An Early History Of The Seattle Counseling Service For Sexual Minorities
The purpose of this article is to assembly a history of early years of The Seattle Counseling
Service For Sexual Minorities from its grass roots beginnings. I have searched the internet and although the information is out there, it is scattered and often found in obscure places. Contributions are welcome from anyone who has information on dates and the time-line, or who can correct omissions and errors. The Seattle Counseling Service (SCS) was very much on the forefront of the Gay, Lesbian and Trans-gender movement of the early 1970's. It was a highly visible focal point and had a broad base of support from the Sexual Minority communities.
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http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=5408
Dorian House, a pioneering gay counseling service, opens in Seattle on July 7, 1969.
HistoryLink.org Essay 5408
On July 7, 1969, the Dorian House opens. Its purpose is “to provide counseling and
employment help to homosexuals in the Seattle area” (University of Washington Daily). Located
at 320 East Malden Street, near 15th Avenue E and Harrison Street on Capitol Hill, the Dorian
House is the first of its kind in the United States. Director Pat Gandy runs the employment
service, and Dr. Robert Deisher, head of University of Washington Division of Child Health, is
in charge of counseling. The Erickson Foundation, located in Louisiana, provides initial
funding.
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The address given by this source is incorrect; the correct address was 318 Malden Ave East, as
per its Washington State Articles Of Incorporation, dated September 3, 1970. Just for the record, the Articles Of Incorporation lists the official name as being ‘Seattle Counseling Center’.
[The question of the first address should be researched. My recollection is that counseling service initially started operations at Dorian House, which I think was 320 E. Malden, then moved to the house next door, immediately to the south, which I think was 318 E. Malden. Source: Personal recollection. I was first at the counseling service when it was still at the Malden location.]
When it was first formed it was known as The Seattle Counseling Service for Homosexuals. The
Dorian Society of Seattle, some of whose members were affiliated with the University of Washington, was responsible for its formation. Its original location was in an old house located a 318 Malden Ave East. It offered telephone and drop-in counseling, and was a clearing house for information about social and political events in the Lesbian and Gay Communities. Often time letting people know that it was O.K. to be gay and directing them to places where they could socialize with other gay people was adequate. There were also professionals on staff to deal with more serious mental health issues facing Lesbians and Gay Men.
SCS in conjunction the Gay Community Center of Seattle (GCCS) held a number of educational
forums at the GCCS designed to enlighten people about Lesbian and Gay issues.
During the early years, there was a succession of directors at SCS. Most of the directorships
lasted less that two years. The first director was Robert Wetzel (sp?), the second was Dr. Rae Larson. The third directorship was composed of a 3-person team: Ann Manly, Michael Carr and Patrick Haggerty. The fourth was Richard Snedigar. Number five was Sandra Fosshage.
Beginning in 1972, SCS received a small operating grant administered through The Seattle
Mental Health Institute.
One of the growing pains of the organization was that the financial records were in a state
of disarray and needed to be put in order so that SCS could successfully apply for grants. SCS also needed to apply for tax exempt status in order to receive grants and be recognized as a valid mental health institution.
In the fall of 1973, application for tax exempt status was submitted to the IRS and SCS was
granted tax exempt status in January of 1974.
Sometime during 1973, the growing awareness of Trans-gender issues engendered the idea of a
name change to something that was more inclusive of the clientele being served. Out of this, the terminology ‘Sexual Minorities’ came into being and the name was changed to The Seattle Counseling Service For Sexual Minorities.
SCS applied for funding of six positions from Programs for Local Service, a branch of VISTA
(Volunteers In Service To America). These positions gave SCS a more reliable staff to attend to the clerical duties required to keep the organization running smoothly.
In the Spring of 1973 after months of planning, SCS held a symposium called Gays and Mental
Health aimed at educating the mental health community about Lesbian and Gay issues.
Reading materials that may be of interest:
"Counseling Our Own" by Charna Klein
"The Early Homosexual Rights Movement (1864-1935)"
by John Lauritsen and David Thorstad
Stories of a personal and political from this era:
A Leaf In The Wind