Papers of Kristi Parker
Overview
Wichita, Kansas native Kristi Lynn Parker was an activist in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community of Kansas for most of her adult life. Active in Wichita Pride, Inc. and Kansans for Human Dignity, Parker operated The Liberty Press, an LGBTQ+ news magazine, in Kansas from 1994 to 2018. This collection is comprised of intermixed personal and professional papers with topics such as HIV/AIDS research, LGBTQ+ parenting, and Gay Pride parades, including production files for Liberty Press from its start in 1994 up to 2011. The collection also contains newsletters and magazines relating to LGBT organizations and special interests, including HIV/AIDS research, journalism, and politics, as well as audio-visual materials and artifacts reflecting the LGBTQ+ community.
Dates
- Creation: 1977 - 2018
Creator
- Parker, Kristi (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
Biography of Kristi Parker
Wichita, Kansas native Kristi Lynn Parker was born May 25, 1968 to Keith E. Parker (born November 15, 1939) and Jacquelyn K. Sell (born September 5, 1938). She graduated from Wichita East High school in 1986 and went on to Kansas State University, graduating in 1990. She received a second degree from Wichita State University in 1992.
Parker was an activist in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community of Kansas for over twenty years. She was the chairperson of Wichita Pride, Inc. from 1994-1998; served as the treasurer on the board of Kansans for Human Dignity, which oversaw The Center (The Wichita Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center); and was the merchandising chair for the local Stonewall 25 celebration in 1994. Parker frequently spoke on LGBT topics in the state of Kansas, and was active in the Special Olympics.
In September 1994, Parker founded the Liberty Press, an LGBTQ+ news magazine. It is currently Kansas' only LGBT publication. Liberty Press won three national Vice Versa Awards for Excellence in the Gay & Lesbian Press in 1999.
Parker had one son, Jack (born 2001). She died in March 2018, at the age of 49.
Extent
20.25 Linear Feet (26 boxes + 1 oversize folder, 8 oversize boxes, 1 card file box, 43 compact discs, 12 microfilm reels, 1 standard audio cassette, 1 microcassette)
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents
The Kristi Parker Collection dates from approximately 1977 to 2013 and is arranged in series pertaining to Parker's personal and professional papers; newspapers and magazines; and audio-visual material. The papers are comprised of intermixed personal and professional papers with topics such as HIV/AIDS research, LGBTQ+ parenting, and Gay Pride. They include production files from Parker's Liberty Press magazine. One set of subject files has been arranged alphabetically by topic; another set of topical files is grouped by topic, and the production files are organized chronologically.
Newsletters and magazines contain items related to LGBTQ+ organizations and special interests, including HIV/AIDS research, journalism, and politics. The audio-visual material includes compact discs, cassette tapes, and video cassettes of commercially made music and movies, as well as recordings of interviews, advertisements, and other material related to Parker's professional work and personal interests.
Oversize material and objects have been physically separated and described. This includes newspapers, posters, textiles, and artifacts.
Series List
The original Kristi Parker Collection dates from approximately 1977 to 2010 and was arranged in three series. Additional materials, processed in 2016 and 2019, have been arranged into further series. The series for the entire collection include:
- Alphabetical subject files
- Newsletters and magazines
- Liberty Press production files
- Topical files
- Posters, newspaper clippings, and objects
- Audio-visual material
- Photographic materials
- Liberty Press publications
Physical Location
RH MS 1238
Physical Location
RH MS 1405
Physical Location
RH MS 1480
Physical Location
RH MS-P 1480
Physical Location
RH MS Q340
Physical Location
RH MS Q420
Physical Location
RH MS Q452
Physical Location
RH MS R306
Physical Location
RH MS R406
Physical Location
RH MS R420
Physical Location
RH CD 38
Physical Location
RH Cassette Tape 71
Physical Location
RH Video 57
Physical Location
RH MF 194
Physical Location
KC AV 73
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts, Kristi Parker, 2011, 2014; estate of Kristi Parker, 2018.
Separated Materials
Liberty Press Kansas City. Wichita, KS: The Liberty Press, Inc., located at RH Ser D3376.
Liberty Press. Wichita, KS: The Liberty Press, Inc., located at RH Ser D1622.
Subject
- Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (Organization)
- Human Rights Campaign Fund (U.S.) (Organization)
- Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund (Organization)
- Liberty Press (Wichita Kan.) (Organization)
- National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (U.S.). Policy Institute (Organization)
- Save, Inc. (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Kristi Parker Collection
- Subtitle
- Papers of Kristi Parker
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by skt, 2011; updated by skt, 2014; revised by lb, 2016; revised by vej, 2019.
- Date
- 2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in English.
- Finding aid permalink
- http://hdl.handle.net/10407/4402730409
- Preferred citation
-
Papers of Kristi Parker, RH MS 1238, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository