Burt Driggs

Burt Driggs was an American archivist, librarian, and activist who played a pivotal role in preserving LGBT history. He is best known as a co-founder of the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco, one of the world's largest repositories of queer archival materials. His work was instrumental in documenting the community's response to the AIDS crisis and ensuring the survival of its cultural heritage.

Early life and education

Burt Driggs was born in 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio. He pursued his higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a degree in library science. During his time in the San Francisco Bay Area, he became deeply involved in the burgeoning gay liberation movement of the late 1960s and 1970s, which profoundly shaped his future career path. This period of activism coincided with significant cultural shifts in neighborhoods like the Castro District and events such as the White Night riots.

Career

Driggs's professional career was dedicated to the preservation of LGBT history in the United States. In 1985, alongside activists like Willie Walker, he co-founded the GLBT Historical Society, initially operating out of a small space in the San Francisco Public Library. He served as the organization's first archivist, meticulously collecting materials ranging from personal papers and photographs to ephemera from AIDS organizations like the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and ACT UP. His efforts ensured the survival of records from pivotal figures such as Harvey Milk and institutions like the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Driggs also collaborated with other archival entities, including the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives in Los Angeles and the Lesbian Herstory Archives in New York City.

Personal life

Burt Driggs was a longtime resident of San Francisco, where he was an active participant in the city's vibrant LGBT culture. He was a member of the Metropolitan Community Church and supported various community initiatives. Driggs was in a long-term relationship with his partner, who shared his commitment to archival work and activism. He passed away in 2019 in San Francisco due to complications from pneumonia.

Legacy

Burt Driggs's legacy is foundational to the field of queer studies and public history. The collections he helped build at the GLBT Historical Society are indispensable resources for scholars, filmmakers, and the public, supporting works like the Academy Award-winning documentary *The Times of Harvey Milk*. His pioneering work established a model for community-based archives that has influenced similar institutions worldwide, including the Schlesinger Library and the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archive. The GLBT Historical Society Museum in the Castro District stands as a public testament to his vision of preserving and celebrating LGBT lives.