Student Organizations. Gay Straight Student Alliance Records
RG8.22
Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives
English
3.64
Linear Feet
2 document boxes, 1 record carton, 1 oversize box
1998
2012
1998-2012, undated
The Gay Straight Student Alliance (GSSA) was an advocacy group on campus, founded as the Gay and Lesbian Association (GALA) in 1990. This collection contains materials documenting GSSA's work and community members. Materials include a petition and newspaper clippings regarding Wake Forest's decision to ban same-sex unions on campus, a timeline displayed by the LGBTQ Center about the GSSA, news clippings, plaques, photographs, brochures, programs, and artifacts.
Historical Note
Wake Forest's Gay Straight Student Alliance (GSSA) was founded as Gay and Lesbian Association (GALA) on December 3, 1990. GSSA focused on advocacy and education, as well as creating a space for LGBTQ students on campus. In 1999, members from student groups including GSSA, Black Student Alliance, and Jewish Student Organization created a temporary advocacy group called Student Association for Equality (SAFE) to protest the University's decision to ban same-sex unions in Wait Chapel.
Collection Overview
This collection contains materials documenting GSSA's work and community members. Materials include a petition and newspaper clippings regarding Wake Forest's decision to ban same-sex unions on campus, a timeline displayed by the LGBTQ Center about the GSSA, news clippings, plaques, photographs, brochures, programs, and artifacts.
Preferred Citation
Student Organizations. Gay Straight Student Alliance Records (RG8.22), Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for use.
Copyright Notice
The nature of the WFU Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of ZSR Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Related Materials
Related collections in ZSR Special Collections and Archives include:
- Office of the Provost. LGBTQ Center Records (RG22.3)
AIDS memorial quilt event promotional poster200232AIDS memorial quilt guest book200227AIDS Care Service, Inc. service award to GSSA plaqueundated43Event fliers200520112005, 201128<part>The Front Page Directory: A Business Directory for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community</part>199818Gay and Lesbian Support Group flier20122012circa 201215GSSA Presidential Award plaque2003201045"How to Make a Panel" brochure2006110Johnson, Michelle. "Report on harassment leads to liaison officer, campus space," <part>Winston-Salem Journal</part> article200129Lounge and event photographs20022004circa 2002-2004210Perry L. Patterson Award plaque1998201041Photographs19902001circa 1990-200116Same-sex union in Wait Chapel controvery clippings, <part>Winston-Salem Journal</part>199919"A Service of Covenant: Celebrating the Union of Wendy Scott and Susan Parker" program200017Student Association for Equality clippings1999111Student Association for Equality petition1999112"That's Mr. Faggot to You" t-shirtundated42Timeline: Alumni quotescirca 20122611Timeline: Backlash to the GSSA20122012circa 201213Timeline: Campus activism20122012circa 201225Timeline: Chris Cooper materialscirca 201221Timeline: First Winston-Salem Pride Parade20122012circa 201212Timeline: Images20122012circa 201214Timeline: Martin Price materials20122012circa 201222Timeline: Same-sex union in Wait Chapelcirca 201223-4Anti-Westboro Baptist Church petition from <part>Old Gold and Black</part>, sponsored by GSSA1998 October33Wil Hawk, GSSA founder, celebrating with Perry Patterson plaque2001 October44