"Doors to Open" a guide for young people including advice for LGBTQIA (Addition 37) 2024-0060, 1963
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
Topical
Repository Details
Part of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library Repository
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22904-4110 United States