Ariadne Kane Outreach Institute for Gender Studies Collection
Scope and Contents
Ariadne Kane is the founder of the Outreach Institute for Gender Studies, was the main coordinator for Fantasia Fair from 1975-2001, and is a sex and gender studies educator and activist. The collection documents Kane’s outreach work via the Institute, and also includes documents and audio and visual tapes collected from Fantasia Fair. The collection is separated into two series: Fantasia Fair (1977-2001) and Sex and Gender Education (1974-2001).
Series I, Fantasia Fair, documents the planning, preparation, and execution of Fantasia Fair, the longest running annual event for cross-dressers, transgender, and gender questioning people in the world. This series includes correspondence, pamphlets, and newsletters, photographs, audio and video tapes, and is arranged alphabetically.
Series II, Sex and Gender Education, documents the activities of organizations, conventions, and of public outreach programs in which Kane was involved, including the Outreach Institute for Gender Studies, the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, and the International Foundation for Gender Education. This series includes documents and specialty items, such as trophies and plaques, and is arranged alphabetically.
Dates
- Creation: 1974-2001
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Biographical Information:
Ariadne Kane (1936-) was born and raised in New York City. Kane received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biophysics, Mathematics and Chemistry at City College, New York in 1958 before commencing graduate work at New York University and the University of Buffalo. From 1966-1968, she taught overseas at St. Stephen's School in Rome and at the American College of Switzerland in Leysin. Kane eventually quit teaching, returned to the U.S., and went into designing. She later opened a travel agency, in addition to working as an educational consultant and realtor.
In 1971, Kane became the leader of the Boston Gamma chapter of Tri-Sigma, later renamed the Cherrystone Club. In 1974, Ari and other members of the Cherrystone Club including Betty Ann Lind, Betsy Shaw, and Linda Franklin conceived of the event now known as Fantasia Fair. First officially held in 1975 in Provincetown, Massachusetts, Fantasia Fair offered cross-dressers, transgender, and gender questioning people a safe place to express themselves. The Outreach Institute for Gender Studies, founded by Ari, coordinated and oversaw the fair until March of 2001 when its Board of Directors handed management to Real Life Experiences, Inc., headed by Dallas Denny. The fair has featured various events including the Fan/Fair Follies, the Fantasia Fashion Show, and an awards banquet, and has continuously featured various workshops and seminars designed to help attendees embrace their identities and succeed in their lives.
In conjunction with the fair, Kane founded the Human Outreach and Achievement Institute, renamed the Outreach Institute for Gender Studies in 1996. Through her work with the institute, Kane wrote numerous articles, attended various conferences, and coordinated workshops stressing the importance of sex and gender studies. From her work with the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, to the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, and the International Foundation for Gender Education, Kane continuously strove to increase trans visibility. She founded the Theseus Counseling and Consulting Service in 1985 in order to offer counseling, instruction, and health care resources specializing in gender and sex-related services.
Partial Extent
6.38 Linear Feet (13 boxes, 1 oversized folder)
Partial Extent
5.53 Gigabytes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Ariadne "Ari" Kane founded the Outreach Institute for Gender Studies. The Ari Kane Outreach Institute for Gender Studies Collection contains various documents, audio and video tapes, photographs, and awards. These items document the work conducted by Kane’s institute and the annual coordination of Fantasia Fair, considered the longest running annual event for cross-dressers, transgender, and gender questioning people in the world.
Arrangement of Materials:
Series I: Fantasia Fair, 1977-2001
Series II: Sex and Gender Education, 1974-2001
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Ariadne Kane.
Processing Information:
Sarah E. Witherspoon, 2018. Front matter updated in 2025 to more accurately reflect collection content.
- Title
- Guide to the Ariadne Kane Outreach Institute for Gender Studies Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- 2019-01-23
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2025: Front matter updated to more accurately reflect collection contents.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections & Archives Repository
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge CA 91330-8326 USA
818-677-4594
asksca@csun.edu