Special Collection #0004:
The Walter J. Lear Papers
1987-1988, 4 linear inches

This collection contains a portion of Walter J. Lear, M.D.'s personal papers regarding his gay activism.  Lear has been active in progressive health issues since the 1940s, the peace movement since the 1950s, civil rights groups since the early 1960s, and gay community services since 1975.

The present material documents Lear's appointment to the National Lesbian/Gay Advisory Committee to the Lavender Stripe of Jesse Jackson's 1988 presidential campaign.  Materials include "Gays and Lesbians for Jackson" buttons, a banner, notes, correspondence, flyers for events, campaign brochures and other documents.

Born in 1923, Lear received his Bachelor of Science degree from Harvard College in 1943 and his M.D. from the Long Island College of Medicine in 1946.  In 1948, he received his M.S. in Hospital Administration from the Columbia University School of Public Health.  In 1975, while serving as Pennsylvania's Southeast Regional Commissioner for Health Services, Lear came out publicly as a gay man.  That year, he became involved in campaigns to promote a proposed Philadelphia law banning discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation.  He remained active in that fight until City Council's passage of the Gay Rights Bill in 1982.  He has co-founded, co-chaired, served on the Board of Directors or played another key leadership role in dozens of national and local lesbian and gay, medical, peace/anti-war and socialist-left organizations.  Lear also has actively supported progressive political issues from official positions within government agencies and commissions.

He donated these items to the Library/Archives in 1992. Access is unrestricted.

PHOTO:  Dr. Walter Lear, circa 1975.  Detail of a photo © Harry R. Eberlin, used by permission.