Name/Title
State Mates and Country CousinsEntry/Object ID
2020.32.02Scope and Content
Two contact lists and the mailing envelope, postmarked April 11, 1981, Seattle Washington.
These lists were the names and addresses of men known or suspected of being Gay in Michigan urban areas (State Mates 295 names) and rural areas (Country Cousins 82 names.)
Five pages of typed/copied information and a yellow 9x12" clasp envelope. A few hand-written notes about the men are jotted here and there.
The preamble to State Mates hints of the dangers Gay (and by extension all LGBTQ+) people faced connecting in the early 1980s:
"Many of the names on this list are guys who advertise on my correspondence lists, as well as other club lists, while other are simply names which have been supplied from various sources which sell gay merchandise. THOSE names are SUPPOSED to be of guys who are gay, and therefore, should welcome discreet contact – but for pete's sake, make your initial letter an INQUIRY ONLY – omit any graphic sexual details or anything else that appears to be coming on too strong – if he's interested, he'll reply – if not, DON'T PURSUE IT! Don't make yourself obnoxious by pursuing someone who is not interested! NEVER try to make direct contact! Don't assume it is OK to march up to a guy's door and introduce yourself. IT ISN'T, AND IT IS INCREDIBLY STUPID! These lists can be published only as long as the people who receive them act INTELLIGENTLY!"Context
An example of a Gay/LGBTQ+ secret network, circa 1981Collection
1960 Gay/LGBTQ+ cultureCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2020.32Source or Donor
Spencer, Chris Tracy 1943-2022Acquisition Method
DonationLocation
Box
011 A Gay & LGBTQ+ generalCreate Date
January 26, 2022Update Date
September 18, 2022