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Abbott, Franklin

 Person

Biography of Franklin Abbott

Franklin Abbott is a psychotherapist, writer, poet, artist, and gay activist. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1950, Abbott earned an undergraduate degree at Mercer University and his Master of Social Work at the University of Georgia. Since 1979, he has practiced psychotherapy in Atlanta. Abbott was an original member of the Radical Faeries and has explored numerous aspects of spirituality. He has facilitated many self-help and healing workshops on gay identity and other issues. A leading organizer in the Atlanta gay community, he co-founded the Atlanta Circle of Healing and established the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival. Abbott has corresponded with gay men, poets, and radicals from all over the world including Harry Hay, James Broughton, and Assotto Saint, and was a pioneer in the pro-feminist men's movement. The author of two books of poetry, Mortal Love: Selected Poems, 1971-1998 and Pink Zinnia (2009), he also edited three anthologies on men and gender: New Men, New Minds: Breaking Male Tradition (1987), Men and Intimacy: Personal Accounts of the Dilemmas of Modern Male Sexuality (1990), and Boyhood: Growing up Male (1993).

Found in 18 Collections and/or Records:

Activist Women Oral History Project

 Collection
Identifier: W071
Abstract The Activist Women Oral History Project was established in 2006, and forms part of the Archives for Research on Women. This project is broad in scope, and the subject matter includes domestic violence, women's health and reproductive justice, politics, policy making and the law, child sex trafficking, philanthropy, community activism, art and culture, equality in the workplace, civil rights, and LGBTQ activism. The ongoing and growing Activist Women Oral History Project contains over 40 oral...
Dates: 2005-2016

Alpha May Bond papers

 Collection
Identifier: Y010
Abstract:

The Alpha May Bond papers, 2007-2014, consist of correspondence, family newsletters, genealogical research, and a manuscript draft created by Bond, who was a Mercer University sociology professor.

Dates: 2007-2014

Always, Ever and Only by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott, Janet Metzger, Sam Hagan, and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_AlwaysEverandOnly
Scope and Contents

Performance by Sam Hagan, Bob Strain, Franklin Abbott, and Janet Metzger. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013

Atlanta Civic and Neighborhood History oral histories

 Collection
Identifier: Y021
Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Atlanta Civic and Neighborhood History Oral History Collection contains interviews with activists and lawyers from the city of Atlanta.

Dates: 2009-2014

Atlanta South Asian Oral History Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Y018
Scope and Content of the Collection

The South Asian Oral History Collection consists of 5 oral history interviews.

Dates: 2017

Bob Strain papers

 Collection
Identifier: Q165
Abstract:

Classically trained pianist Bob Strain served as a council member of the Gay Spirit Visions (GSV), an organization that organizes gatherings for gay men to explore their spirituality and identity in a safe, nurturing, and sacred environment. His papers, 1994-2014, undated, include correspondence, newsletters, poems, and photographs related to Bob Strain's involvement with the organizations he served, including Gay Spirit Visions (GSV) and the Atlanta Radical Faeries Circle.

Dates: 1994-2014

Collection on James Broughton

 Collection
Identifier: Q146
Abstract

The Collection on James Broughton, 1992-1995, 2009-2013, undated, includes material related to the film Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton, including interviews created for the documentary, and material related to the centennial celebration of the poet and filmmaker (1913-1999), held at Georgia State University. The collection includes ephemera, compact discs, a DVD, and digital files.

Dates: 1981-1997, 2009-2013, undated

Escape to Siam by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_EscapetoSiam
Scope and Contents

Performance by Bob Strain and Franklin Abbott. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013

Franklin Abbott oral history interview, September 30, 2011

 Item — Othertype Oral History: Series I; Series II; Series III; Series IV
Identifier: AbbottF_20110930
Scope and Contents Interviewed by Wesley Chenault. Abbott first discusses his grandparent’s and parent’s lives in Alabama. Then he describes the move from Birmingham to Buffalo to Nashville. He explains the challenges of his high school years and the freedom he gained while at Mercer College. Abbott describes his politicization with racial and gender justice while in school and details his coming out experiences in his mid-20s. He reflects on lesbian and gay organizing in Atlanta and the work he did in...
Dates: September 30, 2011

Franklin Abbott oral history interview, December 14, 2015

 Item — Othertype Oral History: Series I; Series II; Series III; Series IV
Identifier: AbbottF_20151214
Scope and Contents Interviewed by Jaseon Ezell. Abbott shares the tensions between gay men and lesbians. He outlines the historical roles that religious groups' played in supporting the beginnings of the gay movement. Het then discusses the history of the Radical Faeries and Gay Spirit Visions and the friendships he developed because of these community spaces—particularly his friendship with Raven Wolfdancer. Abbott talks about AIDS and the impact of the disease on his writing and spiritual communities. He...
Dates: December 14, 2015

Franklin Abbott papers

 Collection
Identifier: Q108
Abstract: Franklin Abbott, who has practiced psychotherapy in Atlanta since 1979, is a writer, poet, artist, and gay activist. His papers, 1907-1910, 1933, 1942, 1950-2014 [bulk, 1960-2010], include correspondence, writings and poetry, printed material, photographs, audio-visual recordings, and sound recordings that relate to Abbott's friendships and family, his creative works and his relationships with other artists, his exploration of spirituality, leadership in the Atlanta gay community, work as a...
Dates: 1907-1910, 1933, 1942, 1950-2014; Majority of material found within 1960 - 2010

Gay Spirit Visions Oral History Project

 Collection
Identifier: Q140
Abstract

Gay Spirit Visions organizes gatherings for gay men to explore their spirituality and identity in a safe, nurturing, and sacred environment. The Gay Spirit Visions Oral History Project contains an ever-growing number of interviews with attendees of Gay Spirit Visions events.

Dates: 2015-2020

Gay Spirit Visions records

 Collection
Identifier: Q127
Abstract:

Gay Spirit Visions organizes gatherings for gay men to explore their spirituality and identity in a safe, nurturing, and sacred environment. The records mostly detail the planning, financing, and recording of retreats, and include correspondence, financial records, flyers, invitations, programs, audiovisual materials, and photographs dating from 1978-2010.

Dates: 1978-2019

Gender and Sexuality Oral History Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Q101
Abstract

The Gender and Sexuality Oral History Project documents LGBTQ+ history in Atlanta, Georgia and the South through interviews with activists and leaders in grassroots movements as well as established organizations and public offices.

Dates: 2008-2020

Here's to It by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott, Janet Metzger, Sam Hagan, and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_HerestoIt
Scope and Contents

Performance by Sam Hagan, Bob Strain, Franklin Abbott, and Janet Metzger. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013

I Heard in the Shell by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott, Janet Metzger, Sam Hagan, and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_IHeardintheShell
Scope and Contents

Performance by Sam Hagan, Bob Strain, and Franklin Abbott. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013

Karuna Counseling Oral History Project

 Collection
Identifier: W166
Abstract:

Established in 1974, the original mission of Karuna Counseling was to provide high quality, compassionate care for women. Over the years the practice has grown, developed and expanded its focus, and it now provides holistic psychotherapy services to men, women, adolescents, families, couples, businesses, and organizations in the Atlanta, Ga. area. The Karuna Counseling Oral History Project aims to document the history of the counseling practice through peer interviews with its therapists.

Dates: 2014-2018

Song of the Bed by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott, Janet Metzger, Sam Hagan, and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_SongoftheBed
Scope and Contents

Performance by Sam Hagan, Bob Strain, Franklin Abbott, and Janet Metzger. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013

Additional filters:

Type
Collection 11
Archival Object 7
 
Subject
Atlanta (Ga.) 4
Radical Faeries (New Age movement) 4
Gay activists 3
Gay men 3
Spiritual retreats 3