Brian O’Dell Papers
Provenance
These files were donated by Brian O’Dell on March 3, 2009.
Scope and Content
Brian O’Dell is a Gay man living in the NYC area, and was active in several New York Gay organizations, two of which (Gay Male S/M Activists and Bear Cafe) he was a founding member of. These are his personal files from that work, which include notes, correspondence, organizational material, flyers and other printed matter, and photos.
Gay Male S/M Activists (GMSMA) was a political, educational, and social orgnization for Gay men into sadomasochism. Heritage of Pride (HoP) (formerly Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee, or CSLDC) organizes the annual Gay Pride March, Rally, and Dance in New York City, and is still active. Bear Cafe was a social orgnization for Gay men who identified as bears (large and hairy).
See also Collection #86, Heritage of Pride Records.
History or Bio
Brian O’Dell, born February 4, 1957, grew up and currently resides in New Jersey. He studied Merchandising and Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Rutgers University. He has worked as an Operations Manager and Designer for fashion jewelry companies.
He held the positions of Co-Coordinator (Chief Executive Officer), Media Director, and Pridefest Director for Heritage of Pride, and Director of Programs and Public Relations for Bear Cafe.
Folder List
Box 1
1. GMSMA – 1987 March on Washington S/M Leather Contingent & Conference
2. GMSMA – Agendas – 1981-1993
3. GMSMA – Articles & essays – 1981-1993
4. GMSMA – Brochures & flyers – 1981-1993
5. GMSMA – Committee reports – 1981-1993
6. GMSMA – Leather Pride Night – 1981-1993
7. GMSMA – Memos & correspondence – 1981-1993
8. GMSMA – Newsletters – 1981-1993
9. GMSMA – Organizational – 1981-1993
10. GMSMA – Program notes & handouts – 1981-1993
11. GMSMA – Program schedules – 1981-1993
12. GMSMA – Public Relations Committee – 1981-1993
13. GMSMA – Special events – 1981-1993
14. GMSMA – Tenth Anniversary – 1991
15. Heritage of Pride – Executive Board agendas, minutes, reports, correspondence – 1997
16. Heritage of Pride – International Association of Lesbian and Gay Pride Coordinatoirs – 1997
17. Heritage of Pride – Media Committee agendas, minutes, reports, correspondence – 1993-1997
18. Heritage of Pride – Notes and correspondence – 1997 (folder 1 of 2)
19. Heritage of Pride – Notes and correspondence – 1997 (folder 2 of 2)
20. Heritage of Pride – Press releases – 1996-1997
21. Heritage of Pride – Pride Guide memos and notes – 1995-1997
22. Bear Cafe – Agendas – 2003-2006
23. Bear Cafe – Artists and performers
24. Bear Cafe – Background, bylaws – 2003-2004
25. Bear Cafe – Bake-off
26. Bear Cafe – Bear County Fair
27. Bear Cafe – Brochures & flyers
28. Bear Cafe – Events – 2003-2007
29. Bear Cafe – Executive Board & committee reports
30. Bear Cafe – Finances
31. Bear Cafe – Fundraising, external
32. Bear Cafe – Fundraising, internal – 2004-2008
33. Bear Cafe – Membership – 2003-2007
34. Bear Cafe – Minutes – 2003-2006
35. Bear Cafe – Miscellaneous – 2001-2008
36. Bear Cafe – Outreach – 2006-2007
37. Bear Cafe – Photographs
38. Bear Cafe – President, speech scripts – 2004-2008
39. Bear Cafe – Set-up & hospitality
40. Bear Cafe – Paid door admission rubber stamp