LG MS 030 Allen Bernstein Collection Finding Aid

Authors

Elizabeth Sistare

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2014

Keywords

Allen Bernstein, Alan Bernstein, Gay Rights, Gender Equality, AVER, American Veterans for Equal Rights, Spirituality, Outword Newsletter, Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network, Loving Brotherhood Newsletter, Gender Studies

Abstract

Description:

Allen Bernstein was born on June 19, 1913 in Nashua, New Hampshire. He holds a MA in Economics from the University of Chicago. Bernstein enlisted in the Army in 1940 and fought in WWII, doing clerical work in the U.S., until 1944 when he was dishonorably discharged for being openly gay. After the war he married a woman– who knew he was gay – and had two sons. He then moved to Maine to work for the Maine State Labor Department as a Labor market analyst. After retirement in 1978 he became involved in providing volunteer services to the community. He appealed his dishonorable discharge 14 times from the late1940’s to 1980, and in 1981 was finally successful in gaining his honorable discharge. He was active in his community in his later years – volunteering mainly for the Red Cross. The Collection is based on more recent articles on gay rights and gender equality. Dates range from 1984-2004, with the majority of material in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Publications include AVER (American Veterans for Equal Rights) newsletters, Gender Studies newsletters, The Loving Brotherhood newsletters and brochures, Outword newsletter and Edward Carpenter Community newsletters.

Date Range:

1984-2004

Size of Collection:

0.25 ft.

Comments

Provenance:

Materials in this collection were donated by Allen Bernstein in July 2001 from a larger gift to the general collection.

Ownership and Literary Rights:

The Allen Bernstein Collection is the physical property of the University of Southern Maine Libraries. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the creator or his/her legal heirs and assigns.

For further information, consult the Head of Special Collections, susie.bock@maine.edu.

Recommended Citation

Allen Bernstein Collection, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Collection, Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine, University of Southern Maine Libraries.