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Papers of Kristi Parker

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS 1238

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

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:

  1. Alphabetical subject files
  2. Newsletters and magazines
  3. Liberty Press production files
  4. Topical files
  5. Posters, newspaper clippings, and objects
  6. Audio-visual material
  7. Photographic materials
  8. 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.

Related Materials

All issues of Liberty Press Kansas City have been removed from the collection to be cataloged separately. Any duplicate issues have been kept with the collection.

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.

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; revised by cmp, 2024.
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

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334