Homophiles of Penn State

Homophiles of Penn State (HOPS) was a student organization organized in 1971 to advocate for and bring together homosexuals that was part of the wave of activism which spread across college campuses during the decade.

The group was founded by Bruce Miller, Diane Novack, and Joe Acanfora. The three met at the downtown bar My-Oh-My, frequented by both heterosexual and homosexual patrons. They applied for and received a charter from the Undergraduate Student Government on April 22, 1971, but within a few months it was suspended by the university.

The group immediately held protests and rallies with other student organizations. One of the first demonstrations happened at the same time Barbera Gittings and Frank Kameny, two prominent advocates for the gay liberation movement, were visiting to lead a discussion on homosexuality and lend support for HOPS.

Kameny took the microphone after an address by then-Governor Milton J. Shapp at Old Main and demanded the university reverse the suspension of the charter. On May 20, representatives from twenty-five chartered student organizations picketed at Old Main. Members of the group also met and discussed the issue with university officials, hoping to get the charter back.

On September 1, 1971, the university officially revoked the charter, citing an alleged conflict with the group and the counseling and psychiatric services the university provided. With the help of Penn State’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, the group filed a lawsuit against university officials, including President John W. Oswald and the Board of Trustees. They wanted the university to a stop denying their recognition as a student organization and their use of facilities other student organizations could use, not retaliate against group members, and allow them to express their constitutional rights.

The university filed a preliminary objection in March 1972, countering that: HOPS did not have an established “cause of action” and thus no rights were violated. HOPS ultimately won their right to a charter in an out of court settlement on January 24, 1973, with the condition that the group add two amendments to their charter, one stating that the group will not attempt to convert individuals and another stating that they will refer “confused individuals” to an accredited psychologist or psychiatrist. In return, HOPS agreed to drop all charges against the university.

After HOPS regained their charter, it remained a charted student organization until the 1980s.  The group focused on education and social opportunities, creating educational flyers and handouts, hosting discussions, showing movies, holding dances,  and inviting speakers. Members also traveled to hold talks in other places.

Starting in 1972, HOPS held a Gay Liberation Festival in the summer. The first festival ran from Friday to Sunday. There were picnics, a movie, parties, workshops, and other activities.

The group also published three different publications: The Alternative, ZAP(!), and Gay Line Manuel.  The Alternative was a newspaper published once a semester, discussing the group’s effort to regain their charter, announcing events, discussing relevant issues, and hosting advertisements for gay-friendly venues. ZAP! was a bi-weekly newsletter for the group. Gay Line Manuel was a list of social services—professional, educational, and religious—available in the state.

Ela Garza


Sources:

Bruce Miller Oral History, January 30 – February 2 ,2023. Pennsylvania State University Queer and Trans Oral History Collection, Eberly Family Special Collections Library.

Burton, William with Barry Loveland. Out in Central Pennsylvania: The History of an History of an LGBTQ Community. University Park, PA: Penn State University Press, 2020.

DeBray, Jeff. “HOPS Wins Charter Right,” Daily Collegian, January 25, 1973.

Homophiles of Penn State (HOPS) Records. Pennsylvania State University, Eberly Family Special Collections Library.

Snyder, Barb. “HOPS Sues University,” Daily Collegian, February 14, 1972.


First Published: October 28, 2024

Last Modified: October 30, 2024