Research Catalog

Stephen Donaldson papers

Title
Stephen Donaldson papers, 1965-1998.
Author
Donaldson, Stephen.
Supplementary Content
Finding Aid

Details

Additional Authors
  • Abzug, Bella S., 1920-1998.
  • Dynes, Wayne R.
  • Kameny, Frank, 1925-2011.
  • Koch, Ed, 1924-2013.
  • Visano, L. A.
Description
11 linear feet (24 boxes).
Summary
The Stephen Donaldson Papers document the varied career and turbulent personal history of the writer, editor and activist.
Subject
  • Donaldson, Stephen
  • Columbia University > Student strike, 1968
  • Columbia University > Students > Political activity
  • Student Homophile League
  • North American Conference of Homophile Organizations
  • Stop Prisoner Rape
  • Bisexual college students > United States
  • Bisexual men > United States
  • Bisexuality > Religious aspects
  • Bisexual people > United States
  • Gay activists
  • Gay and lesbian studies
  • Gay liberation movement
  • Gay men > United States
  • Gay men's writings, American
  • Gay rights
  • Gay people > United States
  • Gay military personnel
  • Gay people's writings, American
  • Male rape
  • Male rape victims > United States
  • Prisoners > Sexual behavior
  • Prisoners > United States > Correspondence
  • Prisoners as authors > United States
  • Prisoners' writings, American
  • Punk culture
  • Punk rock music > United States > History and criticism
Genre/Form
  • Audiotapes.
  • Correspondence.
  • Diaries.
  • Floppy disks.
  • Manuscripts.
  • Photoprints.
  • Typescripts.
Access (note)
  • Advance notice required.
Source (note)
  • Estate of Stephen Donaldson via Jones, Judith and Shur, Rick.
Biography (note)
  • Stephen Donaldson was a writer, editor and activist noted for his interest in gay and bisexual politics, the sexual victimization of male prison inmates, Indian religions and punk rock music.
Indexes/Finding Aids (note)
  • Unpublished finding aid available at repository and on the Internet.
Processing Action (note)
  • Cataloged.
Call Number
MssCol 824
OCLC
NYPW00-A136
Author
Donaldson, Stephen.
Title
Stephen Donaldson papers, 1965-1998.
Restricted Access
Advance notice required. Apply at http://www.nypl.org/mssref
Biography
Stephen Donaldson was a writer, editor and activist noted for his interest in gay and bisexual politics, the sexual victimization of male prison inmates, Indian religions and punk rock music.
Stephen Donaldson was born Robert A. Martin, Jr. on July 27, 1946. He attended Columbia University (B.A. 1970) where he founded the Student Homophile League and was active in the North American Conference of Homophile Organizations. During his undergraduate summers he worked as a reporter for the Associated Press and Virginia Pilot, and as an intern in the offices of two U.S. Congressmen. In 1970 Donaldson enlisted in the U.S. Navy, but was released by General Discharge two years later on grounds of suspected homosexual involvement. His unprecedented public campaign against the discharge failed, though he eventually won an upgrade to Honorable. From 1972-77 Donaldson was involved with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), and led the group's bisexual caucus. In 1973 he was arrested at a Quaker peace protest at the White House, and was sexually assaulted by inmates in the Washington D.C. jail. This experience led to his activism on the issue of male sexual victimization, most notably with the organization Stop Prisoner Rape. During the 1980s-90s Donaldson wrote (often under the pseudonym "Donny the Punk") for magazines and underground publications on such topics as punk rock, prison conditions, religion and sexuality. He was assistant editor of the Encyclopedia of Homosexuality (1990) and editor-in-chief of an unpublished revision of that work. Stephen Donaldson died in New York City of an AIDS-related illness on July 18, 1996.
Indexes
Unpublished finding aid available at repository and on the Internet.
Connect to:
Finding Aid
Occupation
Editors.
Added Author
Abzug, Bella S., 1920-1998.
Dynes, Wayne R.
Kameny, Frank, 1925-2011.
Koch, Ed, 1924-2013.
Visano, L. A.
Research Call Number
MssCol 824
View in Legacy Catalog