Tucson Weekly Observer and the Western Express newspapers
Collection area: Arizona Queer Archives
Collection dates: bulk 1985 to 2000
This collection contains newspaper issues from the Tucson Weekly Observer and the Western Express from 1983 to 2000. The bulk of this collection focuses on issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. This collection includes information on the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation (SAAF), which was established in 1985 to support those with HIV/AIDS as well as fight to destigmatize it; the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force which was grassroots organizations fighting to build LGBTQ power; and the AZ Gay Rodeo Federation, a group that hosts an annual rodeo in order to benefit LGBTQ funds, charities, and organizations. This collection is part of the Arizona Queer Archives (AQA), a community focused archive through the Institute for LGBT Studies at the University of Arizona. It was transferred to Special Collections in 2020.
The Tucson Weekly Observer and the Western Express were both queer specific newspaper published in Arizona starting during the 80s. They covered LGBTQ issues of the times as well as community happenings.
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