Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation
RJ Alcalá gay rights and culture collection
Alcalá, R. J. (Robert J.)
D.602
/repositories/2/resources/1388
2.13 cubic feet
(3 letter-size archival boxes and 2 oversize flat boxes)
1962-2003
English
.
Biographical / Historical note
RJ Alcalá graduated from the Eastman School of Music 1971. He was one of the original members of the Gay Liberation Front at the University of Rochester, and was also an early member of the GLF's Speakers Bureau. He is credited with naming The Empty Closet, one of the longest continually-running LGBTQ+ newspapers in the United States, when it began in 1971. RJ remained an important figure in the efforts for gay liberation in Rochester, NY, working to repeal NYS sodomy laws, and participating in the Names Project. RJ continued his work with the early GLF Speakers' Bureau with its continuation under the Out Alliance in their early days as the Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley, whose members offered themselves as informational outreach speakers at community meetings, companies, schools, and other institutions in order to better educate people about the realities of LGBT experience and life. He has also been a speaker at the Anthony Mascioli Rainbow Dialogues (Rochester, 2019), and was interviewed and featured in the Shoulders to Stand On oral history project (2012) and documentary film (2013).
Processing Note
The materials in this collection have been arranged to preserve the intersectionality of the personal and political implied in their original order. Materials which were originally housed together were kept associated, either by folder or series, though folder contents have been re-arranged chronologically for clarity.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in five series:
- Series I: Formation of the Gay Liberation Front, 1962-1971
- Series II: The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley, 1982-1990
- Series III: National media coverage of the Gay Rights Movement, 1971-2003
- Series IV: The Gay Games, 1990-1994
- Series V: Novelty ephemera, 1995
Scope and Contents
The RJ Alcalá gay rights and culture collection, 1962-2003 (1980s), consists of materials gathered and created by RJ Alcalá. The materials largely focus on the gay liberation and gay rights movements, including Alcalá's work with the Gay Liberation Front at the University of Rochester, the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley (the Out Alliance), the Names Project, and the Anti-Defamation League of Rochester. A large portion of the gathered materials consist of newspaper and journal articles, clippings, and entire issues (some arranged in two scrapbooks), representing a local and national scope of gay life on a personal and political level. International magazines in French (Globe) and German (Die Spiegel) featuring articles on gay life, identity, and political oppression are also present. Mainstream (The New York Times, Newsweek), limited-release (The Empty Closet), and underground publications (Gay Flames pamphlet/zine) are present. A significant portion of materials focus on the AIDS crisis, the personal experiences and losses sustained by the LGBTQ+ community, and the national political backdrop and response, as well as the Gay Games of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Access
The RJ Alcalá gay rights and culture collection is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], RJ Alcalá Gay Rights and Culture Collection, D.602, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Related Materials
Video Interview, RJ Alcalá, October 20, 2012
Shoulders to Stand On, documentary, 2013
The Empty Closet online collection
The Gay Brotherhood of Rochester papers
Use
Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.edu.
Handling Note
Researchers and archives staff should be advised that some large newspaper articles have been left folded up and placed in protective sleeves in the collection. Researchers are allowed to remove these multi-page or folded items from the sleeves for closer examination with staff supervision or aid as needed.
Gay men
Gay rights
Gay liberation movement
Same-sex marriage
World AIDS day
Gays--Political activity
New York (State)--Rochester
Alcalá, R. J. (Robert J.)
Out Alliance (Rochester, N.Y.)
Gay Games
Series I: Formation of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF)/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214031962-1971English.Scope and ContentsThe first series, The Formation of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), 1962-1971, is comprised of material gathered or written by Alcalá during the early days of the GLF. Included are newspaper and journal articles, notes, gay zines, fliers, magazines, materials from the 1971 March on Washington to protest for gay rights, programs from a mass held to bless the protesters, and an unidentified photograph of an early GLF meeting in Todd Union. A number of news articles on "Anticipatory Avoidance Learning" or "aversion therapy" using electrical shock therapy on gay men are included, including protests and responses from the gay community both on campus and at large. Publications include Gay Flames pamphlet/zine, The Empty Closet, UR Journal, The Campus Times, Newsweek, Harper's, and Sexual Behavior.
"Homosexuality in the Church, " Rev. Robert W. Wood/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214081964English.11Gay Flames Pamphlet, vol. 1, 3, 4, 6-8, 10-13/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214161970-71 and undatedEnglish.12Articles on Gay Liberation/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214171962-1971English.13Photograph of early meeting/repositories/2/archival_objects/321418undated14"He Enjoys Being a Girl," Guy Flatley, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321419November 15, 1970English.15The Empty Closet/repositories/2/archival_objects/321420January 1971English.16The Empty Closet/repositories/2/archival_objects/357246February - March 197116.1Ecumenical Prayer Service program, Trinity United Methodist Church/repositories/2/archival_objects/321421March 14, 1971English.17March of the Gay Unveiling March Information Sheet/repositories/2/archival_objects/321422March 1971English.18Sticker, State March of the Gay Unveiling, Albany/repositories/2/archival_objects/321423March 13-14, 1971English.19Letter to Times-Union editor regarding coverage of the March, RJ Alcalá/repositories/2/archival_objects/321424March 1971English.110UR Journal/repositories/2/archival_objects/321425April 1971English.111The Empty Closet/repositories/2/archival_objects/321426April-May 1971English.112The Campus Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321427May 14, 1971English.113UR Journal/repositories/2/archival_objects/321428October 1971English.114The Empty Closet/repositories/2/archival_objects/357247Fall 1971"Out of the Closet: A Gay Manifesto," Allen Young, Ramparts/repositories/2/archival_objects/321429November 1971English.115The Empty Closet newsletter, no. 18/repositories/2/archival_objects/321430July 1972English.116Series II: The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley (GAGV)/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214041982-1990Scope and ContentsThe second series, the Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley (GAGV), 1982-1990, is comprised of material gathered by Alcalá either for use at or during his time with the GAGV (now the Out Alliance). Material formats include newspaper clippings, an amici curiae brief, magazines, fliers for meetings and protests, and memorial programs. In addition to folders of newspaper articles, this series also contains Alcalá's scrapbook of clippings focused on gay rights activism, often presented with context of other news items of the day. A large amount of this material focuses on the rising AIDS crisis, the personal and political oppression and situation of LGBTQ+ people in the United States, and community and political response. Other topics include the decision and protests against the Supreme Court sodomy ruling against the gay community, debates about the right to privacy of the individual, the pathological medicalization of sexuality and identity, and Gay Pride events. Materials from the AIDS quilt memorial the Names Project and the Anti-Defamation League's fight for fair civil rights are also present.
Coverage of Pride March/repositories/2/archival_objects/321431June 1982English.117Brief for the American Psychological Association and the American Public Health Association as Amici Curiae, Bowers v. Hardwick and Doe, 478 U.S. 186/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214321985English.118"Gay Topics in the News," newspaper clippings/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214361985-1990English.119Anti-Defamation League/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214391985-1986English.120"A Government in the Bedroom: In a sodomy case, the high court rules against gays," Newsweek/repositories/2/archival_objects/321437July 14, 1986English.121"The Gay Decades," Frank Rich, Esquire/repositories/2/archival_objects/321438November 1987English.122The Names Project/repositories/2/archival_objects/321442English.123-25National Tour/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214401988English.123AIDS Memorial Quilt tour program/repositories/2/archival_objects/321441October 1989English.124AIDS Memorial Quilt List of Names 1989-1990/repositories/2/archival_objects/321443September 1989English.125"Gay Items in the News," oversize newspaper clippings/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214441987-1990English.41Scrapbook on gay rights activism/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214451987-1993National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights program/repositories/2/archival_objects/321446October 11, 1987English.42Scope and Contentsp.1
March on Washington weekend calendar of events/repositories/2/archival_objects/321447English.43Scope and Contentsp.2
Native Guide to the Events: Countdown on the National March on Washington/repositories/2/archival_objects/321448English.44Scope and Contentsp.3
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Town Meeting on Sex and Politics program/repositories/2/archival_objects/321449October 10, 1987English.45Scope and Contentsp.4
"Denying AIDS Its Sting: A Quilt of Life," Katherine Bishop, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321450October 5, 1987English.46Scope and Contentsp.5
Demonstrations, AIDS health policy/repositories/2/archival_objects/321451October 14 & 20, 198747Scope and Contentsp.6
"2,000 Gay Couples Exchange Vows in Ceremony of Rights," Linda Wheeler, The Washington Post/repositories/2/archival_objects/321452October 11, 1987English.48Scope and Contentsp.7
Gay marriage demonstration, AIDS treatment. The Washington Post/repositories/2/archival_objects/321453October 11, 198749Scope and Contentsp.8
"Hundreds of Thousands March for Gay Rights," Karlyn Barker and Linda Wheeler, The Washington Post/repositories/2/archival_objects/321454October 12, 1987English.410Scope and Contentsp.9
"A Somber Crowd Dedicates Quilt to AIDS Victims," Sandra G. Boodman/repositories/2/archival_objects/321455October 12, 1987English.411Scope and Contentsp.10
AIDS Quilt, festivals, national policy groups/repositories/2/archival_objects/321456October 12 & 13, 1987English.412Scope and Contentsp.11
"Gay rights protest leads to 600 arrests," Aaron Epstein, The Philadelphia Inquirer/repositories/2/archival_objects/321457October 14, 1987English.413Scope and Contentsp.12
AIDS protest arrests, various newspapers/repositories/2/archival_objects/321458October 14, 1987English.414Scope and Contentsp.13
Protests, AIDS Commission, political cartoon, various newspapers/repositories/2/archival_objects/321459October 14, 1987English.415Scope and Contentsp.14
Supreme Court protests, various newspapers/repositories/2/archival_objects/321460October 14, 1987English.416Scope and Contentsp.14
"Armies of the Dawn: At the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights," various authors, The Voice/repositories/2/archival_objects/321462October 20, 1987English.417-19Scope and Contentsp.16-18
Militant gay protests, gay marriage demonstration/repositories/2/archival_objects/321463October 1987English.420 and 23Scope and Contentsp.19 and 22
"200,000 March in Capital to Seek Gay Rights and Money for AIDS," Lena Williams, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321464October 12, 1987English.421-22Scope and Contentsp.20-21
AIDS Quilt front page feature and national march coverage, The New York Native/repositories/2/archival_objects/321465October 26, 1987English.424-27Scope and Contentsp.23-26
Meeting of gay and lesbian lawyers and personal memories, various newspapers/repositories/2/archival_objects/321466October 1987English.428Scope and Contentsp.27
Programs and images, The Names Project/repositories/2/archival_objects/321467October 1987English.429Scope and Contentsp.28
Images from AIDS protests/repositories/2/archival_objects/321468October 1987430Scope and Contentsp.29
"The Wedding: a demonstration for equal rights" event program/repositories/2/archival_objects/321469October 10, 1987English.431Scope and Contentsp.30
"The Wedding: Celebration and Remembrance," Rebecca Lewin, The New York Native/repositories/2/archival_objects/321470November 2, 1987English.432Scope and Contentsp.31
"Stonewalling," Thomas J. Jackson, The New York Native/repositories/2/archival_objects/321471November 2, 1987English.433Scope and Contentsp.32
"Gay Marchers Throng Capital in Appeal for Rights: A Celebration Mixed With Demands," Jeffrey Schmaltz, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321472April 26, 1993434 and 35Scope and Contentsp.33-34
"Public & Private: The Power of One," Anna Quindlen, The New York Times Op-Ed/repositories/2/archival_objects/321473April 28, 1993English.436Scope and Contentsp.35
Series III: National media coverage of the Gay Rights Movement/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214051971-2003Scope and ContentsThe third series, National media coverage of the Gay Rights Movement, 1971-2003, is a collection of local, national, and international magazines, newspapers, and journals featuring articles on gay sexuality, life, the AIDS crisis, political rights and activism, Pride celebrations, and personal stories. The majority of these items are full issues and speak to the broader context against which the gay liberation and gay rights issues played out.
"Playboy Panel: Homosexuality - Discussion." Playboy vol. 18, no. 4/repositories/2/archival_objects/321474April 1971English.21"Bekennt, daß ihr anders seid," Der Spiegel, no. 11/repositories/2/archival_objects/321475March 12, 1973German.22"Letze Chance einer Liebe auf Erden: US-Autor Barry Graves über Homosexuelle in New York," Der Spiegel, no. 51/repositories/2/archival_objects/321476December 15, 1975German.23"Homosexuelle in Österreich: Herr Sucht Herrn," profil, no. 21/repositories/2/archival_objects/321477May 18-June 7, 1976German.24"How Gay Is Gay? Homosexuality in America," TIME/repositories/2/archival_objects/321478April 23, 1979English.25Articles on the Masters and Johnson study, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321479April 18, 1979English.26"The Meaning of Gay: An Interview with Dr. C.A. Tripp by Philip Nobile," New York Magazine/repositories/2/archival_objects/321480June 25, 1979English.27"Kinsey Study Finds Homosexuals Show Early Predisposition," Jane E. Brody, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321481August 23, 1981English.28"Alan's Story," Donald C. Drake, The Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine/repositories/2/archival_objects/321482May 22, 1983English.29"Gay America: Sex, Politics and The Impact of AIDS," Newsweek/repositories/2/archival_objects/321483August 8, 1983English.210"AIDS: One Man's Story," Patricia Morrisroe, New York Magazine/repositories/2/archival_objects/321484August 19, 1985English.211"Growing Up Gay: The Society's Dilemma - One Family's Crisis," Newsweek/repositories/2/archival_objects/321485January 13, 1986English.212"High Court, 5-4, Says States Have the Right to Outlaw Private Homosexual Acts," various authors, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321486July 1, 1986English.213"Essay: The Individual Is Sovereign," Otto Friedrich, TIME/repositories/2/archival_objects/321487July 21, 1986English.2Gay Community News, vol. 15, no. 12/repositories/2/archival_objects/321556October 4-10, 1987English.51The Washington Blade, vol. 18, no. 41/repositories/2/archival_objects/321557October 9, 1987English.52The Village Voice, vol. 32, no. 42/repositories/2/archival_objects/321558October 20, 1987English.53"Homos: Vignt Ans Après la Colère," various authors, Globe, no. 36/repositories/2/archival_objects/321488April 1989French.215"Stonewall 25," special issue, 10 Percent/repositories/2/archival_objects/321490June 1994English.216"A Mother's Powerful Letter," Sharon Underwood, The Valley News/repositories/2/archival_objects/321491April 30, 2000English.217"Justices, 6-3, Legalize Gay Sexual Conduct in Sweeping Reversal of Court's '86 Ruling," front-page feature, The New York Times, vol. 152, no. 52,527/repositories/2/archival_objects/321559June 27, 2003English.54Series IV: The Gay Games/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214061989-2002Scope and ContentsThe fourth series, the Gay Games, 1989-2002, is comprised of material focused on the international Gay Games, a derivative of the Olympic Games. Materials include programs, maps, schedules, a souvenir brochure from a featured drag performer, and Alcalá's scrapbook of articles and newspaper features focused on the 1994 Games in New York City.
Gay Games 1990 Official Program/repositories/2/archival_objects/321492August 4-11, 1990English.31Gay Games IV and Cultural Festival Collector's Edition Official Program/repositories/2/archival_objects/321495June 18-25, 1994English.32The Games Guide/repositories/2/archival_objects/321493June 18-25, 1994English.33Gay Games IV: The Official Map/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214941994English.34Scrapbook on the New York Gay Games/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214971994English."Is Everybody Gay?" Paul Rudnick, New York Magazine/repositories/2/archival_objects/321496June 20, 1994English.35Scope and Contentsp.1-2
New York Pride Guide/repositories/2/archival_objects/321498June 1994English.36Scope and Contentsp.3
Letter from the Family Defense Council to the Ambassador of Australia; Drag performance review /repositories/2/archival_objects/321499May-June 1994English.37Scope and Contentsp.4
"Thousands Gather for Gay Games and Anniversary of Stonewall Uprising," The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321528June 17, 1994English.55Scope and Contentsp.5
"Things to Do With A Gay Flavor," The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321529June 17, 1994English.56Scope and Contentsp.6
"The Time Has Come;" Gay Games schedule, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321530June 17, 1994English.38Scope and Contentsp.7
Cultural Events schedule and tickets/repositories/2/archival_objects/321531June 17-25, 1994 English.39Scope and Contentsp.8
Gay presence in New York City during the Games, various authors, New York Newsday/repositories/2/archival_objects/321561June 20, 1994English.57Scope and Contentsp.8, oversize items
Games coverage, political protections, various authors, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321532June 20, 1994English.310Scope and Contentsp.9
Australian consul invitation, Games coverage, prejudice and anti-bias policy, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321533June 21, 1994English.311Scope and Contentsp.10
"Revealing the Universal Amid Specifics: Bill T. Jones...," Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321534June 21, 1994English.312Scope and Contentsp.11
"Gay Officers Get Their Turn to Present a Heritage Exhibit," George James; Rikki Streicher obituary, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321535June-Aug 1994English.313Scope and Contentsp.12
Performance review, Lesbian motherhood, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321536June 22, 1994English.314Scope and Contentsp.13
"Gay Pride (and Anguish) Around the Galleries," Holland Cotter, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321538June 24, 1994English.315Scope and Contentsp.14
"In the Ancient Greeks' Theatrical Tradition: Dance Works...," Jack Anderson, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321537June 24, 1994English.316Scope and Contentsp.15
Advertising to gay consumers, performance reviews, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321539June 24-25, 1994English.317Scope and Contentsp.16
"Stonewall Liberation: Who and How," Ben Brantley, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321540June 25, 1994English.318Scope and Contentsp.17
Closing Ceremonies programs/repositories/2/archival_objects/321541June 25, 1994English.319Scope and Contentsp.18
Gay Games Closing Ceremony full-page ad, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321542June 9, 1994English.58Scope and Contentsp.18, oversize items
Program, International March on the United Nations to Affirm the Human Rights of Lesbian and Gay People/repositories/2/archival_objects/321543June 26, 1994English.320Scope and Contentsp.19
March, HIV testing in babies, New York Newsday/repositories/2/archival_objects/321544June 27, 1994English.321Scope and Contentsp.20
"Unauthorized" march to commemorate Stonewall, various articles, New York Newsday/repositories/2/archival_objects/321545June 27, 1994English.59Scope and Contentsp.20-21
Italian news coverage of marches commemorating Stonewall/repositories/2/archival_objects/321546June 27, 1994Italian.322Scope and Contentsp.22
"Gay Marchers Press Ahead in 25-Year Battle," Janny Scott, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321547June 27, 1994English.323Scope and Contentsp.23
Coverage of March, continued, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321548June 27, 1994English.324Scope and Contentsp.24
"From the Gay World's Every Reach, a Sea of Marchers...," James C. McKinley, Jr., The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321549June 27, 1994English.325Scope and Contentsp.25
"The Gay Connection in Music and in a Festival," Alex Ross, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321550June 27, 1994English.326Scope and Contentsp.26
Performance reviews, gay visibility, various authors, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321551June 28, 1994English.327Scope and Contentsp.27
"Mayor Applauds Police on Gay March Strategy," Alison Mitchell, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321552June 28, 1994English.328Scope and Contentsp.28
"Anti-Gay Resolution Draws Louganis Protest," William C. Rhoden, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321553July 8, 1994English.329Scope and Contentsp.29
The Games Guide/repositories/2/archival_objects/321555June 18-25, 1994English.330Scope and Contentsp.30
"Library's Gay Show is an Eye-Opener, Even for Its Subjects," David W. Dunlap, The New York Times/repositories/2/archival_objects/321554Sept. 6, 1994English.510Scope and Contentsp.30, oversize items
Gay Games 2002 Opening Ceremony program/repositories/2/archival_objects/321562November 2, 2002English.511Souvenir brochure for a Barry Humphries drag revue performance, Gay Games Australia/repositories/2/archival_objects/321560(c) March, 1989English.512Series V: Novelty ephemera/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214071995Scope and ContentsThe fifth series, Novelty Ephemera, 1995, is comprised of a set of novelty Gay Pride Christmas string lights in the original packaging.
Gay Pride-themed Freedom Lights, by Don't Panic Designs/repositories/2/archival_objects/3214091995English.5