He is the editor of Gay American History (1976), the Gay/Lesbian Almanac (1994), and The Invention of Heterosexuality (1995). The papers relating to Henry Gerber, who was a founder of the Chicago Society for Human Rights, consist of photocopies of Gerber's correspondence (1940-57) mainly to Manuel Boyfrank, and of photocopies of his writings on homosexuality some of which were published (1934) in Chanticleer. There are several separate alphabetical runs which reflect materials donated to the library at different times. Twenty-seven of the films are unidentified.
His grandfather on his mother's side, Abraham Brownstone, had emigrated to Canada in 1888 at age fifteen from his native Bessarabia (Russia). The writings consist of typescript drafts with corrections and emendations and with a few page proofs and galleys of Mr. Katz's historical documentaries: Following the typescripts of each work are topical files of collateral papers including correspondence (with publishers and others), permissions, promotion and publicity materials, copies of published reviews, and other miscellany. In addition to his major publications Katz has contributed papers at conferences and published articles, reviews and essays on the subject of homosexuality, heterosexuality, and gay and lesbian issues. Some files contain handwritten notes, drafts of articles, correspondence with scholars, historians, librarians, and archivists. Paperback. In 1975 he was general editor of the Arno Press-New York Times reprint series on homosexuality. The papers relating to Harry Hay consist of a typed typescript copy of an interview conducted by Katz on March 31, 1974 [an audiotape of this interview can be found in the Sound Recordings seres]; and miscellaneous documents (some original) with accompanying annotations by Hay relating to the Mattachine Society of California and to Hay's personal career as a gay activist. He has also been guest lecturer on gay American history at several colleges and universities including Yale, Princeton, and the University of Chicago, and has taught courses on the gay and lesbian history at New York University and at the New School for Social Research (1991). Taking up the cause he became a founding member of the Gay Academic Union and with the publication in rapid succession of three books of historical documentation and analysis, he brought to the issue of gay and lesbian rights an historical depth, perspective, and understanding which had heretofore been lacking.
The Jonathan Ned Katz Papers reflect his life and career as an author, historian, teacher, gay rights advocate and textile designer. Processed by John D. Stinson; revised by Leslie Reyman.
About 40% of the papers consist of typescript drafts (with collateral papers) of Katz's published books; and miscellaneous essays, lectures, reviews and other writings.
There is a separate file of unsorted press and magazine clippings; and three oversized posters relating to the homophile movement in Toronto. Mr. Katz's first donation to the the library was in 1993. Jonathan Ned Katz is best known in the gay community as a historian and the author of four pioneering books on sexual history. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.
Jonathan Ned Katz (1938 - ), author, playwright, historian, teacher, gay rights advocate, and textile designer, was born in New York City, the son of Bernard Katz (1902-1970), an advertising executive, and Phyllis Brownstone Katz, a magazine editor.
The Jonathan Ned Katz Papers reflect his life and career as an author, historian, teacher, gay rights advocate and textile designer. The papers relating to Jim Kepner consist of photocopies of Kepner's letters (1943-44) to Wally Jordan. This series consists of a topical file of miscellaneous papers relating to Katz's personal life and career. A Documentary Play About Gay Life and Liberation (Arno Press, 1975), Gay American History: Lesbians and Gay Men in the U.S.A. (T. Y. Crowell, 1976), and Gay/Lesbian Almanac: A New Documentary (Harper & Row, 1983) also established his reputation as one of America's leading authorities on homosexuality and on gay and lesbian history. The grant files document Mr. Katz's requests for financial aid from philanthropic and other institutions to support the research and writing of his historical documentaries including his book on gay and lesbian history; a proposed documentary play based upon the life and writings of Walt Whitman; a book on the political economy of sex; a study of the history and origins of the state sodomy laws; and a book-length version of his article "The Invention of Heterosexuality" (Socialist Review, Feb. 1990).