Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS-3691

Scope and Contents

The records of the Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition mainly consist of materials related to the activities of the organization, including correspondence, the monthly newsletter, and the National Lesbian Conference (1991). Other materials include publications from regional lesbian or women's groups, materials related to The University of Alabama's LGBTQ student group (under different names, but currently known as Spectrum), and advertisements for other regional events.

Dates

1986 - 2010

Conditions Governing Access

On-site access is restricted. Please see digital versions of materials here: https://digitalcollections.libraries.ua.edu/digital/collection/u0003_0003691. Please note that some digital versions information may be redacted for privacy.

Biographical / Historical

Founded by Rose Gladney and Marcia Winter in 1986, the Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition (TLC) began as a community-based production company dedicated to bringing popular lesbian artists and other lesbian cultural events to Tuscaloosa. Gladney and Winters felt inspired to create such a production company after attending the Southeast Women’s Music and Comedy Festival held in White County, Georgia, which connected them to the growing national movement. The first events held by the Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition included bringing "Out of Bounds: A Lesbian Journey," a "multi-image slideshow" by JEB (Joan E. Biren), and Immediate Family a play by Terry Baum and starring Iris Bloom. In addition to these more public events, members of TLC also met on the first and third Fridays as an informal social gathering and a forum to discuss lesbian concerns, respectively. By 1988, the Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition functioned less as a production company and more as a community organization with a steering committee and a newsletter. Through this transformation, TLC became involved with the Tuscaloosa Community Gay/Lesbian Organization, The University of Alabama LGBTQ student group under several different names—now known as Spectrum—and the planning of the National Lesbian Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1991. The Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition disbanded in 1996.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (Papers of the Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition plus one oversized banner)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

The Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition (TLC) began as a community-based production company dedicated to bringing popular lesbian artists and other lesbian cultural events to Tuscaloosa in 1986 by Rose Gladney and Marcia Winter. The collection mainly consists of materials related to the activities of the organization, including correspondence, the monthly newsletter, and the National Lesbian Conference (1991). Other materials include publications from regional lesbian or women's groups, materials related to The University of Alabama's LGBTQ student group (under different names, but currently known as Spectrum), and advertisements for other regional events such as the National Lesbian Conference (1991).

Arrangement

The materials have been arranged according to the original file titles from the donor, with materials created by the organization coming first and materials created by other organizations appearing closer to the end.