MenuInventory of the Lesbian Health Resource Center Records, 1987-2005
Abstract
Durham-based community organization that provided health advice and workshops for lesbians. Successor to the North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project, founded in 1982. The LHRC opened in 1996.
Collection includes administrative materials, grant and funding applications, volunteer orientation agendas, and a resource library maintained by the LHRC during the 1990s. Topics include mental and physical health for lesbians, in particular HIV/AIDS prevention, breast cancer prevention and screenings, and safe sex practices. Also includes materials about the LHRC's plans for a Lesbian Health Clinic in North Carolina, its ongoing relationships with other community organizations, and workshop materials on feminism, health, and leadership. Membership and participation lists are closed until 2030. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Lesbian Health Resource Center
- Title
- Lesbian Health Resource Center Records, 1987-2005
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 4.5 Linear Feet, 3375 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
The records of the LHRC are in many was a continuation of the records from the North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project, also held by the Bingham Center. Early materials frequently reference or were created by NCLGHP members, and there are also overlapping interests with some resources for gay men, despite the fact that the majority of the materials are targeted towards the lesbian community and their activities in the Triangle.
The grant materials and other financial files that make up the first series include applications, correspondence, and general information about the budget of the LHRC and the grants that it sought for programs and operations. Also included in this series are materials from the 501(c)3 application, as well as some correspondence from the IRS regarding the organization's tax status.
The LHRC's Lesbian Health Clinic files detail the planning and fundraising by the organization in preparation for opening the LHC. This series includes correspondence, steering committee minutes, handouts from different fundraising and awareness events, and other notes and research about healthcare and the operation of a health clinic.
The collection's subject files are largely drawn from the LHRC Resource Library, which was maintained by the LHRC for use by its members. Topics include healthcare, particularly women's health and lesbian health; cancer, especially breast cancer; AIDS and the spread of HIV; safe sex; domestic violence; parenting; homophobia, especially within the medical community; and other topics like health reading materials or other resources.
Some of the LHRC's activities and events are documented in the fourth series, including information and planning materials from the NCGLHP's participation in the Breast Cancer Leadership Summit and subsequent breast cancer awareness events in the early 1990s. Other activities represented include North Carolina Pride Days, breastcasting, a lesbian sex group, and general healthcare workshops.
Finally, the administrative files relate to the running of the LHRC, including everything from document masters for letterhead and logos to the volunteer orientation materials from orientations as late as 2005. Also includes some information from partner organizations, including the Mautner Project, Lesbian Avengers, and local community organizations including Triange Community Works. Related to this series is the Oversize Materials series, which consists of two document masters for posters promoting awareness about breast cancer and AIDS in the lesbian community.
The Restricted series is actually just one box of material, mainly membership and participation lists, which is closed until 2030.
Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is restricted. Membership and participation lists are closed until 2030.
In addition, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllGrant applications, internal financial files, and copies of the LHRC's 501(c)3 application to the IRS.
Notes, correspondence, flyers, resources, and research regarding the LHRC's efforts to open a Lesbian Health Clinic serving Triange (NC) women. Includes information about other successful clinics, common health problems and concerns faced by lesbian patients, and internal correspondence regarding their efforts to raise funds.
Subject Files
Most of these materials appear to have been part of the LHRC's Resource Library.
Center activities and events, 1993-2000
Includes materials on LHRC events and other community events attended or supported by LHRC members, including the North Carolina summit on breast cancer in 1994 and the North Carolina Gay Pride events from the late 1990s.
Administrative files, 1994-2005
Office materials, resources, and volunteer orientation files from the operation of LHRC. Includes master documents of forms and worksheets; program information for the various orientations and meetings; materials from other community organizations such as the Mautner Project, GLSEN, APPLES, and Triangle Community Works!; and other miscellaneous materials.
Collection's electronic media, consisting of 3.5" floppy disks, has been removed to Duke's Electronic Records server. contact the Rubenstein Library if you are interested in accessing this material.
Oversize Materials
Nine posters of varying sizes.
"As many as 1 in 3 lesbians may be diagnosed with breast cancer. For more information, call: North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project..."
"Our sons, our daughters, our sisters, our brothers, our parents, our lovers are dying. For more information call: North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project..."
"In matters of the heart, nothing is true except the improbable. -Madame de Stäel"
Stiff, felt poster featuring Lesbian Health Center name and logo.
"I will choose what enters me, what becomes flesh of my flesh... -Marge Piercy" with Roxanna Bikadoroff drawing.
"Celebrate community. Honor diversity. Communities teach tolerance, co-existence and mutual respect... -Karen Kerney and Scott Russell Sanders."
"Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living. -Mother Jones (1830-1930) Historically, the United States Government has maintained a greater commitment to absurd and excessive military spending..."
"As many as 1 in 3 lesbians may be diagnosed with breast cancer. For more information, call: North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project..." Duplicate
RESTRICTED Materials
Membership lists and other participation information is closed until 2030.
CLOSED: Material closed to use until 2030.
Historical Note
The LHRC was a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 to provide educational workshops and resource materials on all health issues for women who partner with women. It was the successor organization to the North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project, whose records the Sallie Bingham Center also holds. The NCLGHP was founded in 1982 to combat homophobia in existing health care institutions, and to provide gay men and lesbians the means to assume control over their own health care.
Subject Headings
- Lesbian Health Resource Center.
- North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project.
- Lesbians--Mental health.
- Lesbians--Health and hygiene.
- Sexually transmitted diseases.
- Sex instruction for lesbians.
- Lesbian mothers.
- Lesbian partner abuse.
- Breast--Cancer--Lesbians.
- Breast--Cancer--Prevention.
- AIDS (Disease)--Medical care.
- AIDS (Disease)--Prevention.
- Lesbians--North Carolina--Durham.
- Durham (N.C.)--Social conditions.
- Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Related Material
The LHRC was the successor to the North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project, whose records are also held by the Bingham Center.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Lesbian Health Resource Center Records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Provenance
The Lesbian Health Resource Center Records were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in 2010 and 2011.
Processing Information
Processed by Meghan Lyon, January 2011
Encoded by Meghan Lyon, January 2011
Additions processed and encoded by Carrie Mills, July 2011
This collection is minimally processed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.