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"Doors to Open" a guide for young people including advice for LGBTQIA (Addition 37) 2024-0060, 1963

 File — Box: 10, Folder: 6

Scope and Contents

This addition to MSS 16758, The University of Virginia Collection on the History of Childhood, Parenting, and Family Building, contains a single pamphlet titled "Doors to Open" by Ellis Gladwin and Rama Braggiotti (illustrator) published by the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company. It is written as a guide for young people but specifically addresses men embarking on college life and advises on new life changes in the context of conservative social constructs of the mid-twentieth century. Sixth in a series of booklets that dealtwith the tensions of everyday life.

Each segment has a hypothetical person encountering specific issues like overcoming shyness and finding social niches. Towards the end of the booklet, a piece titled "Girl of My Dreams" is a thinly veiled reference to a young man questioning and discovering an LGBTQIA+ identity. The advice is negative and clarifies that the hypothetical person should stifle these questions and stick to a hetronormative lifestyle, stating " "George is very unhappy, [and] needs help to cope with these festering needs. Otherwise, he may settle for a dim life, arrested by a succession of psychosomatic illness."

Dates

  • Creation: 1963

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Extent

0.04 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

From the Collection: German

From the Collection: French

Repository Details

Part of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22904-4110 United States