Jay Hollenburger, Arthur Slaughter, and Gary Grether (JAG) Photographs
This one-of-a-kind photography collection of John Joseph (”Jay”) Hollenburger, Jr., Arthur (”Art”) Phillip Slaughter, and Gary Grether contains 9,700 Polaroid photographs and slides. Handwritten on the back of almost all the Polaroid photographs are people’s full names, dates, and event descriptions (e.g., “Christmas”).
The photographs and slides were made between 1964 to 1991 documenting the social gatherings of Jay Hollenburger, Jr., Art Slaughter, and Gary Grether, a Houston-based throuple in a relationship for more than 25 years. Within their social network, Jay, Art, and Gary were collectively known as “JAG”, bringing together the first letters of each of their first names. A metal item was adhered to the brick wall of JAG’s balcony. The item was their “logo,” fusing the first letter of each of their names: lower-case letters ‘j’ (in red), ‘a’ (in red/blue), and ‘g’ (in red/blue/yellow). Their logo is documented in some of the photographs in the collection.
This unique photography collection was featured in the catalog for the 65th Annual New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) in 2025. It gained some attention online via social media with articles published in the online version of The Advocate and Hyperallergic in an article about the NYIABF.
Dates
- 1964-1991
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is not yet fully processed. For questions about materials in this collection or to request access, contact curator Joyce Gabiola [email protected]
Extent
3 linear feet
Additional Description
Biographical / Historical
Jay Hollenburger: John Joseph ("Jay") Hollenburger Jr., was born in Livingston, Texas in 1941. He attended Livingston public schools and pursued higher education at the University of Houston and Rice University (Class of 1963). Hollenburger traveled extensively around the United States and around the world with his partners, Art Slaughter and Gary Grether. He was also known for his “interests in art, architecture, history, and design, [as] a hallmark of his life.” Hollenburger passed away on September 27, 2024, at 83 years of age. Art Slaughter and Gary Grether predeceased him, as well as his parents, John Hollenburger, Sr. and Corene Brock Hollenburger.
Art Slaughter: Arthur “Art” Philip Slaughter was born in 1941 in Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico. He attended the American School in Rosita, Mexico, graduated from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, Rice University, and Bates College of Law at the University of Houston. He was known for his involvement in civic and charity organizations such as the Diana Foundation and the Cherryhurst Civic Club. He was also the Assistant Secretary and General Counsel for the Air Liquide America Corporation. Slaughter passed away on April 6, 1995, at the age of 53, from AIDS complications.
Gary Grether: Gary Lee Grether was born in Houston, Texas on August 12, 1947. He graduated from Lamar High School and Rice University. He was an architect and Vice President of Gensler and Associates, Architects. At the time of his death, he was survived by his partners in life, Arthur Slaughter and Jay Hollenburger. Grether passed away on January 19, 1990, at the age of 42, from AIDS complications.
Houston’s Throuple: Jay Hollenburger, Art Slaughter, and Gary Grether were an openly gay throuple in Houston with a well-documented and photographed social and personal life. Hollenburger and Slaughter met at Rice University in the 1960s and were an openly gay couple by 1961. In 1969, Grether was an acquaintance of Jay and eventually a good friend. By 1970, Grether had entered the relationship, and the throuple was known as “JAG.”
Collecting Areas
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title
- Hollenburger, Jay; Slaughter, Arthur; and Grether, Gary (JAG) Photographs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the University of Houston Libraries Special Collections Repository
University of Houston Libraries Special Collections
MD Anderson Library
4333 University Drive
Houston TX 77204-2000 USA
713-743-9750