History

APS Affiliate No. 205 -- ATA Study Unit No. 458 -- AFDCS Chapter No. 72

The Gay & Lesbian History on Stamps Club (GLHSC) was founded in New York City in the spring of 1982.  The founders were Paul Hennefeld, Blair O’Dell, Brian Lanter, and Lambda Stamps.  On a Sunday afternoon, they met at the Greenwich Village restaurant, One Potato.  There plans were drawn up for the formation of the Club, and steps needed to gain American Topical Association (ATA) Study Unit status.

The founders received word in July of 1983 that their application for study unit status was rejected by the ATA Board of Directors.  No reason was given for the rejection.  For the next two years, GLHSC and ATA sent letters back and forth to try to come to an agreement on study unit status.  The Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund was contacted to help.  Study Unit status was finally granted by the ATA Board of Directors on June 20, 1985.

Nearly ten years later, GLHSC applied for Affiliate status with the American Philatelic Society (APS).  This time, there was no lengthy letter writing campaign, and GLHSC was granted APS Affiliate No. 205 on August 28, 1991.

The Lambda Philatelic Journal is the official publication of the Club.  It is published quarterly, and thrives on contributions from GLHSC members.

In 1996, the first membership directory was published.

GLHSC tries to hold a membership meeting at one of the various stamp shows across the United States.