Primary Source Set: LGBTQ+ History in Newark
This guide links to a small number of items from our collections to get you started on research. To see many more items view the digital collection. You can also e-mail us or view our website for more information on non-digitized collections. Content note: some of the primary sources quoted may include offensive racist or homophobic language.
Research is still being done into the history of LGBTQ+ Groups in Newark most notably by the Queer Newark Oral History Project (see their timeline here). However, we do have some items in our collections that explore the LGBTQ+ community. Murphy’s Tavern was a center of the community in early years (Document A) and later Club Zanzibar, run by Al Murphy (Document C, D). Queer Newark has explored LGBTQ figures in Newark’s history including Derek Winans (Documents B and K), Hilda Hidalgo (Documents F, H and I) and Frank Hutchins (Document J). Rutgers also had LGBTQ groups (Document E). Sakia Gunn’s death in 2003 was a watershed moment in Newark’s LGBTQ+ history which spawned many protests as well as national press coverage (Document L).
 A. Mulberry St looking directly S from Market [Murphy’s Tavern], 1961 |
B. Letter on honoring Derek Winans, 1964 |
 C. Music industry group, with Al Murphy, c. 1970s View Online | Download |
 D. Coming Soon!! The 2nd Anniversary of Zanzibar!, Flier, 1981 |
 E. Lesbians and Gays of Rutgers Newark, 1985 (Flier) |
 F. Dr. Hilda Hidalgo Interviewed by Griselda Cueto, 1987 |
 G. By Laws, Newark Community Project for People with Aids, 1989 |
 H. Newark Community Project for People With AIDS Proposal, 1990 |
 I. The New Right is the Old Wrong // NOW – NJ – Lesbian Rights Task Force Button, Hilda Hidalgo Papers |
 J. Robert Curvin Interview: Frank Hutchins, Oral History, undated |
 K. Photo: Derek Winans, undated |
 L. News Article (Sakia Gunn), Star Ledger, May 13, 2003 |
