Paula Lichtenberg papers
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
2023
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
http://www.glbthistory.org/
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
The collection is open for research.
Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
[Identification of item]. Paula Lichtenberg papers. Collection Number: 1989-01. GLBT Historical Society
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
Politics and elections