Photographs, Herizon events, Natalie Barney Fund plays
Scope and Contents
Records of Herizon (Changing Herizons, Inc.), a lesbian social club active in Binghamton, New York from 1975 to 1991 with the purpose of providing a lesbian and women-centered social space for events, local and national activism on issues such as violence against women and gays and lesbians, and developing resources and community building for lesbians and women, as well as promoting arts and music events for and by lesbians and women. Records include correspondence, publications, meeting notes, advertising and promotional materials for special events, and research files, as well as some photographs and audiovisual materials.
The collection also includes the records of the Binghamton Women's Center, founded in 1973 and now known as the Center for Gender, Art, and Culture (CGAC). In its earliest iteration, the Women's Center was a multi-issue organization with a loose committee structure to address issues such as sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, abortion, divorce, lesbian rights, women's health, poverty, housing issues and more. Records include resource files, correspondence, publications, meeting notes, promotional materials, and various grant applications and financial reports. Many of the Center's projects are well documented.
Projects emanating from Women's Center committees included the Rape Crisis Center (later the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center and the Crime Victim Assistance Center); Lesbian Switchboard; Herizon, and others. A group of "concerned women not affiliated with any organization" issued a series of controversial educational flyers, including a broadside announcing a curfew for men in the City of Binghamton; a self-defense flyer distributed in bars; and a condom handout distributed before an Aerosmith concert.
S.P.A.C.E. ("The Space for Political and Cultural Expressions") was formed in 1989 as a way to collaborate with multiple local community groups which all shared a physical space to hold events and meetings. Records include policies and bylaws, promotional materials for events, meeting minutes, and more.
[Adapted in large part from Peg Johnston, "Feminist History in the Binghamton Area," 2018 - Box 12, Folder 1]
Dates
- Creation: 1968 - 2014
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1975 - 1991
Creator
- From the Collection: Changing Herizons, Inc. (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Boxes 6 and 7, containing membership and financial information, are currently closed to researchers. Please contact speccoll@binghamton.edu with any questions.
Extent
From the Collection: 10 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Binghamton University Libraries Special Collections Repository