"Dear funny blond[e] kid"

I just finished processing the Eric Garber papers (1996-20) and have to say that I was quite charmed by him. Garber was an activist, writer and historian. He was one of the founding members of the San Francisco Lesbian & Gay History Project and a founder of the Historical Society. His interests were broad, ranging from LGBT people in the Harlem Renaissance to alternative sexualities in science fiction, fantasy and horror literature, and his expertise in those subjects was nationally recognized. His better known works include T’Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness: Homosexuality in Harlem in the 1920s; the annotated bibliography, Uranian Worlds: A Reader’s Guide to Alternative Sexuality in Science Fiction and Fantasy, which he edited with Lyn Paleo; and Swords of the Rainbow, an anthology he edited with Jewelle Gomez.

Garber corresponded with a who’s who of writers and historians interested in LGBT life and letters, and his papers document the growing interest in and growth of the fields of LGBT history and literatary studies. The collection includes personal and professional correspondence, writings, his very thorough biographical and subject research files, materials from the History Project and Historical Society and its members, personalia and photographs. Garber’s BAR obituary notes that he was “passionately commited to gay liberation and ending all forms of oppression.” His collection reveals that he was a dedicated activist and scholar with many good friends who seemed to enjoy life and have a lot of fun.

High School?

Garber is seated on the far left, undated

[letter from a college boyfriend?], undated

Letter from Garber’s “Husband of his Heart,” Jeff Sunshine, 1979

Garber and friend [Lyn Paelo?], must be the 1970s

Garber and friends, undated

A change of address card from Jono Weiss: “I lived on Haight St. for ten years”

“And then I moved…I still believe in Peace and Love.”

A [mimeographed] poll from 7th period sociology class — high school years?

Commenting on the “Castro Clone,” late 1970s. Thanks to Randy Alfred for pointing out this was a Red Queen leaflet by Arthur Evans from 1978.

The “Award Winning” PS Restaurant/Cocktail Lounge on Polk St., is “Home of America’s most beautiful people who serve you in subdued and exquisite atmosphere…” undated

I just love that there used to be a store called the Typewritorium

Writer and artist Richard Bruce Nugent, Eric Garber and a friend/colleague, 1980s. Garber’s papers contain his correspondence with Nugent.

Eric Garber

A 30th birthday party invitation from John Juarez, 1986

Garber shared an apartment with Cleve Jones. They seem to have had a lot of parties–here’s an invitation from 1978

I