Victoria Schneider papers
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
2023
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
http://www.glbthistory.org/
Title: Victoria Schneider papers
Dates: 1993-1999
Collection Number: 2000-57
Creator/Collector:
Schneider, Victoria
Extent: 1.25 linear feet (1 manuscript box, one ½ manuscript box, and one small oversized box)
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: Victoria Schneider is an activist and sex worker best known for her lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco,
concerning an unlawful strip search during her booking at the San Francisco County Jail. The collection extensively documents
Schneider’s lawsuit against the city, as well as her personal history and gender transition.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
Copyright to material has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society. All requests for reproductions and/or permission
to publish or quote from material must be submitted in writing to the GLBT Historical Society Archivist.
[Identification of item]. Victoria Schneider papers. Collection Number: 2000-57. GLBT Historical Society
The collection was donated to the GLBT Historical Society by Victoria Schneider in 2000.
Biography/Administrative History
Victoria Schneider is an activist and sex worker best known for her lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco,
concerning an unlawful strip search during her booking at the San Francisco County Jail. Schneider had been placed in the
men’s cells, and had requested to be moved to the women’s; the search was ostensibly conducted to determine her gender. Born
intersex and assigned male, Schneider identified strongly as a woman and had transitioned to live as such. Schneider won her
lawsuit and was awarded $750,000 in damages from a federal jury.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection extensively documents Schneider’s lawsuit against the city, including correspondence with attorneys and supporters,
Schneider’s deposition (during which she was cross-examined at length about her gender identity), other legal documents, fliers
and press releases seeking public support, and related material. It also contains some personal items, such as correspondence
with supporters, photographs, makeup, and an extensive autobiography dictated to social worker and sex-work advocate Johanna
Breyer. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000130; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000384; http://2Fpurl.obolibrary.org/obo/LifO_0000064;
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_008503
Transgender people
Law
Law enforcement
Trans women
Sex work