Tommie L. Watkins Jr. papers, 2000-2009.
Collection Number: 7737
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Tommie L. Watkins Jr. papers, 2000-2009.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
7737
Abstract:
Papers of Rev. Tommie Lee Watkins Jr., documenting his interaction with the U.S. Navy
regarding their demand that he repay tuition. During the three-year administrative
process, Watkins asserted that the Navy's insistence that he repay tuition when it
had excused numerous cases involving white students was influenced by racism. His
papers also document his views on communities of faith and the inclusion and affirmation
of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, those questioning their sexuality,
people living with AIDS, and their families. Includes correspondence, essays, clippings,
and a videorecording of a service at Miami, Florida's Greater Bethel A.M.E. (African
Methodist Episcopal Church) Church on April 15, 2001, where Watkins worked as program
director for HIV/AIDS prevention education.
Creator:
Watkins, Tommie L., Jr.
Quanitities:
.3 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in English
Ordained a Baptist minister in 1991, Watkins served as youth minister at the First
Missionary Baptist Church of Hueytown in Bessemer, Alabama. He attended the United
States Naval Academy from 1994 to 1997, where he was elected class president and earned
the rank of battalion commander. In 1997, he resigned after allegations of homosexual
activity. He finished his degree at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida,
and has worked as a business analyst, math teacher, and health educator focusing on
gay youth and communities of color. In 2000, the South Florida Conference of the AME
Church denied his application for ordination as an A.M.E. itinerent deacon (the lowest
level of itinerent minister). He founded the Ministry of Reconciliation, which is
an inclusive and affirming education and worship experience primarily for Black Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning persons, Persons Living With AIDS (PLWAs),
and their family members. In 2005, Watkins published a book about his life experiences
titled "Living Out Loud."
Papers of Rev. Tommie Lee Watkins Jr., documenting his interaction with the U.S. Navy
regarding their demand that he repay tuition. During the three-year administrative
process, Watkins asserted that the Navy's insistence that he repay tuition when it
had excused numerous cases involving white students was influenced by racism. His
papers also document his views on communities of faith and the inclusion and affirmation
of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, those questioning their sexuality,
people living with AIDS, and their families. Includes correspondence, essays, clippings,
and a videorecording of a service at Miami, Florida's Greater Bethel A.M.E. (African
Methodist Episcopal Church) Church on April 15, 2001, where Watkins worked as program
director for HIV/AIDS prevention education.
Collecting program: Human Sexuality Collection
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Tommie L. Watkins Jr. papers, # 7737. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections,
Cornell University Library.
Names:
African Methodist Episcopal Church -- : Florida.
United States. Navy -- : Gays.
Subjects:
Gay military personnel -- United States -- Government policy.
Race discrimination -- United States.
Homophobia -- United States.
Homosexuality -- Religious aspects.
Gay clergy -- United States.
African-American gays -- United States.
CONTAINER LIST
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 1 |
2004 resume and Colin Higgins Courage Award certificate of recognition
|
2004 |
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 2 |
"Ministry of Reconciliation," paper by Watkins
|
2000 |
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 3 |
Correspondence re: debt to the Navy
|
2000 |
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 4 |
Henderson, Mitch letter to editor about Watkins' debt to Navy
|
n.d. |
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 5 |
Washington Post
|
2000 |
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 6 |
"Rev. Tommy Watkins: Faith Warrior," article in Venus and readers' responses
|
2001 |
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 7 |
CU Out and About (Univ. of Colorado at Boulder)
|
2002 |
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 8 |
Clippings
|
2000 |
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 9 |
Clippings
|
2000-2005 |
Box 1 | Box 1, Folder 10 |
Mosaic event poster
|
2003 |
Box 1 | Box 1‡ v. 722 |
Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church service
|
2001 |
Box 2 | Box 2, Folder 1 |
Rev. Tommie Watkins Articles of Venus
|
2001 |
Box 2 | Box 2, Folder 2 |
Advocate Article and Bulletin Full Truth Ministries
|
2006 |
Box 2 | Box 2, Folder 3 |
Events
|
2007 |
Box 2 | Box 2, Folder 4 |
Diplomas and Articles
|
2008 |
Box 2 | Box 2, Folder 5 |
Diplomas
|
2008 |
Box 2 | Box 2, Folder 6 |
Articles
|
2009 |
Box 2 | Box 2, Folder 7 |
Articles
|
2009 |