Pride in the Archives

UTA Libraries celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month with a new mini exhibit on the sixth floor of the UTA Central Library. Pride in the Archives documents the LGBTQ+ history at UTA and Tarrant County. The exhibit runs till Tuesday, Oct. 31. 

Kathryn Slover, a digital archivist, stated that the exhibit uses materials from several different collections that show local and national history. 

“October is LGBTQ+ history month, which is why we are hosting the exhibit to highlight some of the history in Tarrant County and at the campus. It is also UTA’s pride month,” Kathryn said. “People know that these materials are here, but we want to spread the word about these resources because this is the history of our community and our campus.” 

The exhibit features documents, books, photographs, and artifacts that tell the story of the LGBTQ+ community. One of the stories featured in the exhibit is of UTA student, David Henderson, who played the university mascot, Sam Maverick, in the 1980s. 

On May 29, 1980, athletic director Bill Reeves asked David to resign from his position because he was gay. David refused to do so. This moment led David to form the Gay/Lesbian Association, which was one of the first LGBTQ+ groups officially recognized by a school in Texas.  

Kathryn stated that having David's photograph as Sam Maverick, along with university records, in the exhibit helps humanize this story and connect visitors to it. 

In addition to the Pride in the Archives exhibit, there is a UTA Pride Month exhibit on the third floor of the Central Library next to the Rainbow and Safe Space Lounges that people can visit and learn more.  

People can visit the Special Collections department throughout the year to access and research these materials. Staff members are ready to assist library patrons with research and answer questions. 

The Special Collections department is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Special Collections is on the sixth floor of the UTA Central Library.