Highlights from the Monterey County LGBTQ History Collection

Media

The LGBTQ community in Monterey County created different forms of media, including newspapers. magazines and newsletters, all of which are well represented in the collection. These various forms of media provided information about news of interest, support groups and other resources, queer friendly bars, clubs and other social organizations, supported in part by ads from gay and lesbian-friendly companies and services.

Community-based newspapers are good examples. The Paper, funded by the Monterey County AIDS Project (MCAP) gave voice to Monterey County’s LGBTQ community. In addition to local, national and international news, The Paper promoted events, including pride festivals and parades and included advertisements for local businesses, clubs and bars serving the LGBTQ community.

The Paper also provided space for community members to express opinions about issues of concern, and/or share information about the work of local organizations. The Paper also covered local conflicts within the community, including racism. One issue, for example, included a cover story discussing the experiences of LGBT community members of color and the limitations of local organizations to include and engage those communities.[1]

Issues of Manifesto, while produced in Santa Cruz County, are also available in the collection. Manifesto, billing itself as the “Gay Newspaper for Monterey Bay,” also covered news and events as well as sections for personal and classified ads, important avenues for many community members to find connections. Like The Paper, Manifesto also advertised community events and meetings. For instance, in February of 2000, Manifesto advertised a film and open forum facilitated by members of the UC Santa Cruz GLBT Network and Queers of Color (QoC).[2] Local organizations also were listed in Manifesto, including CSUMB’s student organization, All in the Family, for community members to obtain contact information. Because of Monterey County’s diverse population, Manifesto included sections in Spanish.

Another example of community produced media in the collection is organizational newsletters. One, Demeter, produced a newsletter/news magazine of the same name with sections focusing on art and music, community events, news, and opinion pieces. While not a lesbian specific organization or newsletter, many lesbian were involved and the contents of Demeter reflected gay and lesbian perspectives on many issues. Another example is the Peninsula Professional Network (or PPN). PPN newsletters provide a unique window onto how local LGBTQ professionals socialized, navigated issues of concern, connected with each other professionally, and supported local organizations like the Monterey County AIDS project through fundraisers and events. For example, PPN sponsored a Red and White Valentine Ball in 1995, with proceeds supporting local AIDS organizations. [3]

Image sources:

Pride Festival 98, The Paper, Vol 5, Number 1, May-June, 1998. , Monterey County LGBTQ History Collection, Archives and Special Collections, California State University Monterey Bay, https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/thepaper/20/.

Deborah Aguayo-Delgado, “Gay White Male…Not!” The Paper, Volume 1, Number 6, April-May 1995, Monterey County LGBTQ History Collection, Archives and Special Collections, California State University Monterey Bay, https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/thepaper/6/,

Flier for Red and White Ball, 1995. Peninsula Professional Network. Monterey County LGBTQ History Collection, Archives and Special Collections, California State University Monterey Bay.

References

[1] Deborah Aguayo-Delgado, “Gay White Male…Not!” The Paper, Volume 1, Number 6, April-May 1995, Monterey County LGBTQ History Collection, Archives and Special Collections, California State University Monterey Bay, https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/thepaper/6/,

[2] “Film and Forum,” Special Events, Manifesto, Volume 4. Number 4. February 2000. Monterey County LGBTQ History Collection, Archives and Special Collections, California State University Monterey Bay, https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/manifesto/10/.

[3] Flier for Red and White Ball, 1995. Peninsula Professional Network. Monterey County LGBTQ History Collection, Archives and Special Collections, California State University Monterey Bay.