Collection context
Summary
Background
- Scope and content:
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The collection contains meeting minutes, flyers, bylaws, press releases, proposals, policy statements, articles, pamphlets, surveys, advertisements, clippings, event programs, constitution, and other material documenting the activities of the Society for Individual Rights (SIR). The publications include brochures and two editions of the S.I.R. Pocket Lawyer which contained instructions on one's rights if arrested. Also of note are: the SIRlebrity Capades programs from the mid-1960s with photos and short biographies of performers; and, early issues of Vanguard.
- Biographical / historical:
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Founded in San Francisco in 1964, the Society for Individual Rights (SIR)'s goals included public affirmation of gay and lesbian identity, elimination of victimless crime laws, providing a range of social services (including legal aid) to "gays in difficulties," and promoting a sense of a gay and lesbian community. SIR demanded equal rights and decried government-sanctioned discrimination.
- Acquisition information:
- The collection combines 2 folders of SIR material that the library owned with two small accessions received from Lou Harrison and from Robert Berner before 1996. Harrison was a member of SIR and his donation did not contain any personal material. Berner was on the Publications Committee and some of the material he donated relates to drafts of SIR-published materials.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
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The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours.
- Terms of access:
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All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
- Preferred citation:
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Society for Individual Rights Collection. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
- Location of this collection:
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San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567