Special Collections and Archives, a part of the Missouri State University Libraries, hosted a special potluck dinner for a local men’s group on March 5, 2023 to introduce them to OLGA — the Ozarks Lesbian and Gay Archives. The group holds a potluck in a different location the first Sunday of each month and requested a visit to Special Collections and Archives for their March dinner.

Library Associate Jeffrey Lawson hosted the group of over twenty-five guests, who came from as far away as Lebanon and West Plains to view the collections. The guests were given a brief overview and history of OLGA and other related collections, then had the opportunity to view various items from the collections, including newsletters from various LGBT organizations, scrapbooks from the 1989 production of The Normal Heart, and promotional materials from Pridefest celebrations through the years. A slideshow of photographs from the Jim House Collection proved especially popular, with many of the attendees having known Mr. House and some of the subjects in the photographs.

Users may contact Archives@missouristate.edu with any questions about OLGA, the GLO Collection, the Jim House Collection, or other related collections.