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Finding aid to the Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles (MECLA) records, 1977-1991
Coll2012.160
Coll2012.160
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Table of contents
Title: Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles (MECLA) records
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012.160
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.5 linear feet.
1 archival box + 3 archival cartons
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1983-1985
Date (inclusive): 1977-1991
Abstract: The Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles records document the business functions, fundraising operations, and outreach
programs of the political action committee during its existence from 1977-1991. The bulk of the collection comprises board
meeting minutes, agendas, and financial reports, as well as correspondence to and from political figures lobbying for support
of gay and lesbian rights.
creator:
MECLA (Organization). Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles.
This collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1. MECLA records, 1977-1991
Established in 1977 by members of the Orion gay men's consciousness raising group, the Municipal Elections Committee of Los
Angeles (MECLA) was a political action committee supporting and contributing funds to political candidates in favor of human
rights and, in particular, gay and lesbian rights. Although there were some administrative changes over the years, MECLA's
executive structure consisted of two co-chairs, up to 16 members of the board of directors, and numerous ex-officio directors
forming a board of governors. The directors were broken down by pairs into committees that controlled the day-to-day and long
range functions of the business. As a show of their support of both gay and lesbian rights, the constituency of these groups
was split evenly by males and females.
Initially focused on issues at the city and county level, MECLA's sphere of influence rapidly expanded to include political
support of gay rights at the state and federal level. MECLA's first political victory was the passage of a Los Angeles city
ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. At the state level, MECLA fought against California’s Proposition
6, known as the Briggs Initiative, defeating legislation aimed at keeping gay teachers out of the classroom. MECLA played
a role in striking down Proposition 64, the LaRouche Initiative, classifying AIDS as a communicable disease. MECLA helped
push Assembly Bill 1 through the California legislature to end statewide discrimination based on sexual orientation, although
it was later vetoed by the governor.
Not all of MECLA’s work was viewed favorably by the gay population. MECLA’s directors actively opposed the presence of gay
bath houses in Los Angeles and worked for their closure at the height of the 1980s AIDS epidemic.
MECLA was widely known for its fundraising events, the largest of which were the MECLA anniversary parties held every spring.
Hollywood celebrities and politicians at every level would gather at these parties and dinners, raising six-figure bounties
which were directly funneled to MECLA’s causes. One of the more successful events was a dinner with Congresswoman Geraldine
Ferraro, the first female nominee for the Vice Presidency. With the goal of sensitizing politicians and the community at large
to the issues affecting the gay community, MECLA also participated in community events, voter registration drivers, speaking
engagements, and efforts to put gays in government appointed posts. MECLA ceased operations in April 1991.
Source: Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles (MECLA) records, Coll2012.160, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los
Angeles, California
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Source and date of acquisition unknown.
Box #, folder #, Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles (MECLA) records, Coll2012.160, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives,
USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Collection processed by Erick Hawkins, November 1, 2012.
Larry Sprenger Papers, Coll2012.167, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California
The Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles records document the business functions, fundraising operations, and outreach
programs of the political action committee during its existence from 1977-1991. The bulk of the collection comprises records
maintained while MECLA was co-chaired by Larry Sprenger and Carol E. Childs from 1983-1985. The collection consists of board
meeting agendas and minutes, financial reports and associated records, correspondence to and from elected officials, and records
relating to the administrative and functional operations of the 17 formal committees of the board. Also included are fliers,
direct mailings, and video recordings of MECLA anniversary dinners.
ACLU of Southern California
Lesbian & Gay Rights Chapter News, March 1984
Society for Senior Gay & Lesbian Citizens Newsletter, Volume 1, No 1
The Log, July-August 1984, Volume 3, No 2
Update, No. 146, October 3, 1984; No. 169, March 20, 1985; No. 191, August 21, 1985; No. 203, November 13, 1985; No. 377, March 15,
1989
People, August 12, 1985; September 23, 1985; October 21, 1985
Newsweek, August 12, 1985
MECLA, Spring 1981; Winter/Spring 1982; Summer 1983; Winter 1983; April 1984; June 1984; Mid-Winter 1984; November 1984; February
1985; August 1985; January 1986; Winter/Spring 1988
Los Angeles Herald Examiner, Volume 113, No 314, March 11, 1984
Midnight Alarm, Volume 2, No 4, Spring-Summer 1985
Friends of the Center Roast of Gayle Wilson, program
AGLA, fifth media awards program
ECCO, 1984 dinner program and calendar
The Honor Roll: A narrative portrait of the California State Assembly by Willie L. Brown, Jr., undated
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gays--Legal status, laws, etc.--United States--California
Gays--Political activity
Homosexuality--Law and legislation--California
Homosexuality--Political aspects--California--Los Angeles