Ruth Baetz papers, 1976-1999

Ruth Baetz began dating women in college and was closeted from her family until 1976. In that year, her mother rejected Baetz in a series of letters after she came out and began interviewing women for Lesbian Crossroads. At the time, people could be fired and lose their housing, friends, parents, and custody of their children for being a lesbian. Half of the women interviewed for Baetz's book requested anonymity and some published under pseudonyms. Her book was unusual at the time as it explored the experiences of women of different races, ethnicities, physical abilities, ages, classes, and life circumstances. Baetz earned a Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington and provided counseling services to lesbians at the Seattle Counseling Services for Sexual Minorities and at Family Services. She lives in Seattle with her wife.