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Johnny Townsend papers

 Collection
Identifier: ACCN 2677

Scope and Contents

The Johnny Townsend papers (1977-2023) contain the daily journals, emails, and records of Johnny Townsend (b. 1961), an ex-LDS Church member, writer and advocate for the rights of the gay community.

Dates

  • 1977-2023

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Note

Johnny Townsend (b. 1961) was born and raised in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. After serving an LDS mission in Italy, he returned to Louisiana to attend the University of New Orleans. He later went on to earn an MFA from Louisiana State University. A prolific writer, his essays have appeared in numerous renowned publications and he has written and self-published several books about the experiences of gay Latter-day Saints. He currently resides with his partner in Seattle, Washington.

Extent

13 Linear Feet (28 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Johnny Townsend papers (1977-2023) contain the daily journals of Johnny Townsend (b. 1961), an ex-LDS Church member, writer and advocate for the rights of the gay community. The journals highlight Townsend's struggle to reconcile his religious upbringing with his emerging sense of homosexual identity. The collection also contains personal records including, but not limited to, school transcripts and standardized test scores, and email correspondence (2006-2014). Furthermore, the Townsend papers include various manuscripts including a thesis and short stories.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Johnny Townsend in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Processing Information

Processed by Matthew Weathered in 2013.

Addendum processed by Kevin Priest in 2014.

Addendum processed by Sean Taylor in 2015.

Addendum processed by Kevin Priest in 2016. Addenda from 2017-2023 processed by Kristina Barksdale in 2024. Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records.
Title
Inventory of the Johnny Townsend papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Matthew Weathered and Kevin Priest.
Date
2013 (last modified: 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2023)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2014: Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Kevin Priest.
  • 2015: Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Sean Taylor.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863