association (SDVA), Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America (GLBVA). This collection demonstrate's activism such as protesting Penn State coach Rene Portland's alleged anti-lesbian policies, participation in the 1993 March on Washington, criticism of the Daily Collegian's coverage of gay persons, and other activities.
This collection also documents LSA's other activities, such as providing resources, support groups, and events within the State College area. Materials include information on AIDS information and prevention resources, brochures and LGBTQIA+ identity and "coming out," and bibliographies on LGBTQIA+ related publications. Also documented are community events, such as PFLAG State College events and events in collaboration with local churches. The Lambda Student Alliance records also demonstrates the inner workings of the LSA through versions of its constitution, meeting minutes, subject files, and event planning records such as press kits (which also provide insight into LGBTQIA+ entertainers and speakers working in the United States during the 1990s).
Physical Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Penn State University Libraries catalog via the link above. Archival collections may be housed in offsite storage. For materials stored offsite, please allow 2-3 business days for retrieval.
Processing Information
Originally processed by unknown Special Collections staff. Lexy deGraffenreid reprocessed this collection in August 2023 by refoldering materials, removing duplicates and one graded student paper, supplying folder titles, and artificially arranging the collection in alphabetical order by folder or item title. Mae Casey rehoused banners into oversized drop front boxes to improve preservation. As no original order or file headings existed, Lexy deGraffenreid chose to supply file headings for all folders. One undergradate student paper was removed and securely destroyed in alignment with FERPA restrictions.
Using These Materials
Repository Details
Part of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library Repository
104 Paterno Library
Penn State University
University Park 16802 USA
(814) 865-1793
spcollections@psu.edu
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Photocopies of original materials may be made available for research purposes at the discretion of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library. Photocopies or reproductions of original materials may be subject to fees as outlined by the Pennsylvania State University Libraries reproduction policies. Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Patrons seeking advice on the availability of unpublished materials for publication should consult relevant copyright law and laws of libel.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Lambda Student Alliance records, 00558, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University.
- Title
- Guide to the Lambda Student Alliance records
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Prepared by Special Collections Library faculty/staff (2011). Revised by Lexy deGraffenreid, 2023
- Date
- 2011, 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021; 11-15-2021: As part of bulk updates, Benjamin Mitchell updated standardized notes to current standard; updated language "transgendered to transgender" - RDD
- 2023: Lexy deGraffenreid revised this finding aid following reprocessing