Contents


Descriptive Summary

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

SCOPE AND CONTENT

Arrangement

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS Materials catalogued separately

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Ser.1 Journals

Ser.2 Correspondence

An Inventory of the Bruce Grimes and Geoffrey Kaiser Journal Collection

Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff

2012

Descriptive Summary

Title
Dates: 1971-1999
Abstract: Bruce Grimes and Geoffrey Kaiser are Quakers and were involved in Friends for Lesbian and Gay Concerns from its beginning in the early 1970s. The collection contains their manuscript and typescript journals entitled Gay Quakers in the Late Twentieth Century; it also includes personal correspondence and addenda.
Extent: .5 linear ft.
Language: All materials in English
Identification: RG5/284
Location: For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog
Location:

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

Bruce Grimes and Geoffrey D. Kaiser were members of Unami Meeting of Friends and married under its care in 1987. The couple moved to California after 2005. They have been involved in Friends for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (FLGC, now FLGBTQC). Bruce served as Editor of the FLGC Newsleter until 1995.

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SCOPE AND CONTENT

The collection contains personal journal volumes (1971-1999) as well as personal correspondence (1986, 1988-1989) and addenda (1977-2000). The former chronicle the life of Bruce Grimes, beginning with his move to San Francisco in 1971, and concluding with his departure from Friends for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (FLGC) in 1996. During this 25 year period, Bruce met Geoffrey Kaiser and the two collaborated on a second journal detailing their lives together, both as gay men and Friends. There are typescript and manuscript versions of both journals; the typescript includes further commentary written by Bruce after the fact, as well as more detailed personal anecdotes. Their association with Unami Meeting and the debates surrounding same-sex Friends and marriage are of particular interest in this collection.

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SELECTED SEARCH TERMS Materials catalogued separately

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Friends Historical Library (TRIPOD). Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings: Researchers are advised to search by subject and author, when applicable.

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Arrangement

Organized in five series:

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Ser.1 Journals


Box


1
Journals of Bruce Grimes and Geoffrey Kaiser: Gay Quakers in the Late Twentieth Century - Addenda 1972, 1977-2000 1 folder


[Manuscript] Journal of Geoff and Bruce Volumes One and Two 1971-1983 1 folder
Contains accounts similar to those found in the typescript versions, however, there are fewer personal anecdotes.


[Typescript] Journals of Bruce Grimes and Geoffrey Kaiser: Gay Quakers in the Late Twentieth Century Volume One – Journal of Bruce Grimes (1971-1975) 1971-1975 1 folder
Contains accounts of Bruce's life in San Francisco, his introduction to Quaker Meetings, as well as other personal anecdotes.


[Typescript] Journals of Bruce Grimes and Geoffrey Kaiser: Gay Quakers in the Last Quarter of the Twentieth Century Volume Two – Journal of Bruce Grimes, pg. 29-161 1972-1985, 1988, 1996-1999 1 folder
Contains accounts of Bruce's application of membership to Unami Meeting, Quaker conferences, the controversy surrounding the Gathering of Friends in Berea, KY (June 27-July 4, 1981), personal anecdotes, Quaker business proceedings, and additional commentary (1988, 1996-1999).


[Typescript] Journals of Bruce Grimes and Geoffrey Kaiser: Gay Quakers in the Last Quarter of the Twentieth Century Volume Two – Journal of Bruce Grimes, pg. 162-328 1985-1999 1 folder
Contains accounts of Bruce and Geoffrey's presentations on homosexuality at various meetings, the wedding of Bruce and Geoffrey under the care of Unami Monthly Meeting at Gwynedd Meetinghouse, personal anecdotes, Bruce's position as editor of FLGC newsletter, Geoffrey's Quaker history lectures, Quaker business proceedings, as well as additional commentary (1996-1999).

Ser.2 Correspondence


Box


1
Miscellaneous Correspondence 1986, 1988-1989 1 folder
Miscellaneous correspondence between Geoffrey or Bruce and others concerning a variety of topics.