Finding Aid of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights Collection
Coll2012-181
Monica Ramsy
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: National March on Washington For Lesbian and Gay Rights Collection
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012-181
Physical Description:
3.7 Linear Feet
1 archive box, 1 archive carton, 1 archive flat box, 1 archive binder box
Date (inclusive): 1985-1988
Abstract: Correspondence, posters, flyers, programs, press releases, clippings, photographs, calendars, schedules, financial records
and organizing kits that document the proceedings and efforts of March on Washington committees and other participating groups
in the preparatory interval preceding the march, as well as the interim events that took place throughout the course of the
march itself. The 1987 National March on Washington was a six-day political rally for sexual minority rights that began on
October 11, 1987
Processing Information
Processing of this collection has been funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Formerly housed in box 103-310, March on Washington, 1987, Los Angeles Committee. Collection processed by Monica Ramsy.
Administrative History
The first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights took place on October 14, 1979. In the wake of this March, 1979 Marchers
and activists such as Joyce Hunter, Steve Ault, John O’Brien, Ray Hill and Howard Wallace began an open political discussion
in reaction to two salient sociocultural developments swept over the country. Primarily, the perceived rise of homophobia
under the aegis of the Reagan administration, as well as what was then understood as grossly inadequate government response
to the AIDS crisis, fomented political sentiments. These sentiments were made manifest in a document penned by Ault and Hunter
that proposed a new march. This document was circulated among national lesbian and gay organizations and conferences, raising
political consciousness about the prospect of a march. Another event that triggered an animated response from the gay and
lesbian community was the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Hardwick v. Bowers case, which prohibited sexual acts between same-sex
consenting adults in private settings. This Court ruling, which occurred mere days before the first organizing meeting on
July 17, 1986 in New York City, instilled the March on Washington movement with refreshed purpose and direction. During this
July conference, conference participants drafted a call for a new march and began preparations for a larger conference in
November of 1986 to which all lesbian and gay affiliated organizations would be invited. The November conference hammered
out the politics, major logistical issues, and organizing structure; moreover, two keystone actions—a non-violent civil disobedience
action at the Supreme Court and day of lobbying on Capitol Hill—were planned.
Related Archival Materials
Lou Ceci March on Washington Photographs, Coll2012-012, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California
Steve Taravella March on Washington Photograph Album, Coll2012-032, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Carolyn Newcomb March on Washington Photograph Album, Coll2012-086, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Sara Jorde March on Washington Photographs, Coll2012-111, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California
Separated Materials
Newspaper Front Pages
The Village Voice:
October 20, 1987; Vol. 32: No. 42
Workers World:
October 15, 1987; Vol. 29: No. 41
October 22, 1987; Vol. 29: No. 42
Serials
Equal Time:
October 28, 1987; Issue 145
Frontline:
Special Edition: March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights
Gay Community News:
October 4-10, 1987; Vol. 15: No. 12
October 14,
Off Our Backs:
October; Vol. xvii; No. 9
San Francisco Sentinel:
October 17, 1987; Vol. 15: No. 42
Seattle Gay News:
October 16, 1987; Vol. 14: No. 40
Programs
Culturally Yours
(The Lesbian and Gay People’s Alliance of the George Washington University); July 18, 1987
Let Freedom Ring
(Denver Women’s Chorus, Lesbian and Gay Bands of America, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.); October 10, 1987
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers wishing to publish material must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner of the material. Note that permission to publish does not constitute copyright clearance. ONE National Gay
& Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold copyright. It is the responsibility
of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials from the copyright holder(s).
Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Scope and Content
Correspondence, posters, flyers, programs, press releases, news clippings, photographs, calendars, schedules, financial records
and organizing kits that document the proceedings and efforts of March on Washington committees and other participating groups
in the preparatory interval preceding the march, as well as the interim events that took place throughout the course of the
march itself.
Preferred Citation
Box #, folder #, National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, Coll2012-181, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives,
USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Box 1, Folder 1
New York City National Conference
1986-1987
Box 1, Folder 3
Executive Board Meeting
1987
Box 1, Folder 4
National Steering Committee
1987
Box 1, Folder 6-10
National Committee
1985-1987
Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 1, Folder 11-21
Los Angeles Committee
1986-1987
Physical Description: [11 folders]
Box 3, Folder 3
Los Angeles Committee
1987
Box 1, Folder 22
Southern California Regional Support Network
1987
Box 1, Folder 23
Long Beach Area Committee
1987
Box 1, Folder 25
Related Events during the March on Washington
1987
Box 1, Folder 26
Civil Disobedience at the Supreme Court
1987
Box 1, Folder 28
Great American Yankee Freedom Band
1986
Box 1, Folder 29
The Great Magickal Caravan
1987
Box 1, Folder 31
S/M Leather Contingent
1987
Box 1, Folder 32
Champion of Lesbian and Gay Equality (COLAGE)
1987
Box 1, Folder 34
San Francisco Committee
1987
Box 1, Folder 36-38
Clippings
1986-1999
Physical Description: [3 folders]
Box 2, Folder 3
Flyers (National Committee)
1987
Box 2, Folder 4
Press Releases (National)
1987
Box 2, Folder 5
Flyers (Los Angeles Committee)
1987
Box 3, Folder 2
Proclamations, posters & resolutions
1987
Physical Description: [7 items]