Mirken (Bruce) Journalism Research Files, 1973-2006, undated, bulk 1991-2001

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Summary

Title:
Bruce Mirken Journalism Research Files,
Dates:
1973-2006, undated, bulk 1991-2001
Creators:
Mirken, Bruce, 1956-
Abstract:
Bruce Mirken is a San Francisco-based journalist, advocate, and public relations officer. His journalism research files and audiotapes cover many issues of concern to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Some of his major story subjects include AIDS and HIV care and research, AIDS drugs and pharmaceutical companies, AIDS dissidents or denialists, AIDS activism, Coors Beer and the Coors boycott, the Boy Scouts of America, institutionalized youth, the San Francisco Department of Public Health and its budget, and the San Francisco Police Department.
Extent:
20.0 boxes (18.5 cubic feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Bruce Mirken Journalism Research Files (GLC 95), Gay and Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Mirken's journalism research files and audiotapes cover many issues of concern to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Some of the major story subjects include AIDS and HIV care and research, AIDS drugs and pharmaceutical companies, AIDS dissidents or denialists, AIDS activism, Coors Beer and the Coors boycott, the Boy Scouts of America, institutionalized youth, the San Francisco Department of Public Health and its budget, and the San Francisco Police Department.

Biographical / historical:

Bruce Mirken is a San Francisco-based freelance journalist, advocate, and public relations officer. Born in Los Angeles, California, on May 13, 1956, Mirken lived in and around Los Angeles until 1993 when he moved to San Francisco. He has remained in San Francisco ever since, except for a short period of time in Washington, D.C.

Circa 1989-1990 Mirken was a founding board member of the Los Angeles Chapter of GLAAD [Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation], which at the time was a loose federation of local chapters. He was on the board for about a year but stepped down due to outside commitments. He was connected with ACT-UP in Los Angeles, and, later, ACT-UP Golden Gate/Survive AIDS in San Francisco.

Mirken has written extensively on health, particularly HIV/AIDS, and gay and lesbian issues. His news, feature and investigative stories have appeared in a variety of magazines and newspapers, including Men's Health, California Hospitals, Clinical Highlights Reporter, BETA, POZ, AIDS Treatment News, the San Francisco Examiner, The Advocate, East Bay Express, Boston Phoenix, Los Angeles Reader, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Parent.TEEN and Baltimore City Paper. His op/ed columns have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Miami Herald, Detroit Free Press, Baltimore Sun and dozens of other newspapers across the United States. His reporting on the AIDS denialist movement is highly regarded.

He is the winner of many awards for journalistic excellence. He is the winner of two Gay and Lesbian Press Association Outstanding Achievement Awards and nine Vice Versa Awards for Excellence in the Gay and Lesbian Press. Mirken's articles have been reprinted in a variety of anthologies.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated in three accessions: 11 cartons in 2001; 2 cartons in 2002 with Coors Brewing Company research and articles; and 13 cartons in 2008.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into two series: Series 1. Journalism Research Files; and, Series 2. Audiotapes and Microcassette Tapes.

Physical location:
The Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Tim Wilson
Date Prepared:
2014
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-12-09T10:36-0800

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

Bruce Mirken retains copyright until his death at which time copyright transfers to the San Francisco Public Library.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Bruce Mirken Journalism Research Files (GLC 95), Gay and Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website