Thom Higgins Papers

Thomas Lawrence “Thom” Higgins was born June 17, 1950, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He was the son of Leo and Kay Higgins. He attended high school at Assumption Abbey in Richardton, North Dakota. After attending the University of North Dakota in 1967 on a special summer program for gifted high school juniors, he decided to enroll at the University. At UND, he was the Arts and Entertainment editor of the Dakota Student, as well as a writer for In Which, a publication of the Honors Program. He was a member of the Young Democratic Club of North Dakota, the Interdorm Council. He performed in UND music and theatre including Varsity Bards and the play MacBird! (see UA 138 Theatre Arts Department Records, Box 1 Folder 24). He was also involved in the production of an underground newspaper entitled the Snow Job. This publication resulted in his suspension from UND in March 1968. Following this, Higgins did not return to UND. He instead moved to Twin Cities, where he became a gay activist. He became one of the four Archons (ministers) in the Church of the Chosen People, which advocated homosexuality as a "healthy and fulfilling personal option." He was also known for throwing a pie in the face of anti-gay activist Anita Bryant on October 14, 1977, in Des Moines, Iowa. He worked in various professions during his life, including nursing and advertising. He was a voracious reader, who also enjoyed collecting art and listening to music. Thom Higgins died November 10, 1994, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

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