In 1963, the members of the Social Service Department of the Greater Hartford
Council of Churches formed the Rehabilitation Committee which evolved into
the ad hoc Project "H" Committee. Its first task was to study the subject
of homosexualtiy. During this study period, the committee became aware
of the George W. Henry Foundation which was chartered in the state of New
York in 1947. It had been founded "to help those who by reason of sexual
deviation were in trouble with themselves." Dr. Albert Gross who was heading
this foundation was invited to Hartford to discuss his work. Out of that
meeting, the group became the Hartford Chapter of the George W. Henry Foundation
in 1965.
Since education was a major thrust of the Committees' work members were
involved in lecturing, counseling, in workshops, in panel discussions and
in organizing conferences and symposiums. A necessary step in this educational
process was the acquisition of books, pamphlets, articles, journals, and
other materials. This collection which came to CCSU spans the period from
the early 1960's through the 1980's. The collection provides a wealth of
historic information concerning all aspects of homosexuality and the gay
liberation movement through the Stonewall riots and beyond. A small budget
is being used to purchase current material.
With the retirement of the Reverend Canon Clinton Jones, officials of
Christ Church Cathedral decided they were unable to afford a counselor to
continue Reverened Jones' work. By the time of his retirement in the late
1980's, dozens of groups had come into existence to serve the needs of
the gay and lesbian community. For many years, the Committee on Sexual
Minorities and its predecessors was the only organization that people were
able to turn to for help.
Donations of books pamphlets, newsletters, periodicals, newspapers,
flyers and unpublished materials relating to gays and lesbians will be
gratefully accepted. Please contact Frank
Gagliardi at (860)832-2098 for more information.
About the George W. Henry Collection: