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This collection encompasses the records of the organization William and Mary Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae (GALA) founded in 1986. Materials in the collection date from before the organization's founding to the present, with the majority of the material covering the years 1986 through 1992. The earliest records were maintained and created by Stephen Snell and George Greenia. The major issues covered include the founding of the organization, initial battles for recognition by the William and Mary Alumni Association, the fight to have sexual orientation added to the university's non-discrimination policy, and the suit to have anti-homosexual language removed from the state of Virginia's policies on liquor licensing. The records were collected by William and Mary GALA founder and first president Stephen Snell, Professor George Greenia, presidents Steve Murden, Wayne Curtis, Frank Edwards, and others. Included in the collection are fliers, correspondence, education materials, news clippings, and organizational papers. Due to the multiple creators associated with the collection, the same documents can be found in multiple series and folders within the collection. For instance, notices about events and correspondence may be found in a general chronological folder as well as a folder about a specific event or topic.