Hitchens (Donna) Papers, 1950-2017, bulk 1975-1990

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Summary

Title:
Donna Hitchens papers
Dates:
1950-2017, bulk 1975-1990
Creators:
Hitchens, Donna J.
Abstract:
The Donna Hitchens papers contains materials related to her professional career prior to her election as San Francisco Superior Court judge in 1990. Hitchens was the nation's first openly lesbian elected judge and founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The collection contains law course materials, subject files, reports, conference and Board materials, newsletters, publications, a small amount of correspondence and audiotapes related to LGBT civil rights issues. Prominent topics include AIDS and lesbian parenting/motherhood; organizations represented include Lambda Legal Defense Fund; National Center for Lesbian Rights (formerly the Lesbian Rights Project); and the National Education Foundation for Individual Rights. Materials donated in 2025 include newspaper clippings, correspondence, and awards documenting public reactions to Hitchens’ career as an attorney and judge.
Extent:
4.75 linear feet (three cartons and 1 oversized box)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Donna Hitchens papers. GLBT Historical Society

Background

Scope and content:

The Donna Hitchens papers contains materials related to her professional career prior to her election as San Francisco Superior Court judge in 1990. Hitchens was the nation's first openly lesbian elected judge and founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The collection contains law course materials, subject files, reports, conference and Board materials, newsletters, publications, a small amount of correspondence and audiotapes related to LGBT civil rights issues. Prominent topics include AIDS and lesbian parenting/motherhood; organizations represented include Lambda Legal Defense Fund; National Center for Lesbian Rights (formerly the Lesbian Rights Project); and the National Education Foundation for Individual Rights. Materials donated in 2025 include newspaper clippings, correspondence, and awards documenting public reactions to Hitchens’ career as an attorney and judge. GSSO Linked Terms: http://2Fpurl.obolibrary.org/obo/LifO_0000064; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000381; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_003201

Biographical / historical:

Donna Hitchens was the United States’ first openly lesbian elected judge and the founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). Hitchens graduated from the University of California, Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law in 1977, and founded the organization that became the NCLR immediately afterward. Initially focused solely on issues of concern to lesbians – including custody, adoption, and employment – it now represents gay, bisexual, and transgender clients as well. In 1990, Hitchens was elected to the San Francisco Superior Court, and in 2002 she became its Presiding Judge. She retired from the bench in 2010.

Acquisition information:
Addition in November 2025.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff.
Date Prepared:
1950-2017, bulk 1975-1990
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Preferred citation:

Donna Hitchens papers. GLBT Historical Society

Location of this collection:
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, CA 94103, US
Contact:
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
Website