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Paula Lichtenberg papers
1989-01  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Biography/Administrative History
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Indexing Terms
  • Additional collection guides

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Paula Lichtenberg papers
    Dates: 1977-1984
    Collection Number: 1989-01
    Creator/Collector: Lichtenberg, Paula
    Extent: 3 boxes (1 linear foot)
    Repository: GLBT Historical Society
    San Francisco, California 94103
    Abstract: The Paula Lichtenberg papers include materials related to various LGBT organizations and issues, including the Bay Area Committee Against the Briggs Initiative and the Coalition for Human Rights.
    Language of Material: English

    Access

    The collection is open for research. Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item]. Paula Lichtenberg papers. Collection Number: 1989-01. GLBT Historical Society

    Acquisition Information

    Gift of Paula Lichtenberg in 1998.

    Biography/Administrative History

    The Bay Area Committee Against the Briggs Initiative (BACABI) was a coalition organized to mobilize opposition to Proposition 6. John Briggs, an Orange County State Senator and son of a fundamentalist preacher, authored and fought for what was popularly called the Briggs Initiative. The proposed ballot initiative would have prohibited schools from employing persons "advocating a homosexual lifestyle." In November of 1978 the Initiative was soundly rejected by California voters. The Coalition for Human Rights (CHR), formed in 1977, was composed of community organizations and individuals for the purpose of helping to coordinate efforts involving human rights for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. They held monthly meetings, where issues of importance to the community were discussed, and conferences.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    Paula Lichtenberg was co-chair of Bay Area Committee Against the Briggs Initiative (BACABI) and the papers include pro-gay support statements, correspondence, outreach documents, speeches and articles that illustrate BACABI’s visibility campaign in the Bay Area. There is a speaker’s manual that gives campaign theory and general instructions for speaking. The Campaign and Organizational plan outlines goals and guidelines of the role and responsibilities of different committees. There are flyers from the numerous speak outs, debates and rallies on Proposition 6. The minutes from the coordinating steering committees only cover October and November 1977. Paula Lichtenberg was corresponding secretary of Committee for Human Rights (CHR) and the bulk of the materials are from 1981 through 1983. The minutes of general membership meetings (1981 to January 1984) are extensive and include numerous resolutions. The folder on the Family Protection Act contains the right-wing legislation, notes concerning it, and discussion from a CHR conference on the Act. There is correspondence on various issues such as discrimination, violence, and local and state government actions. The Issues Committee file has a priorities of issues list. There is a small amount of press releases and letters from CHR of San Jose and Santa Clara. The third series of the Lichtenberg Papers consists of flyers and other materials from miscellaneous LGBT organizations and about LGBT-related issues generally dating from the late 1970's through 1980. The Gay Freedom Day Committee 1980 file includes some minutes, articles and flyers on lack of speakers at the parade. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_003201

    Indexing Terms

    Politics and elections

    Additional collection guides