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Finding aid of the Concerned Americans for Individual Rights (CAIR) Records
Coll2008-056  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
Position papers, correspondence, financial reports, planning papers, press releases and other materials relating to Concerned Americans for Individual Rights (CAIR), an organization of moderate to conservative gay and lesbian members of the Republican party formed by Bruce Decker to work to change the negative image of the GLBT community within the party and to counter the rising influence of the Religious Right. The materials date from the foundation of the organization in the spring of 1984 until the spring of 1985.
Background
Concerned Americans for Individual Rights (CAIR) was formed in the spring of 1984 by Bruce B. Decker (1950-1995), a gay Republican political consultant who had served as an advance man for President Gerald R. Ford and Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller. Decker intended CAIR to be a national organization of moderate and conservative gays and lesbians whose goal was to expand Republicans' awareness of GLBT issues and to counter the rising influence of the religious right. The original Board of Directors consisted of Decker, Robert Bauman, Leonard Matlovich and Bonnie McGinley, who succeeded Decker as president in December 1984. Little is known about the activities of the organization: a national convention was announced for April 5-7, in Dallas, at which congressman Bill Green (R-NY) was to speak, but the extant records end before the event was scheduled to be held. In January 1986, the organization honored the two Log Cabin Clubs of Southern California ( Advocate, February 18, 1986, p. 26). Christopher Hitchins states that the organization was "shipwrecked by the AIDS crisis", although it continued to exist, at least on paper, as late as 1993 ( For the Sake of Argument, 1993, p. 53).
Extent
1 archive half-carton. 0.25 linear foot.
Restrictions
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).
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.