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 12 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
Found in:
Special Collections
/
Alpha May Bond papers
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
Found in:
Special Collections
/
Bob Strain papers
Franklin Abbott oral history interview, December 14, 2015
Item
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 oral history interview, September 30, 2011
Item
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 spiritual...
Dates:
September 30, 2011
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
Found in:
Special Collections
/
Franklin Abbott papers
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
Found in:
Special Collections
/
Gay Spirit Visions records
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
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
Social Change oral histories
Collection
Identifier: Y021
Scope and Contents of the Collection
Social Change Oral History Collection contains interviews with activists and lawyers from the city of Atlanta.
Dates:
2009-2014
Found in:
Special Collections
/
Social Change oral histories