Records of Rainbow Alliance
Scope and Contents
The Records of Rainbow Alliance comprise 7 boxes and include event planning, financial, administrative, promotional, educational materials, and 218 megabytes of born-digital video. The files reflect all periods of the organization, from its inception as Gay Liberation, as GALA, BGALA, and to its current iteration as Rainbow Alliance. Most materials from the early years of the group (1970s) are photocopies of originals held elsewhere, except for the original financial ledger in Box 2, Folder 22. Other items of note include history on the Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Student Resource Center (now the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center), including a 1980 report of the NU Community Council on Gay and Lesbian Life at NU, in Box 4 Folder 19; files on actions and advocacy such as responses to harassment and homophobia on campus via NUCAB (Northwestern University Coalition Against Bashing); the group’s work with the Gay and Lesbian University Union (GLUU) advocating for domestic partnership benefits in the mid-1990s; and many flyers and planning documents for social and educational events.
Audiovisual materials include one DVD and 14 VHS cassettes. Many of these cassettes are commercial or demo tapes for potential campus performances or events.
Dates
- 1970-2012, undated
Creator
- Rainbow Alliance (Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.)) (Organization)
Language of Materials
Primarily English; some promotional and educational materials (Box 1, Folder 3) are in Spanish.
Conditions Governing Access
Box 3, Folder 19 is restricted; consultation with University Archivist required prior to use. This collection is stored off-site and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.
Extent
7 Boxes
218 Megabytes
Abstract
The Records of Rainbow Alliance comprise 7 boxes and include event planning, financial, administrative, promotional, educational files and materials, and 218 megabytes of born-digital video.
Arrangement
Materials arrived in folders in mostly alphabetical order, and the alphabetical arrangement has been solidified. Most folder titles have been retained, with supplied titles in brackets.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
All audiovisual material (VHS and DVD) within the collection must be viewed within the reading room during research appointments. All necessary hardware and software will be provided during the appointment to access these materials to the best of our abilities.
Requests for different access methods, such as those not using computers or with the aid of assistive technologies, must be made in advance of a research appointment to Library staff.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Available born-digital materials in this collection are delivered to researchers in born-digital formats. Requests for different access methods, such as those not using computers or with the aid of assistive technologies, must be made in advance of a research appointment to Library staff.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received May 31, 2014 (Accession #14-82) from Peter Cleary of Rainbow Alliance.
Separated Materials
1 linear inch of duplicates and 3 linear inches of extraneous materials, such as general University administrative or promotional materials, were discarded.
Social Security information in Folders 6-7 of Box 5 was redacted and the originals shredded.
- Asexual people
- Bisexual college students
- Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alliance (Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.))
- Gay and Lesbian Alliance (Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.))
- Gay college students
- Intersex people
- Lesbian college students
- Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.)--Students
- Rainbow Alliance (Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.))
- Transgender college students
- Title
- Guide to the Records of Rainbow Alliance
- Author
- Jill Waycie, Archival Processing Specialist
- Date
- October 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Repository Details
Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635
specialcollections@northwestern.edu