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Bill Beardemphl (1926-2002) was a journalist, activist, and chef who is best known for founding the Society for Individual Rights (SIR), a homophile organization, and publishing its magazine Vector. In the 1980s, he was also the owner of the San Francisco Sentinel. The collection contains Beardemphl’s journalistic notes, subject files, and photographs, as well as early issues of Vector.

Photograph of Bill Beardemphl with his lifelong partner Johnny DeLeon, circa 1960s.

A mailer/poster exemplifying the opposition to Propositions A and B, which were local ballot measures in San Jose and Santa Clara County intended to outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ people. The poster is part of Bill Beardemphl's large collection of homophobic materials, which he collected as part of his research into his political opponents.

Notes towards an unwritten history of queer San Francisco, potentially titled "Homosexualizing the City," by Bill Beardemphl.

Photograph of Bill Beardemphl and his lifelong partner Johnny DeLeon, circa early 1960s ("must have been taken in '63 or '64" on verso).

Verso of photograph of Bill Beardemphl and his lifelong partner Johnny DeLeon, circa early 1960s (labeled "must have been taken in '63 or '64").

Photograph of Bill Beardemphl and his lifelong partner Johnny DeLeon.

Photograph of Bill Beardemphl and his lifelong partner Johnny DeLeon.

Photograph of Bill Beardemphl (right), his lifelong partner Johnny DeLeon (center), and an unidentified friend, circa 1960s. This photo may have been taken at an Imperial Court event, given the Renaissance costumes worn by the men.

A posed photograph of Bill Beardemphl at work.

Photograph of Bill Beardemphl with his lifelong partner Johnny DeLeon at home.

Newspaper clippings of letters D'Anne wrote to the editors of various publications. Majority of clippings are undated.

A magazine article titled "Discovering Espresso Cafes" by Judith Vasos. It mentions the newly opened Cafe Denise.

An article called "Problem solver: Denise D'Anne" by Cynthia Laird detailing D'Anne's 1998 campaign for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The source publication is unknown.

Mary Richards was a freelance writer for the Bay Area Reporter, an LGBTQ newspaper, for twelve years in the 1980s and 1990s. This collection contains audiotape recordings of interviews Richards conducted with LGBTQ people on a wide range of topics.

Interview with Danny Williams, November 1987. Includes discussion of the Women's Building and conversations with others. Tape 89 label: "Side A: Phone-S. GRAY 8/ G.Adams, J. Poethig. Side B: Danny Williams. November 1987."

Tape 100 label: "AIDS/ARC Theatre Group. 11/5/1988."

Tape 100 label: "AIDS/ARC Theatre Group. 11/5/1988."

Tape 36 label: "Danny Castelow and Steve Abel: AIDS Play. February 1988." Includes discussions of Shanti Project, dance, theater and performance, AIDS

Tape 36 label: "Danny Castelow and Steve Abel: AIDS Play. February 1988." Includes discussions of Shanti Project, dance, theater and performance, AIDS

Tape 52 label "Side A: [Classicats] AIDS Walk. July 1987". Includes recordings from the event.

Tape 52 label: "Side A: [Classicats] AIDS Walk. July 1987". Includes recordings from the event.

Tape 48 label: "Priscilla Alexander. Legislative Aid: Milton Marks-B.A.R. November 1986."

Tape 48 label: "Priscilla Alexander. Legislative Aid: Milton Marks-B.A.R. November 1986."

Tape 91 label: "Jan Allen. Women of Gay Games II. Bay Area Reporter. October 1986." Topics include women, Gay Games, sport, government employees

Tape 91 label: "Jan Allen. Women of Gay Games II. Bay Area Reporter. October 1986." Topics include women, Gay Games, sport, government employees

Tape 118 label: "Side A: Janet Allen, John-Michael Olexy, and Joe Durano. FLAG. 7/29/1988." Federal Lesbians and Gays (FLAG). Includes conversations with other FLAG members.

Tape 118 label: "Side A: Janet Allen, John-Michael Olexy, and Joe Durano. FLAG. 7/29/1988." Federal Lesbians and Gays (FLAG). Includes conversations with other FLAG members.

Tape 78 label: "Side A: Amelia’s Bar. 10/27/1989." Topics include lesbian and gay bars in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tape 78 label: "Side A: Amelia’s Bar. 10/27/1989." Topics include lesbian and gay bars in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tape 184 label: "Side A: Last Call at Amelia’s. Rikki Streicher. 11/9/1991." Topics include lesbian and gay bars in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tape 184 label: "Side A: Last Call at Amelia’s. Rikki Streicher. 11/9/1991." Topics include lesbian and gay bars in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tape 69 label: "Side A: Women’s Basketball. Ellen Abel. 11/4/1987. Side B: United Way-John Stafford. 11/25/1987." Topics: Basketball, Gay Games, sport.

Tape 69 label: "Side A: Women’s Basketball. Ellen Abel. 11/4/1987. Side B: United Way-John Stafford. 11/25/1987." Topics: Basketball, Gay Games, sport, AIDS Crisis Fund, United Way.

Tape 2 label: "Side A: Pat Norman/Tony Jasinski (Basketball). Side B: National March (Hibernia). August 1987". Includes information about national politics, Gay Games, sports, LGBTQ National March.

Tape 65 label: "Side A: Richard Carper (PWA) Walk/Roll for Life. 2/6/1989." Topics: HIV/AIDS

Tape 206 label: "Side A: Bow-Wow Beauties (3). August 1988. Side B: Bow-Wow Beauties (4). August 1988". Topics: HIV/AIDS, PAWS

Tape 88 label: "Side A: Bear SF 1988 / Beard Contest. 4/8/1988. Side B: Gardening-Michael O’Connor. June 1988."

Tape 46 label: "Side A: Barbara Brenner. Women’s Training Center. 1/9/1987."

Tape 2 label: "Side A: Pat Norman/Tony Jasinski (Basketball). Side B: National March (Hibernia). August 1987". Includes information about national politics, Gay Games, sports, LGBTQ National March.

Tape 206 label: "Side A: Bow-Wow Beauties (3). August 1988. Side B: Bow-Wow Beauties (4). August 1988". Topics: HIV/AIDS, PAWS

Tape 88 label: "Side A: Bear SF 1988/Beard Contest. 4/8/1988. Side B: Gardening - Michael O’Connor. June 1988."

Tape 129 label: "Coits: 25th Anniversary I. June 1988."

Tape 22 label: "Side A: Court System II. Side B: Marlina Ginger". Topics: Imperial Court System, Drag

Tape 18 label: "Charlotte Coleman Charpe's. March 1996". Topics: Charpe's, Women, History of LGBTQ Bars, Lesbians, Black Cat, Gay men, Tavern Guild

Tape 18 label: "Charlotte Coleman Charpe's. March 1996". Topics: Charpe's, Women, History of LGBTQ Bars, Lesbians, Mona's

Tape 187 label: "Side A: Bruce Childs. “Coming Out.” 2/16/1989". Topics: Gay men

Tape 187 label: "Side A: Bruce Childs. “Coming Out.” 2/16/1989". Topics: Gay men

Tape 115 label: "Side A: No Christmas Tree for Castro. David. October 1990. Side B: Bruce." Topics: PAWS, Castro Christmas Tree, HIV/AIDS

Tape 93 label: "Karli Berstein-WWII. B.A.R. November 1986." Name: Bernstein or Berstein. Topics: World War II, LGBTQ organizing

Tape 47 label: "Side A: Nicole Berte. 10/24/1984". Topics: Transgender people

Tape 47 label: "Side A: Nicole Berte. 10/24/1984". Topics: Transgender people

Tape 198 label: "Side A: Bill Day-Stop AIDS Project. April 1986." Topics: HIV/AIDS

Tape 198 label: "Side A: Bill Day-Stop AIDS Project. April 1986." Topics: HIV/AIDS

Tape 24 label: "BINGO. June 1996." Topics: HIV/AIDS

Tape 24 label: "BINGO. June 1996." Topics: HIV/AIDS

Tape 113 label: "Side A: Bingo (Hospice). December 1989". Topics: HIV/AIDS, Coming Home Hospice

Tape 113 label: "Side A: Bingo (Hospice). December 1989". Topics: HIV/AIDS, Coming Home Hospice

Tape 177 label: "Side A: George Birimisa [sic]. Arcadia Bodybuilding. February 1988". Topics: Sports, bodybuilding

Tape 177 label: "Side A: George Birimisa. Arcadia Bodybuilding. February 1988". Topics: Sports, bodybuilding

Tape 110: “Bringing Up Baby.” March 1988. Audio Cassette.

Tape 110: “Bringing Up Baby.” March 1988. Audio Cassette.

Tape 19 label: "Side A: Court Matthew Brown". 1996. Topics: Imperial Court System, Drag

Tape 19 label: "Side A: Court Matthew Brown". 1996. Topics: Imperial Court System, Drag

Tape 189 label: "Side A: Bastille Day [crossed out]. 26 Yrs Togetherness III. April 1989. Side B: LisaBrosnahan. Brava. (Works in Progress.) April 1989". Topics: Performance, women in the arts.

Tape 65 label: "Side A: Richard Carper (PWA) Walk/Roll for Life. 2/6/1989." Topics: HIV/AIDS, amfAR

Tape 8 label: "Side A: Virginia Apuzzo - Head of National Gay Rights. Atherton Hotel, San Francisco. 9/14/1984."

Tape 8 label: "Side A: Virginia Apuzzo - Head of National Gay Rights. Atherton Hotel, San Francisco. 9/14/1984."

Tape 5 label: "Side A: Gilbert Baker. 6/3/1989."

Tape 5 label: "Side A: Gilbert Baker. 6/3/1989."

Tape 21 label: "Side A: Men Behind Bars. August 1994. Side B: Friendly Spirit."

Tape 21 label: "Side A: Men Behind Bars. August 1994. Side B: Friendly Spirit."

Tape 208 label: "Side A: AIDS. KQED. 4/20/1983."

Tape 131 label: "Side A: Adult Children of Alcoholics/National Condom Week. January 1988."

Various short answering machine messages interspersed with fragments of recorded conversations between Mary Richards and others. Tape 89 label: "Side A: Phone-S. GRAY 8/ G.Adams, J. Poethig. Side B: Danny Williams. November 1987."

Tape 131 label: "Side A: Adult Children of Alcoholics/National Condom Week. January 1988."

Tape 107 label: "Side A: (3⁄4) Barbara Brenner Women’s Training Ctr. B.A.R./(1⁄4) Bea Roman.Shanti. B.A.R. November 1986. Side B: Bea Roman, Shanti. B.A.R (CFC). November 1986." Topics include: discrimination lawsuits, AIDS

Tape 208 label: "Side A: AIDS. KQED. 4/20/1983."

Interview with Jan Sibley and Madeleine Tress at their 30th anniversary. Topics: Lesbians. Tape 126 label: 30-Year Anniversary. 12/18/1992. Audio Cassette.

Tape 150 label: "Side A: Mitch Bart, Deputy Director of the AIDS Foundation. February 1985."

Tape 150 label: "Side A: Mitch Bart, Deputy Director of the AIDS Foundation. February 1985."

Tape 93 label: "Karli Berstein-WWII. B.A.R. November 1986." Name: Bernstein or Berstein. Topics: World War II, LGBTQ organizing

Interview with Holly Fincke, fundraising coordinator for the Women's Building, and Carmen Vasquez, president of the board for the Women's Building. They discuss the building's financial struggles after a devastating fire. Topics include gender, Women's Building, women, lesbian, and historical landmarks. Tape 67: Side A: Women’s Building (Carmen Holly). 7/28/1987. Audio Cassette.

Interview with Nivedita Grace, the woman who came up with the idea to organize and create a Women's Float for the 1989 Lesbian/Gay Freedom Day Parade. She discusses the process of creating a float, including how the group raised funds and recruited volunteers.Topics include gender, nightlife, Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade, women, lesbians. Tape 119: Side A: Women’s Float. Laura. A=Nivedita. B=Benne. 4/30/1989. Audio Cassette.

Interview with Ray Workman, a travel agent who travelled to Washington DC to attend the National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights. He discusses his expenses for attending the march and his personal opinions to the Catholic Church. Topics include National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights, politics, Washington, gay, lesbian, religion, and Catholicism. Tape 54. Side A: National March-Ray Workman. September 1987. Audio Cassette.

Mary Richards interviews major contributors to the arts and entertainment in San Francisco and their work for AIDS. Interviewees include Nancy Corporon, artistic director of musical groups such as The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band and San Francisco Winds, and Trey O'Regan, founder of the Most Holy Redeemer support group.Topics include religion, music, arts, entertainment, AIDS, and nightlife. Tape 185: Side A: “Volunteers.” 1990 Gay Pride Issue. 5/31/1990. Audio Cassette.

Interview with an attendee (Susan Ray?) of the National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Washington DC. The interviewee worked as a traffic school director in San Francisco. She discusses her expenses in attending the march and what she hopes will come out of the march. Topics include National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights, politics, Washington, gay, lesbian, religion, and San Francisco. Tape 54: Side B: National March-Susan Ray. September 1987. Audio Cassette.

Mary Richards interviews Trey O'Regan, founder of the Most Holy Redeemer support group. He discusses his work for the group, including volunteering for bingo nights, and community efforts to fight AIDS. Topics include religion, arts, entertainment, and AIDS. Tape 185: Side B: “Volunteers.” 1990 Gay Pride Issue. 5/31/1990. Audio Cassette.

Interview with Chris Puccinelli, a yearly volunteer for the Women's Float of the Lesbian/Gay Freedom Day Parade and Gayle Atwell, a volunteer for the first ever Women's Float in 1979. They discuss how the women's float has evolved over the years, including how communities had to organize in 1988 to achieve the same success as they did in 1979.Topics include gender, nightlife, Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day Parade, women, lesbian, and parade. Tape 158: Side A: Women’s Flat. Maud’s 10th Anniversary. 9/18/1988. Audio Cassette.

Carol Graham interview with Mary Richards to discuss her art (Side B.) Tape 60 label: Side A: Carole Graham (Renaissance Woman). 11/26/1987. Audio Cassette.

Interview with attendees of the Stop AIDS Project conference, a conference put together by the Stop AIDS Project to empower people amidst the AIDS crisis. Interviewees include outreach coordinators for the conference and attendees such as Jim Hicks, James Balcazar, and Justin Fabritius. Topics include AIDS, Stop AIDS Project, Stop AIDS Project Conference, AIDS education, AIDS stigma, and AIDS volunteer work. Tape 53: Side A: Stop AIDS Convention. November 1987. Audio Cassette.

Interviews with the cast of On Your Knees, a pornographic film about the Pope. They discuss their personal backgrounds, how they got involved in the film, and their experiences working on the film. Topics include film, theater, religion, porn, pornography, movies, David Stuart, AIDS, gay men, lesbians, women, gender, and AIDS crisis. Tape 104: Side B: David Stuart and Others. Pope Film. September 1987. Audio Cassette.

Audio recording of the 1988 International Ms. Leather Competition. Included is an interview with a judge of the competition and a speech from the first International Ms. Leather, Judy Tallwing McCarthey. Topics include gender, leather, International Ms. Leather Competition, and Lesbians. Tape 144 label: Side A: International Ms. Leather. 3/26/1988. Audio Cassette.

Mary Richards interviews an activist for trans issues to address peoples' fears of transgender people. They debunk the popular myth that transgender people are unnatural, and outline their viewpoint of the universe in response. They also discuss their relationship to shame and express their sympathy to others who have gone through similar hardships. Undated. Topics include transgender people, transgender employment, transgender activism. Tape 210. Side A: [Interview about Trans* Issues.] Audio Cassette.

Tape 175 label: "Side A: Peter Folwer [Fowler]. National Gay Task Force. B.A.R. 2/22/1987. 3 of 4. Side B: Peter Folwer. National Gay Task Force. B.A.R. 2/22/1987. 4 of 4"

Interview with Jay Noonan, manager of Grubstake, a burger restaurant on Pine Street. Included is also an interview with M.L. Warren, owner of QT, a bar of over 24 years on Polk Street. The end of the tape also features a brief recording of Victor Rodriguez's monthly party for People With AIDS.Topics include nightlife, gay nightlife, Polk Street, drug use, bar, police, restaurant, food, AIDS, AIDS social groups, People With AIDS, and music. Tape 140: Side A: Rod/Toms PWA Party. 5/20/1989. Audio Cassette.

Tape 179 label: "Gary D’Aldis [sic]-Paris I. February 1988." Topics: HIV/AIDS, Paris, France

Interview with Victor Rodriguez and Tom Ritzenthaler, who threw parties to help People With AIDS socialize over food. They talk about how they came up with the idea to throw parties for People With AIDS, the importance of food at their parties, and the socialization that arises from their parties. Topics include AIDS, AIDS social groups, People With AIDS, politics, AIDS funding, and food. Tape 105: Side A: Rod: PWA Party (1/2)/Tom: PWA (1/2). October 1987. Audio Cassette.

Interview with the Kokpit Bar owner. Topics: Imperial Court of San Francisco, Drag. (Side B.) Tape 162 label: Side A: Kokpit. Aunt Charlie’s. 11/1/1990. Audio Cassette.