00012.xml JOAN DRESSEN: An Inventory of the Dressen Family Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society Finding aid prepared by David B. Peterson. Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul MN.

Manuscripts Collection

 Finding aid encoded by Dennis Meissner, November 8, 2004. Finding aid written inEnglish August 2008 Converted from EAD Version 1.0 to Version 2002 by Monica Manny Ralston, Daniel Sher, and Joyce Chapman. OVERVIEW Minnesota Historical Society Dressen, Joan, 1934-. Joan Dressen and family papers. 1981-2000. Correspondence, news clippings, and other material collected by Joan and Roger Dressen of Hopkins, Minnesota, documenting their involvement in organizations for the parents and families of gay and lesbian people. 0.25 cu. ft. (1 box). See Detailed Description section for shelf location. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Joan and Roger Dressen lived in Excelsior, then in Hopkins, Minnesota. They raised three children: daughters Jennifer and Lori, and son Roger Jr. After their son revealed his sexual orientation in 1981, the Dressens joined gay rights causes, including the St. Paul/Minneapolis chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). PFLAG described itself as a support, education, and advocacy organization promoting dialogue and understanding about gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and their families.

SCOPE AND CONTENTS

The collection consists of correspondence, news clippings, photocopies of newsletters, issue papers, statements and news releases, organizational bylaws, parent testimonials, and other miscellaneous material concerned almost exclusively with gay rights issues, especially with the fight to end discrimination against gays and lesbians, and with their involvement in PFLAG and other organizations and support groups for the families of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. Correspondents include Joan Dressen, politicians and office holders, parents of other gay and lesbian people, elected officials, supreme court justices, church leaders, and PFLAG officials and similar organizations.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Joan Dressen and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 15,805

Processing Information:

Processed by: David B. Peterson, April 2004

Catalog ID number: 002896909

 CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: Coming out (Sexual orientation). Gay rights. Gays--Minnesota. Homosexuality. Lesbians--Minnesota. Parents of gays. Self-help groups. Persons: Dorn, Bill. Dressen, Roger, 1931. Dressen, Roger, 1961. Urbanski, Donna, 1935-. Urbanski, Roger, 1934-. Organizations: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. St. Paul/Minneapolis Chapter. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Parents & Friends of Gays. Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 142.G.14.4F-1 1 Clippings, 1988-1996. Dressen, Joan: Correspondence, undated and 1984-2000. Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Washington, D.C.), 1989-1992. Parents FLAG of Minnesota: Newsletter, 1984-1987.

This organization was apparently called "Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Inc." through October 1985, after which time it became an independent organization called "Parents FLAG of Minnesota."

P-FLAG Minnesota, undated and 1987-1997. PFLAG (Washington, D.C.), undated and 1991-1997. PFLAG St. Paul/Minneapolis, 1996. Weitzman, Marcia, Ph.D.: Homosexuality as Viewed from Five Perspectives, 1981. Miscellany, undated.