Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of issues (1993-2014) of GLAD Chat, a newsletter of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur (GLAD). GLAD served as a LGBTQ+ social and support group in Decatur, Illinois, from 1993-2020.
The Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur (GLAD) existed for twenty-seven years from February 1993 to February 2020. GLAD was founded as a way for members to meet for fellowship and support and was the first sustained LGBTQ+ organization in Decatur, Illinois. GLAD was also a group for members to speak about LGBTQ+ rights issues that were happening locally and globally. GLAD Chat, a monthly newsletter, was mailed to members from 1993 to 2017. In February 2020, the board voted to dissolve GLAD, as members felt as though the most pressing needs of the LGBTQ+ community were met or changed. Greg Gravemeir, the second co-chair of GLAD, helped to produce these newsletters.
This collection contains issues of newsletters mailed to GLAD members from 1993 to 2014. Newsletters discussed local GLAD events and news about the organization, as well as articles relating to LGBTQ+ issues, members' birthdays and anniversaries, book reviews, events happening in Illinois both in and outside of Decatur, and recipes. Also included in the collection is a group history written by GLAD historian John D. Poling, which documents the history and impact of the organization. This collection is missing some issues between 2000-2010 and issues printed after December 2014. Please note that the Local History Room at the Decatur Public Library holds the a larger collection of records for GLAD, including the GLAD Chat newsletters, as well as various clippings, correspondence, membership lists, and more.
This collection was donated to the Library in February 2022 by John Poling.
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