Summary
Abstract
The Homophilies of Penn State (HOPS), was a student organization founded in 1971 at the Pennsylvania State University. The club aimed to change attitudes towards homosexuality through legal reform, pubic education and individual counseling. It was officially recognized by Penn State in March 1971, however was suspended by University administration two months later in May 1971. In February of 1972, Penn State students filed a civil action against the University in Common Pleas Court of Centre County for revoking the charter based on the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968. HOPS was formally recognized by the University as an official school-sanctioned organization in 1973. Ten years later, HOPS disbanded because of a lack of membership. This collection documents HOPS, its court cases, and advocacy for Anthony (Tony) Carozza, a resident assistant fired by Penn State due to his homosexuality in 1976. This collection also documents HOPS' interest in gay rights advocacy as well as other gay student organizations through their collection of leaflets and newsletters from outside Penn State.
Dates
- Creation: 1965-1979
Extent
0.75 Linear Feet (Housed in one Hollinger box and one half-Hollinger box)
Background
Scope and Contents
The Homophiles of Penn State (HOPS) collection contains clippings, court filings, leaflets, newsletters, press releases, and other materials. The bulk of this material relates to the founding of HOPS, court cases against Penn State for revoking their approved charter, and information about the firing of Anthony (Tony) Carozza. Materials relating to HOPS includes its constitution and bylaws, festival leaflet, spring term schedule, and letter to Penn State administration regarding their budget. Information relating to HOPS' court filings include clippings, correspondence, Office of Student Activities forms, press releases, and copies of court filings. Documents relating to Anthony Carozza include his clippings, correspondence, high school yearbook, and letter of dismissal.
This collection also documents LGBTQ+ activism outside of Penn State, including National Gay Task Force (NGTF) media scripts and notes, newsletters of other gay student organizations at different campuses, a copy of the Washington D.C. Board of Education gay rights policy, and other gay rights leaflets. This collection also contains a hymnal produced by the Metropolitan Community Church Penn State which revises hymns to eliminate sexist language and references in the lyrics.
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.
Custodial History
This collection was donated to Special Collections at an unknown date. A collection of gay and lesbian magazines and newsletters was transferred from the Historical Collections and Labor Archives (HCLA) and interfiled into this collection in 1998. J.R. Guthrie donated the Anthony Carroza binder and a collection of Advocate newspapers in 2015.
Processing Information
Processed by Special Collections staff. Lexy deGraffenreid reprocessed this collection in Summer 2023 by refoldering materials, retitling folders, and separating and refoldering gay and lesbian student newspapers. In consultation with the University Archivist and curator for LGBTQIA+ collections, she also separated the gay and lesbian magazines and newsletters from this collection to be individually cataloged for better preservation and access. She further reinventoried and redescribed this collection.
Subjects
- College students Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Student activism Subject Source: Lcnaf
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], Homophiles of Penn State (HOPS) records, 00450, Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University.
- Title
- Guide to the Homophiles of Penn State (HOPS) records
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Prepared by Special Collections Library faculty/staff; Compiled by Lexy deGraffenreid (2023)
- Date
- 2017, 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 11/15/2021: revision of notes (per description feedback request form) - RDD
- 2023: Lexy deGraffenreid revised this finding aid following reprocessing