Craig (Robert F.) papers and photographs, 1934-2000, bulk Bulk, 1980-2000

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Summary

Title:
Robert F. Craig Papers and Photographs
Dates:
1934-2000, bulk Bulk, 1980-2000
Creators:
Craig, Robert F., 1934-2000
Abstract:
Personal and professional papers, photographs, negatives, slides, film, audiocassettes, a videocassette, and other material from businessman, publisher, and gay activist, Robert F. Craig, 1934-2000. Perhaps best known as owner of the Los Angeles-based gay newsmagazine, Frontiers, Craig was also instrumental in organizations such as Christopher Street West, Valley Business Alliance, Lobby for Individual Freedom and Equality (LIFE AIDS Lobby), and the West Hollywood Incorporation Committee. Materials document his activism in the gay community, personal life, military service, personal relationships, travels, and businesses he operated.
Extent:
7.8 linear feet. 1 archive box + 1 archive binder + 6 archive shoeboxes + 2 flat archive boxes.
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] Robert F. Craig Papers and Photographs, Coll2012-177, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection comprises personal papers, photographs, negatives, slides, film, audiocassettes, a videocassette, and other material from businessman, publisher, and gay activist, Robert F. Craig, 1934-2000. The papers include Craig's administrative records from Frontiers, LIFE AIDS Lobby, Californians Against Prop 22, and Christopher Street West. The papers also document Craig's personal life, including his education, military service, personal relationships, travels, businesses he operated, and other interests. The photographs and audiovisual material includes hundreds of photographs and negatives documenting events such as gay pride parades, LIFE AIDS Lobby fundraisers, drag queen pageants, parties; as well as his military experience and international travel. The realia includes items such as Craig's military uniform service ribbons and insignias, name badges, a Masonic Lodge apron, and Craig's leather vest from the gay bar he owned, Hayloft.

Biographical / historical:

Robert F. Craig was a longtime gay political activist, businessman, and owner of the Los Angeles-based weekly newsmagazine, Frontiers.

Born on May 22, 1934, Craig is a Los Angeles native who attended North Hollywood High School. He served four years in the US Air Force and was assigned to the military police, before entering the University of Southern California where he majored in accounting. He ran businesses, including a flower shop and a messenger service. By the 1970s, Craig became owner of the Hayloft, a Studio City gay bar.

In 1978, Craig co-founded the Valley Business Alliance, which serves as a chamber of commerce for gay and lesbian business owners. By the 1980s, he served as president of Christopher Street West, which organizes the Los Angeles gay pride parade and festival. In 1982, Craig helped found Frontiers with Greg Carmack and Jerry Hyde. Craig eventually became the sole owner, expanding the publication from a 16-page tabloid to a 168-page magazine that had as of 2000 a circulation of more than 86,000 in Southern California, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Shortly after starting Frontiers, Craig joined the drive to incorporate the West Hollywood neighborhood into a city, and in 1984, he was elected chairman of the West Hollywood Incorporation Committee. In 1986, Craig helped establish the Lobby for Individual Freedom and Equality (also known as LIFE AIDS Lobby) to fight in Sacramento for gay civil rights. The group successfully battled for increased AIDS funding and extension of protections under the state hate crime law to gays and lesbians.

A long time resident of the San Fernando Valley, Craig died of complications from AIDS on April 28, 2000.

Sources:

Woo, Elaine. "Robert F. Craig: Published Gay Magazine." Los Angeles Times, May 3, 2000, http://articles.latimes.com/2000/may/03/local/me-26127 (last accessed March 20, 2013).

Acquisition information:
Donor and date of acquisition unknown.
Processing information:

Formerly boxes 103-191A, 103-191B, 103-191C, 103-191D, 103-191E, 103-364, and 103-365. Collection processed by Monica Ramsy and Loni Shibuyama, March 2013.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in the following series:

Series 1. Personal and professional papers

Series 2. Photographs and audiovisual materials

Series 3. Realia

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Loni Shibuyama and Monica Ramsy
Sponsor:
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Date Prepared:
(c) 2013
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-05-01T14:46-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries 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.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] Robert F. Craig Papers and Photographs, Coll2012-177, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Location of this collection:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007, US
Contact:
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
Website