Johnny Townsend papers, 1977-2023
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Townsend, Johnny
- Title
- Johnny Townsend papers
- Dates
- 1977-2023 (inclusive)19772023
- Quantity
- 13 linear feet, (28 boxes)
- Collection Number
- ACCN 2677
- Summary
- The Johnny Townsend papers (1977-2023) contain the daily journals of Johnny Townsend (b. 1961), an ex-LDS Church member, writer and advocate for the rights of the gay community. The journals highlight Townsend's struggle to reconcile his religious upbringing with his emerging sense of homosexual identity. The collection also contains personal records including, but not limited to, school transcripts and standardized test scores, and email correspondence (2006-2014). Furthermore, the Townsend papers include various manuscripts including a thesis and short stories.
- Repository
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University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860
Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu - Access Restrictions
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Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
Johnny Townsend (b. 1961) was born and raised in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. After serving an LDS mission in Italy, he returned to Louisiana to attend the University of New Orleans. He later went on to earn an MFA from Louisiana State University. A prolific writer, his essays have appeared in numerous renowned publications and he has written and self-published several books about the experiences of gay Latter-day Saints. He currently resides with his partner in Seattle, Washington.
Content Description
The Johnny Townsend papers (1977-2023) contain the daily journals, emails, and records of Johnny Townsend (b. 1961), an ex-LDS Church member, writer and advocate for the rights of the gay community.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Preferred Citation
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Johnny Townsend in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Processing Note
Processed by Matthew Weathered in 2013.
Addendum processed by Kevin Priest in 2014.
Addendum processed by Sean Taylor in 2015.
Addendum processed by Kevin Priest in 2016.
Addenda from 2017-2023 processed by Kristina Barksdale in 2024.
Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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1: Correspondence and Personal Materials
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Description: "Early Life"Dates: 1979Container: Box 1, Folder 1
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Description: "Young Latter-Day Saint"Dates: 1977-1978Container: Box 1, Folder 2
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Description: "In My Youth"Dates: 1978Container: Box 1, Folder 3
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Description: "Senior Year"Dates: 1978Container: Box 1, Folder 4
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Description: "High School Graduation"Dates: 1979Container: Box 1, Folder 5
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Description: "New Experiences"Dates: 1979Container: Box 1, Folder 6
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Description: "Freshman Year at College"Dates: 1979-1980Container: Box 1, Folder 7
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Description: JournalDates: 1980Container: Box 1, Folder 8
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Description: "The New Missionary"Dates: 1980Container: Box 2, Folder 1
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Description: "Quartu Sant'Elena"Dates: 1980-1981Container: Box 2, Folder 2
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Description: "Renaissance"Dates: 1981Container: Box 2, Folder 3
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Description: "Hard and Confusing Times"Dates: 1981Container: Box 2, Folder 4
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Description: JournalDates: 1981-1982Container: Box 2, Folder 5
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Description: JournalDates: 1982-1983Container: Box 2, Folder 6
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Description: JournalsDates: 1983-1986Container: Box 3, Folder 1-5
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Description: JournalsDates: 1986-1988Container: Box 4, Folder 1-5
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Description: JournalsDates: 1988-1990Container: Box 5, Folder 1-5
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Description: JournalsDates: 1990-1993Container: Box 6, Folder 1-5
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Description: JournalsDates: 1993-1997Container: Box 7, Folder 1-5
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Description: JournalsDates: 1997-2000Container: Box 8, Folder 1-5
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Description: JournalsDates: 2000-2006Container: Box 9, Folder 1-5
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Description: JournalsDates: 2006-2007Container: Box 10, Folder 1-2
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Description: RecordsDates: 1939-2000Container: Box 11, Folder 1
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Description: Baby BookDates: 1960sContainer: Box 11, Folder 2
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Description: JournalsDates: 2007-2008Container: Box 11, Folder 3
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Description: JournalsDates: 2008-2013Container: Box 11, Folder 4
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Description: EmailsDates: 2006-2007Container: Box 11, Folder 5
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Description: EmailsDates: 2010-2012Container: Box 12, Folder 1
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Description: EmailsDates: 2012Container: Box 12, Folder 2
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Description: EmailsDates: 2013Container: Box 12, Folder 3
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Description: EmailsDates: 2014Container: Box 13, Folder 1-2
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Description: EmailsDates: 2014Container: Box 18, Folder 1
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Description: EmailsDates: 2015Container: Box 18, Folder 2-4
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Description: EmailsDates: 2016Container: Box 18, Folder 5-6
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Description: EmailsDates: 2016-2017Container: Box 20, Folder 3-4
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Description: Journals and Correspondence 2016Container: Box 16, Folder 3-4
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Description: Photocopied journal entriesContainer: Box 16, Folder 8
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Description: JournalDates: 2013-2016Container: Box 19, Folder 1
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Description: Letters received while teaching at SUNODates: 1995Container: Box 19, Folder 3
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Description: CorrespondenceContainer: Box 19, Folder 4
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Description: Correspondence and diary entriesDates: 2017-2018Container: Box 20, Folder 6
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Description: Correspondence and printed diary entriesDates: 2018-2019Container: Box 21, Folder 3
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Description: Correspondence and printed diary entriesDates: 2019-2020Container: Box 21, Folder 5
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Description: Correspondence and printed diary entriesDates: 2018Container: Box 22, Folder 1
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Description: Correspondence and printed diary entriesDates: 2018Container: Box 22, Folder 2
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Description: Printed diary entriesDates: 2019-2021Container: Box 22, Folder 3
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Description: Printed diary entriesDates: 2019-2021Container: Box 22, Folder 4
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Description: "Resisting Fascist Drama" newsletter, birthday cards, and diary entriesDates: 2020Container: Box 22, Folder 5
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Description: Printed diary entriesDates: 2021Container: Box 24, Folder 1
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Description: Printed diary entries, May-AugustDates: 2022Container: Box 24, Folder 2
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Description: Correspondence and Democratic Socialists of America membership cardDates: 2012Container: Box 25, Folder 2
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Description: Correspondence, diary entries, and writing excerptsDates: 2022-2023Container: Box 25, Folder 5
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Description: Correspondence, diary entries, and writing excerptsDates: 2022-2023Container: Box 25, Folder 6
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Description: Printed diary entries, August 1-25Dates: 2023Container: Box 26, Folder 1
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Description: Printed diary entries, August 25-September 18Dates: 2023Container: Box 26, Folder 2
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Description: Printed diary entries, September 19-October 16Dates: 2023Container: Box 26, Folder 3
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Description: Email and "Crosscut" articleDates: 2023Container: Box 26, Folder 5
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Description: Card from Texas AF cast and crew
DVD transferred to Multimedia
Container: Box 28, Folder 1 -
Description: Card from Gary Tolman to Johnny TownsendDates: 2017, 2021Container: Box 28, Folder 2
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Description: Correspondence and Christmas letter from Jerry ArgetsingerDates: 2021-2022Container: Box 28, Folder 3
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Description: Printed diary entries, November to 2022Dates: 2021-2022Container: Box 28, Folder 8
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Description: Photographs
Photocopies. Originals may be found in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.
Dates: 1960-1999Container: Box 12, Folder 4 -
Description: PortraitDates: 1999Container: Box 12, Folder 5
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Description: WritingDates: 1991-2013Container: Box 12, Folder 6
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Description: Correspondence and MemorabiliaContainer: Box 12, Folder 7
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Description: PostcardsDates: 1984-1986Container: Box 29, Folder 1
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2: Professional Files and Works by Townsend
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Description: Manuscript
"The Sneakover Prince"
Container: Box 14, Folder 1 -
Description: Manuscripts
"The Resurrection of the American," "Granny's Secret Vice," "The Gale of Bitterness," "Why I Am Not A Traitor," "Desperate Escape," and "Valentine's Day - If You Asked Me To"
Container: Box 14, Folder 2 -
Description: Manuscripts
"Edited Out," "To Open The Eyes Of The Blind," "The Dissemination of Greed," "Happy Valley," and "A Breath Of Fresh Air"
Container: Box 14, Folder 3 -
Description: Reviews and CommentaryDates: 1995-1997Container: Box 14, Folder 4
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Description: Correspondence Regarding The Upstairs FireContainer: Box 16, Folder 5
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Description: "The Washing of Brains" unpublished manuscriptContainer: Box 16, Folder 6
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Description: Contracts and CorrespondenceContainer: Box 16, Folder 7
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Description: "Same-Sex Love in Malory's Morte Darthur"Dates: approximately 1988Container: Box 19, Folder 10
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Description: "Heterophobia in Orson Scott Card's Short Stories"Dates: Approximately 1992Container: Box 19, Folder 11
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Description: "The Crying Game's Tears--Misogyny or Masculinity?"Dates: Approximately 1993Container: Box 19, Folder 12
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Description: "Opiod Receptors"Dates: Approximately 1997Container: Box 19, Folder 13
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Description: "Un Equilibrio Precario"Dates: 2007Container: Box 19, Folder 14
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Description: Op-EdsDates: 2016Container: Box 19, Folder 15
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Description: Kirkus Review, Invasion of the Spirit SnatchersDates: 2016Container: Box 19, Folder 16
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Description: Interview with a Mission President manuscriptDates: 2016Container: Box 19, Folder 17
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Description: Johnny Townsend bibliographyDates: 2016Container: Box 19, Folder 18
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Description: The Kindness of Strangers Anthology publication contractDates: 2016Container: Box 19, Folder 20
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Description: Copyright registration certificatesDates: 2009-2016Container: Box 19, Folder 21
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Description: Book file hosting list, contracts, copyright registrations, reviews, articles by or featuring Townsend, reprinting permissionsDates: 1999, 2007-2017Container: Box 20, Folder 1
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Description: Story draftsContainer: Box 20, Folder 2
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Description: Story drafts and copyright registrationDates: 2017Container: Box 20, Folder 5
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Description: Story draftsContainer: Box 21, Folder 1
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Description: Correspondence, clippings, and story draftsDates: 1998, 2007, 2018-2019Container: Box 21, Folder 2
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Description: Copyright registrations, reviews, list of Townsend's worksDates: 2019Container: Box 21, Folder 4
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Description: Parts of "Pre-Bucket List"Container: Box 23, Folder 2
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Description: "Have Your Cum and Eat It Too" notes and draftsContainer: Box 23, Folder 3
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Description: "Strangers With Benefits" notes and draftsContainer: Box 23, Folder 4
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Description: "Glory To The Glory Hole" notes and draftsContainer: Box 23, Folder 5
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Description: Writing excerpts and notesContainer: Box 23, Folder 6
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Description: Upstairs Lounge Fire materialsDates: 2011-2012Container: Box 23, Folder 7
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Description: Copyright registrations, donations, reviews, and writing excerptsDates: 2011-2020Container: Box 23, Folder 8
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Description: Copyright registrations, reviews, writing excerpts, list of Townsend works, critique of "Birdwatching"Dates: 2018Container: Box 23, Folder 9
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Description: Writing excerpts and notesDates: 2018Container: Box 23, Folder 10
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Description: "Freedom Socialist" August/September issue, Townsend article "In Defense of the U.S. Postal Service"Dates: 2020Container: Box 23, Folder 11
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Description: Copyright registrations, articles, writing excerpts, printed diary entries, list of Townsend's worksDates: 2021-2022Container: Box 24, Folder 3
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Description: Correspondence, copyright registrations, and writing excerptsDates: 2007; 2021Container: Box 25, Folder 1
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Description: Orgy at the STD Clinic partial draft and cover ideasDates: 2021Container: Box 25, Folder 3
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Description: "Insight" newsletter, Townsend article on the Upstairs Lounge FireDates: 2023Container: Box 26, Folder 4
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Description: Film option agreement for Upstairs Lounge Fire bookDates: 2022Container: Box 28, Folder 4
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Description: List of publications as of May 4Dates: 2022Container: Box 28, Folder 5
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Description: "Please Evacuate", first two sections of planned six-section novel, work in progressDates: 2022Container: Box 28, Folder 6
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Description: "Recommended Daily Humanity" essays, work in progressDates: 2022Container: Box 28, Folder 7
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Description: Handwritten story drafts, cover design ideas for Orgy at the STD ClinicContainer: Box 28, Folder 10
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3: Works by Others
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Description: Graphic Novel by Brian AndersonContainer: Box 16, Folder 1
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Description: "Civil Unions" by Donna Banta, edited by Johnny TownsendContainer: Box 16, Folder 2
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Description: "Inheriting Disaster," by CL HammerContainer: Box 16, Folder 9
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Description: Stripling Warrior issues 1 and 2Dates: 2016Container: Box 19, Folder 7
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Description: Townsend's edits on Seer StoneContainer: Box 19, Folder 8
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Description: Mormon Punk manuscript by Christopher BigelowContainer: Box 19, Folder 9
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Description: "Stripling Warrior" issues and magnet setContainer: Box 23, Folder 1
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4: Miscellaneous Materials
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Description: Book MagnetsContainer: Box 14, Folder 5
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Description: Wood carving and CameoContainer: Box 15
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Description: Promotional Tee ShirtsContainer: Box 17
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Description: BYU electroshock documentary resourcesContainer: Box 19, Folder 2
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Description: Pioneer Award recommendationDates: 2016Container: Box 19, Folder 5
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Description: One Archive Foundation donation receiptsDates: 2016Container: Box 19, Folder 6
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Description: Book MagnetsContainer: Box 19, Folder 19
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Description: Photographs of Johnny Townsend [photocopies]
Photocopies. Originals may be found in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.
Container: Box 19, Folder 22 -
Description: 20th Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival guest passDates: 2015Container: Box 19, Folder 23
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Description: Gary Tolman, Freedom Socialist Party materialsDates: 2021Container: Box 25, Folder 4
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Description: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "The Uniform System for Teaching Families" manualDates: 1973Container: Box 27, Folder 1
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Description: Gary Tolman presentation on homelessnessDates: 2020Container: Box 28, Folder 9
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Homosexuality--Religious aspects
- Latter Day Saint gay people--Religious life
Personal Names
- Townsend, Johnny--Archives
Form or Genre Terms
- Journals (accounts)
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