Lawrence (Larry) Bliss is a former Democratic Maine state Representative and Senator, and LGBT rights activist. Bliss was born December 29, 1946 in California. He earned his Bachelor’s Degrees in History and Political Science as well as a Master’s Degree in Urban Public Administration, all from the University of California. Bliss worked as a middle school and high school teacher and coach before becoming Director of Career Services and Professional Life Development at the University of Southern Maine.

The Collection contains materials related to Bliss’s work in support of the LGBT community in Maine. In particular, there are materials related to events and organizations with which he was involved, including the Maine Lesbian and Gay Men’s Symposium (materials for the years 1976-77, 1979-81, 1983-88, and 1991); Equal Protection Portland; South Portland Citizens for Justice; the Matlovich Society; Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance; Citizens for a United Portland; and the Spring for Life Art Auction. Materials include press clippings, correspondence, financial records, internal memos and meeting minutes, brochures, posters, event programs, stickers, buttons, VHS cassette tapes, t-shirts, a mug, and other papers. There are also some materials related to efforts to secure same sex partner benefits for University of Maine employees and LD 246 and LD 1046.

For more information please consult the collection's finding aid.

Digitization is ongoing and items will be added here as they are finished.

Currently digitized items

Series 1.1, Events, Maine Lesbian and Gay Men's Symposia

Digitized material contains symposium programs