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Finding Aid to the Brian Coyle Journals and Papers
Coll2013.107
Coll2013.107
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Title: Brian Coyle journals and papers
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2013.107
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 linear feet.
Date (inclusive): 1948-1992
Abstract: The collection consists of photographs; articles by and about Brian Coyle; electoral materials documenting his unsuccessful
senatorial, mayoral and city council campaigns, as well as his successful 1983 city council campaign; flyers; photocopies
of family correspondence and greeting cards; and photocopies of articles, papers, photographs and drawings from Coyle’s childhood,
high school and college years. A 1960s civil rights and anti-war activist who became the first openly gay Minneapolis City
Council member, Brian Coyle died of AIDS on August 23, 1991.
A 1960s civil rights and anti-war activist who became the first openly gay Minneapolis City Council member, Brian Coyle died
of AIDS on August 23, 1991. A community activist during his 20s, Coyle entered electoral politics in the late 70s, running
unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1978, for the mayor of Minneapolis in 1979, and, in 1981, for the Minneapolis City Council.
Coyle was elected to the Minneapolis City Council in 1983, and was chosen by his Council peers as Vice-President in 1990.
As a council member, Coyle was an advocate for senior citizens, the poor and homeless, people of color, and gays and lesbians.
He lobbied for increased AIDS funding, and his last and proudest political achievement was the passage, in 1990, of a local
domestic partners ordinance, at its time, the most progressive legislation of its kind in the Midwest. Coyle made his first
public disclosure about his HIV status in the fall of 1990 at the annual meeting of Lesbian and Gay Appointed and Elected
Officials. He went public about his HIV in the Twin Cities in April of 1991, making his disclosure an opportunity to educate
the citizens of Minneapolis about HIV. His health deteriorated quickly following his public disclosure.
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
This collection reflects the original chronological arrangement by the donor.
Materials donated to the International Gay & Lesbian Archives by Clark Miller in 1992-1993.
[Box/folder #, or item name] Brian Coyle journals and papers, Coll2013-107, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries,
University of Southern California.
Collection processed by Ian Stulberg, 2013.
The collection consists of photographs; articles by and about Brian Coyle; electoral materials documenting his unsuccessful
senatorial, mayoral and city council campaigns, as well as his successful 1983 city council campaign; flyers; photocopies
of family correspondence and greeting cards; and photocopies of articles, papers, photographs and drawings from Coyle’s childhood,
high school and college years. The collection also includes seven volumes of his personal journals, from the fall of 1989
up until days before his death. The journals focus on Coyle’s experience of his illness, including plans for his funeral.
Also included in the collection are newspaper obituaries and documents from his memorial service.
Seperated to one program collection:
Twin Cities Men's Chorus - March 1, 1986
The Names Project National Tour - 1988
The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt Minnesota Tour '88 - July 16-17, 1988
Official Pride Guide (Minneapolis, Minnesota) - June 17-27, 1988; 1990