Finding aid to the Cliff Anchor Papers, 1916, 1950s-2000
GLC 49
Finding aid prepared by Kerwin So
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
2006
Title: Cliff Anchor Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1916, 1950s-2000
Date (bulk): 1950-2000
Collection Identifier: GLC 49
Creator:
Anchor, Cliff
Physical Description:
6 cartons, 3 oversized folders
(6.0 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The collection documents the life of Cliff Anchor (also known as Michael Erickson), a gay rights activist, military man and
radio broadcaster. These documents include speeches, correspondence, papers related to military service, materials related
to Leonard Matlovich and Dr. Tom Dooley, documents related to radio station KRJB and American Legion Alexander Hamilton Post
#448, clippings, photographs, VHS videos, audiotapes, and artifacts.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.
Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Cliff Anchor Papers (GLC 49), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
The Cliff Anchor Papers were donated by Robert Booth, 2000.
Related materials
Researchers are encouraged to see also the Leonard P. Matlovich Papers at the GLBT Historical Society, as well as the Randy
Shilts Papers (GLC 43), LGBTQIA Center. Randy Shilts' book
Conduct Unbecoming: Gays & Lesbians in the U.S. Military (New York: Fawcett Columbine, 1994) discusses Anchor's relationships with both Matlovich and Tom Dooley.
Materials Transferred
Postcards were removed from this collection to the San Francisco History Center postcard collection. See Appendix A. Dr. Tom
Dooley's
Three Great Books is also cataloged separately though a photocopy copy of Cliff Anchor's inscription is included in this collection.
Biographical Note
Although Cliff Anchor was romantically involved with two men more famous than himself (namely, Dr. Tom Dooley and Vietnam
veteran Leonard Matlovich), he was an accomplished person in his own right--a military man, radio broadcaster, and gay rights
activist.
Anchor was born in Walton, Waterloo, England on August 20, 1936. At the age of 17, Anchor immigrated to Canada and changed
his name to Michael Erickson. In 1959, at the age of 23, he met his first lover, Dr. Thomas Dooley, a U.S. Navy doctor famous
for his work with Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Southeast Asia.
In the early 1960s, Anchor (then still known as Erickson) moved to San Francisco and began working in the radio industry.
He became a U.S. citizen in 1966, and joined the California National Guard in 1973, eventually reaching the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Around this time, he also began operating radio station KRJB-FM based in Monte Rio, California. KRJB-FM was notable not just
for the variety of programming it featured – from community affairs to music to military news – but it was also the very first
station in the country to air National Gay Network News.
In 1979, Anchor met gay rights activist Leonard P. Matlovich through mutual friends in San Francisco. A courtship ensued,
and the two agreed to settle down together in Guerneville, California. In 1985, Anchor sold KRJB-FM, and in 1988 Matlovich
died. With major chapters of his life coming to an end, Anchor decided to fully come out of the closet and also reclaim his
birth name – Cliff Anchor. Not forgetting his commitment to service for his country, Anchor volunteered for several military
intelligence missions in the early 1990s.
By the mid-1990s, Anchor was an outspoken advocate for gay rights at various levels, particularly within the U.S. Military.
He was featured prominently in the book
One Million Strong: The 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Rights, as well as the book
Conduct Unbecoming by Randy Shilts on gays in the military. By the end of his life, Anchor had served on a seemingly infinite number of civic
and activist posts, including Vice Commander of the Alexander Hamilton Post #448 of the American Legion in San Francisco,
the only GLBT post in the nation. Anchor died on July 18, 2000, at his home on the Russian River.
Scope and Contents
This collection comprises materials that Cliff Anchor, a prominent activist for gays in the military, authored or kept in
his private possession from 1959 to 2000. These documents include speeches, correspondence, papers related to military service,
materials related to Leonard Matlovich's memorial, documents related to radio station KRJB and American Legion Alexander Hamilton
Post #448, clippings, photographs, VHS videos, and artifacts.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into six series, with subseries as noted. Materials are arranged chronologically within each series
and subseries.
Series 1. Personal Correspondence and Papers
- General Personal Correspondence
- Volunteer Projects
- Materials Related to Tom Dooley
- Materials Related to Leonard Matlovich
Series 2. Professional Correspondence and Papers
- General Professional Correspondence
- Speeches and Editorials
- Alexander Hamilton Post #448
- KRJB Radio
- Military Intelligence Papers
- Campaign for Sonoma County Supervisor
- Certificates & Awards
Series 3. Clippings
- Articles written by Anchor
- Clippings about Anchor
- General clippings
Series 4. Audiovisual Materials
Series 5. Photographs
- Personal
- Dooley
- Matlovich
- Military
- Radio Station
Series 6. Artifacts
Subjects and Indexing Terms
American Legion. Alexander Hamilton Post No. 448 (San Francisco, Calif.).
Anchor, Cliff--Archives
Booth, Robert
Dooley, Thomas A., (Thomas Anthony), 1927-1961
KRJB (Radio station : Monte Rio, Calif.).
Matlovich, Leonard
Gay liberation movement--California--San Francisco.
Gay military personnel--United States.
Gay soldiers--United States.
Gays--California--San Francisco--Social life and customs--20th century.
Homophobia in the Armed Forces.
Radio broadcasters--California--Monte Rio.
San Francisco (Calif.)--Biography
Series 1
Personal Correspondence and Papers,
1950s-2000, undated
Physical Description:
17.0 folders
Arrangement
Arranged into four subseries: General Personal Correspondence, Volunteer Projects, Materials Related to Tom Dooley, and Materials
Related to Leonard Matlovich.Arranged chronologically, this subseries comprises various correspondence from Anchor’s family
and friends.
Subseries 1A
General Personal Correspondence,
1950s-2000, undated
Physical Description:
12.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises various correspondence from Anchor's family and friends.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 13
Subseries 1B
Volunteer Projects,
1989-1996
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises correspondence, flyers, and other papers related to Anchor's more prominent volunteer projects in
the gay rights and military spheres, including the Wall of Restitution art installation and Anchor's participation as a U.S.
Delegate at Large to NATO Conferences in 1989 and 1990.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Subseries 1C
Materials Related to Tom Dooley,
1960-1998, undated
Physical Description:
2.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises Anchor's remembrances of his relationship with Tom Dooley, and clippings related to Dooley's legacy.
It also includes a copy of the book
Dr. Tom Dooley's Three Great Books (New York: Farrar, Straus & Cudahy, 1956, 1958, 1960), with handwritten recollections by Anchor.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 14
Materials Related to Tom Dooley,
1960-1998, undated
Box 1, Folder 15
Dr. Tom Dooley's Three Great Books. Copy of inscription by Anchor,
undated
Subseries 1D
Materials Related to Leonard Matlovich,
1980-1999, undated
Physical Description:
2.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises material related to Anchor's spouse Leonard P. Matlovich, including correspondence between Anchor
and Matlovich's parents, and memorial planning and service documents. Several newspaper and magazine clippings honoring Matlovich's
memory are also included.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 16
Materials Related to Leonard Matlovich,
undated
Box 1, Folder 17
Materials Related to Leonard Matlovich,
1980-1999
Series 2
Professional Correspondence and Papers,
1950s-2000
Physical Description:
54.0 folders + 1 oversized folder
Arrangement
Arranged into seven subseries: General Professional Correspondence, Speeches and Editorials, Alexander Hamilton Post #448,
KRJB Radio, Intelligence papers, Campaign for Sonoma County Supervisor, and Certificates and Awards.
Subseries 2A
General Professional Correspondence,
1950s-2000, undated
Physical Description:
16.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises various correspondence related to Anchor's activity within the military and various organizations,
including gay rights and veterans groups.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Subseries 2B
Speeches and Editorials,
1973-2000, undated
Physical Description:
2.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises the text of speeches that Anchor delivered at public speaking events. It also includes letters to
the editor and editorials authored by Anchor that were published in various newspapers, including the
Russian River Times.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Subseries 2C
Alexander Hamilton Post #448,
1980s-1999, undated
Physical Description:
14.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises correspondence, newsletters, meeting agendas, member directories, and other documents related to
the American Legion Alexander Hamilton Post #448 based in San Francisco, California, the first openly gay and lesbian post
in the nation. Anchor served as Vice Commander and Press Officer of this post.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Subseries 2D
KRJB Radio,
1960s-2000, undated
Physical Description:
14.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises correspondence, radio show play lists, legal documents, and publicity related to the radio station
KRJB-FM based in Monte Rio, California, which Anchor operated from 1969 to 1985 with the assistance of Robert Booth.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Subseries 2E
Military Intelligence Papers,
1984-1999, undated
Physical Description:
4.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises material (including diaries of operations) related to Anchor's military intelligence missions for
the U.S. Government: one a secret mission in Panama in 1990 to deliver classified documents, the other a 1991-1992 mission
spying on arms dealers in the Middle East. Anchor's correspondence with federal intelligence agents is also included.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Subseries 2F
Campaign for Sonoma County Supervisor,
1987-1989, undated
Physical Description:
3.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises clippings, correspondence, publicity, research, and other materials related to Anchor's 1988 campaign
for Sonoma County Supervisor, 5th District, against incumbent Ernie Carpenter.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box 4, Folder 8, Oversize-folder 1
Subseries 2G
Certificates and Awards,
1960-1999, undated
Physical Description:
1.0 folder + 1 oversized folder
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises certificates and awards earned by Anchor throughout his professional life, primarily from military
and law enforcement positions.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Series 3
Clippings,
1950s-2000
Physical Description:
12.0 folders
Arrangement
Arranged into three subseries: Articles Written by Anchor, Clippings about Anchor, and General Clippings.
Box 4, Folder 9
Subseries 3A
Articles Written by Anchor,
1974-1996
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises general articles written by Anchor. Editorials and letters to editors of publications are filed in
Subseries 2B (Speeches and Editorials).
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box 4, Folders 10-11
Subseries 3B
Clippings about Anchor,
1966-1999, undated
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises press appearances by Anchor in newspapers and magazines.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Subseries 3C
General Clippings,
1950s-2000
Physical Description:
9.0 folders
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises a vast array of articles chronicling gays in the military, anti-gay religious figures, media programming,
and general gay rights issues.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Series 4
Audiovisual Materials,
1977-1997
Physical Description:
21.0 videotapes + 3 audiotapes
Scope and Contents
This series comprises VHS video tapes and audio tapes featuring Anchor and issues related to gays in the military.
Arrangement
Arranged by format and then chronologically.
VHS tapes
Physical Description:
21.0 videotapes
Box 5, Item 1
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force. U.S.A. Home Video. Dramatized version of Leonard Matlovich's discrimination suit against the military,
1977
Box 5, Item 2
People are Talking. San Francisco-based TV talk show with an audience segment featuring Anchor sharing his experience coming out to his adopted
son,
December 15, 1990
Box 5, Item 3
"KFTY." (1) TV news footage of Anchor returning his military awards in protest of federal anti-gay policies. (2) KOVR TV news
interview with outed soldier Col. Dave Eckert,
1991
Box 5, Item 4
KFTY-TV. (1) Sonoma county Board of Supervisors Meetings and debate about rejecting Gay Pride Week resolution (Anchor can
be spotted in the meeting). (2) Footage of 1st Annual Santa Rosa Gay Pride Parade,
June 1991
Box 5, Item 5
Congressman Frank Riggs Interview with Lt. Col. Cliff Anchor. Taped at Anchor's home in Guerneville, CA,
August 24, 1991
Box 5, Item 6
Veterans Day Sacramento. 1991 rally and speakers (uncredited home footage),
1991
Box 5, Item 7
Gay Veterans Day, Sacramento. TV news footage: KCRA-3, KXTV-10, KOVR-13,
November 7, 1992
Box 5, Item 8
Tribute to Lesbian and Gay Veterans 2nd Annual Event. Producer: RJ Finley,
November 7, 1992
Box 5, Item 9
Swann/ACLU vs. Navy Video Highlights. Includes printed contents list. Footage of Anchor's colleague Tom Swann in his fight
against discrimination in the U.S. Navy,
December 1992-October 1994
Box 5, Item 10
A Right to Serve? Gays in the Military. KEYT-TV/ABC documentary (one master and one dub copy),
1993
Box 5, Item 11
Alexander Hamilton Post #448 Press Conference. TV news coverage,
February 1993
Box 5, Item 12
March on Washington Events. GLBVA speakers,
1993
Box 5, Item 13
"Requiem for Unknown LGB Soldiers." Memorial Day 1993. (1) KPIX and KGO news coverage of protest event featuring excerpts
of Anchor's speech. (2) Public access cable channel discussion show "Class Struggle," featuring Anchor and gay veteran Chris
Bowman as guest speakers,
1993
Box 5, Item 14
GLAAD/SFBA home footage of Requiem for Unknown LGB Soldiers event. Memorial Day 1993,
1993
Box 5, Item 15
March on Washington (Part One). Home footage by John DeSalvio of Gay Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of America (GLBVA) events,
April-May 1993
Box 5, Item 16
March on Washington (Part Two). Home footage by John DeSalvio of the general rally and featured speakers,
April-May 1993
Box 5, Item 17
Straight from the Heart. Documentary featuring religious leaders discussing homosexuality,
1994
Box 5, Item 18
"The Gay Catholic Paradox." Andrew Sullivan speaking event at St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN,
February 2, 1995
Box 5, Items 19-20
ONE Institute Interview with Cliff Anchor (2 parts). Includes a printed listing of contents and topics discussed,
July 2, 1996
Box 5, Item 21
"In the Life." 1997 PBS special about gay struggles in America. Includes a very brief Matlovich epitaph and photo of Anchor,
1997
Audiotapes
Physical Description:
3.0 audiotapes
Box 5, Item 22
KRJB Halloween Promo. Anchor announcing on his radio station. Includes "Morning Theater" radio drama program with Anchor voicing
the characters,
1980
Box 5, Item 23
"Mrs. Matlovich". Answering machine tape with various messages. Includes a recorded casual phone conversation with Leonard
Matlovich's parents,
undated
Box 5, Item 24
National Guard News. Anchor announcing KRJB news program under the name of Mike Erickson,
January 1983
Series 5
Photographs and Negatives,
1959-1999
Physical Description:
6.0 folders
Box 6, Folder 1
Subseries 5A
Personal Photographs,
1965-1999
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises general personal photographs of Anchor with family and friends.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box 6, Folder 2
Subseries 5B
Tom Dooley Photographs,
1959, undated
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises photographs of Tom Dooley.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box 6, Folder 3
Subseries 5C
Leonard Matlovich Photographs,
1966-1997
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises photographs of events at Leonard Matlovich's memorial, as well as several photographs of Matlovich
himself.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
[AIC Leonard P. Matlovich, receiving Bronze Star, Vietnam 1966] [graphic]: 1966
[Cliff Anchor and others in front of memorial for Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, USAF] [graphic]: June 1995
[AIC Leonard P. Matlovich, receiving Bronze Star, Vietnam 1966] [graphic]: 1966
Box 6, Folder 4
Subseries 5D
Military Photographs,
1967-1998
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises photographs of Anchor in uniform at various military events.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
[Capt. Monroe, USAF, Sgt. Dennis McCune, Lt. Col. Cliff Anchor, WO Tom Norton, Sgts Tom Thompson & Max Woerner in front of
memorial for Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, USAF] [graphic]: 1993
[Sgt. Dennis McCune, Lt. Col. Cliff Anchor and Tom Norton] [graphic]: 1993
Box 6, Folder 5
Subseries 5E
Radio Station Photographs,
1963-1995
Scope and Contents
This subseries comprises photographs taken at Anchor's radio station, KRJB FM in Monte Rio, California.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Artifacts, Series 6
1916, 1950s-1999
(bulk, 1950-1999)
Physical Description:
18.0 items
Scope and Contents
Artifacts include Anchor's British passport, a Medal of Merit and one Membership Achievement Medal from the Alexander Hamilton
Post #448, a beret with pin of Alexander Hamilton Post #448, a few award plaques from the California National Guard, a single
chevron shoulder patch, a memorial plaque for Leonard P. Matlovich, buttons, and a bumper sticker. It also includes a copy
of the photo-documentary book
One Million Strong: the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights (Boston: Alyson Publications, 1993), which features handwritten recollections by Anchor. Also includes an application for
Joe Boyanosky for the Knights of Pythias.
Box 6, Folder 8
Medal of Merit (1) and Membership Achievement Medal (1) from Alexander Hamilton Post #448,
undated, 1999
Box 6, Folder 9
Beret with pin (Alexander Hamilton Post #448),
1996, undated
Box 6, Folder 10
Bronze Social Security badge with SSN and military title,
undated
Box 6, Folder 11
Chevron/Eagle shoulder patch,
undated
Box 6, Folder 12
Bumper Sticker: "Action=Life, Silence=Death,"
undated
Box 6, Folder 13
Sticker: "My Name is Mike and I'm Queer,"
1997
Box 6, Folder 14
Button: Tom Ammiano for School Board,
undated
Box 6, Folder 15
Button: Frisco Disco/Dance Your Ass Off Inc.,
undated
Box 6, Folder 17
Wallets (2) with identification cards,
undated
Box 6, Folder 18
One Million Strong by Cece Cox, Lisa Means and Lisa Pope (Boston: Alyson, 1993). Inscribed by Cliff Anchor to son, Robert Booth
1993
Box 6, Folder 19
Knights of Pythias application for Joe Boyanosky, Leonidas Lodge No. 36, Scio, Oregon,
December 26, 1916
Box 6
Award Plaque: Outstanding Support of California National Guard,
1984
Box 6
Award Plaque: Outstanding Support of the Broadcast Section, California Army National Guard,
February 1979-July 1985
Box 6
Memorial plaque for Leonard P. Matlovich
Oversize-folder 2
Poster: Lesbian & Gay Freedom Festival, Washington, D.C. (signed by Anchor's friends),
June 1996
Oversize-folder 3
Thank you "card" for Anchor signed by the attendees of one of his talks,
1994
Appendix A: List of San Francisco postcards removed to the San Francisco History Center postcard collection
Freedom SF event at Galleria Design Center
California Masonic Memorial Temple
Market Street and Woolworth's
Cable Car Turntable on Powell Street