Digital Transgender Archive

Lou Sullivan diary, 1985-1987

Lou Sullivan's diary for mid-1985 to 1987, following him from the ages of 34-36. During these years, Sullivan fought for the ability to receive bottom surgery at the Stanford Gender Dysphoria Clinic, whose staff refused to accept a gay patient (he eventually had surgery elsewhere, although his advocacy would eventually help to bring queer trans men into the medical mainstream). Sullivan also founded the trans men's organization FTM during this time, and continued his archiving work at the Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of Northern California (the future GLBT Historical Society). He also continued writing the biography From Female to Male: The Life of Jack Bee Garland. Sullivan became involved in disabled gay men's organizing during these years, coming to find disability the most useful label for how his body fit into gay society. He had previously made connections (and briefly dated a woman) in the San Francisco multiple sclerosis community following his sister's diagnosis. At the beginning of 1987, Sullivan's life changed irrevocably when he became seriously ill with what was diagnosed as AIDS-related pneumonia. He worked to find peace with the idea of the end of his life, although he would ultimately live for four more years. Louis Graydon Sullivan (1951-1991) was a gay trans man from Milwaukee, WI who lived much of his adult life in San Francisco. A diarist, amateur historian, and administrative assistant, Sullivan is best known for the detailed and thoughtful diary he kept from childhood until his death from AIDS at age 39.