Collections

The Phyllis Murphy collection, 1981-2005, contains flyers, brochures, clippings, magazines, and photographs documenting LGBT community events and organizations in Central Florida. Of interest is a member's survey by The Alliance about LGBTQ staff working at Disney. The collection includes minutes, newsletters, and member lists from LGBT organizations, such as Gay Community Services and Rainbow Democratic Club. It also includes planning documents for the first Orlando Regional Pride Parade and t-shirts from Orlando Pride and LGBT events. Other materials include several t-shirts from various LGBTQ events. Additionally, a small amount of material related to Joel Strack was gifted by Murphy in honor of Strack. Phyllis Murphy is an LGBT+ activist that was involved in organizing the first Orlando Regional Pride Parade, which took place on June 22, 1991. She served on the board of Orlando Regional Pride for several years. Murphy also co-chaired the Florida chapter of Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) with Brian Arbogast. In 2005, Murphy helped to establish the GLBT History Project alongside Debbie Simmons, Ken Kazmerski, Malory Wells, Patty Sheehan, and Mary Brooks. Murphy met Mary Brooks, her longtime partner, while Brooks was working as a secretary for the Metropolitan Business Association (MBA), the LGBT community chamber of commerce.

The Piers Anthony collection includes the papers of the prominent science fiction author and USF graduate. Items include the manuscripts of more than eighty-five books and short stories, correspondence, and a daily work record. His works, particularly the Xanth series, incorporate Florida settings.

Personal and professional papers of Pietro Rittini (1892-1949), a local businessman in Tampa, FL.