The collection comprises materials received, collected, and created by Dan Siminoski in the course of prosecuting his 1982 request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and the subsequent 1983 lawsuit, for copies of FBI documents relating to the Bureau's surveillance of gays and lesbians from 1950 to 1982. The materials include photocopies of approximately 2,200 documents (7,000 pages) from FBI Headquarters and various regional offices, relating primarily to the Daughters of Bilitis, Gay Activists Alliance, Gay Liberation Front, and the Mattachine Society, as well as indexes, summaries, and various statistical analyses of these documents. Additional materials include the legal filings in the case, litigation correspondence, drafts by Siminoski and his counsel of various legal filings, and materials relating to Siminoski's speaking tour and media campaign to publicize his lawsuit. Personal and professional materials in the collection include personal correspondence, copies and drafts of scholarly articles, conference presentations, Siminoski's syndicated column for Stonewall Features, and pieces for other publications; his academic vita; and his will.

Dan Siminoski was born in Los Angeles on January 1, 1947, to a progressive family. He displayed his commitment to human rights at an early age, when he co-chaired Mid-City Youth Against Proposition 14, a state-wide initiative to invalidate the California Fair Housing Law. He studied at the University of California at Berkeley, where he was involved in the Free Speech and anti-war movements and became the Berkeley co-chairman of Senator Eugene McCarthy's presidential campaign; he received a BA in Political Science and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1968. Before entering graduate school, Siminoski served as a staff investigator for the Fair Campaign Practices Committee in Washington, DC, and then as legislative aid to Senator Wayne Morse. He earned his MA with honors in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1970, when he was also awarded a Ford Fellowship. His doctoral research brought Siminoski back to Los Angeles where he came out in 1973 and became active in gay rights causes. In 1976-1977, he was an Instructor in the Social Sciences Department at Long Beach City College. He received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1978. In 1979-1980, he was Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Arizona State University, and in 1980-1981, he held the same position at the University of Missouri St. Louis. He was appointed Visiting Lecturer in Political Science at Texas Tech University in 1981.

19 archive boxes. 7.5 linear feet.

Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.