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Patty Sheehan collection, 1987-2002, bulk 1987-1993

 

Summary

Creator:
Sheehan, Patty, 1961-
Abstract:
Patty Sheehan is an Orlando-based LGBTQ+ activist and politician. She is the first out lesbian to be appointed to the Orlando City Commission and the longest-serving Orlando City Council member. The Patty Sheehan collection is primarily comprised of documents, memorabilia, and photographs related to Sheehan's 2000 Orlando City Commissioner electoral campaign and her participation in Pride Parades, marches, and rallies.
Extent:
1.5 Linear Feet 3 boxes
Language:
The materials are written in English.
Preferred citation:

Patty Sheehan collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

The Patty Sheehan collection, 1987-2002, primarily consists of documents and memorabilia related to Sheehan's LGBTQ+ activism and her 2000 Orlando City Commissioner electoral campaign. The collection includes photographs, scrapbooks, journal entries, business cards, newspaper clippings, and artifacts such as dried flowers, informational cards, buttons, a t-shirt sign, a beaded necklace, laminated news clippings, and an election pin from Patty Sheehan's 2000 campaign. The bulk of the collections dates from 1987 to 1993.

Biographical / historical:

Patty Sheehan was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 6th, 1961. At 10, Sheehan moved to Florida with her family. She attended Seminole State College and the University of Central Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Art. She first ran for Orlando City Counsel in 1996. Although she did not win her first campaign, Sheehan won her 2000 electoral campaign for Orlando City Commissioner, becoming the first openly gay elected official in Central Florida. She was re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2023. Sheehan has attended several Marches on Washington for LGBT rights and assisted in organizing the first Orlando Pride Parades and related events. Sheehan has also participated in and supported LGBT endeavors such as Out & About Books, Gay and lesbian film festivals, and AIDS awareness activism. As of 2023, Sheehan remains an LGBT rights activist, Orlando City Commissioner, and the longest-serving Orlando City Council member. Sheehan uses her position as Orlando City Commissioner to advocate for public safety, LGBTQ rights, and other non-discrimination ordinances.

Acquisition information:
Gifted by Patty Sheehan to the LGBTQ+ History Museum of Central Florida in 2006. Gifted by the LGBTQ+ History Museum of Central Florida to University of Central Florida Libraries, Special Collections University Archives in 2021 (Accession no. CFM2021_22).
Processing information:

Collection processed by and initial finding aid prepared by Kyle Messamore in 2013. Finding aid updated and collection processed by Kalynn Smith in 2017. Finding aid revised and collection rehoused by Arlie Cruz in 2022. All materials were placed into acid-free folders and in an acid-free box.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in three series.

  • I. Marches on Washington, 1987-1993
  • II. Activism, 1991-1997
  • III. 2000 Election, 2000-2002

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The entire collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

Patty Sheehan collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Location of this collection:
John C. Hitt Library
12701 Pegasus Drive, Building 2
Orlando
FL
32816-8030
USA