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Steve Speier-Chuck Frutchey Papers
GLC 192
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Table of contents
Title: Steve Speier-Chuck Frutchey Papers
Dates: 1955, 1971-1993 (bulk 1980-1993)
Collection Number: GLC 192
Creator/Collector:
Speier, Steve.
Frutchey, Chuck.
Extent: 3 cartons + 27 mounted posters (in 3 oversized boxes)
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: The collection contains material on AIDS prevention education (1980s-1993), San Francisco politics (1970s-1980s), and Harvey
Milk.
Language of Material: English
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Steve Speier-Chuck Frutchey Papers. San Francisco Public Library. James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
Donated by Steve Speier, August 2017
Biography/Administrative History
Chuck Frutchey (August 12, 1953-April 21, 2000) was born in Farmington, Michigan, and lived in San Francisco. He was best
known for his work as an AIDS prevention educator with the STOP AIDS Project, the Coalition for Healthy Sex, and the San Francisco
AIDS Foundation. His sex-positive approach made safe-sex education fun and informative. Steve Speier, Chuck's partner, is
a high school teacher who also volunteered with AIDS education work. Scott Smith (October 21, 1948-February 4, 1995) was one
of Chuck's close friends; they lived and worked together. Smith was also one of the executors of the Harvey Milk estate. He
inherited the Milk Papers and was the caretaker for the collection until his death.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection contains about one carton of materials on AIDS education as a result of the work that Frutchey and Speier
did. Subjects include the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the STOP AIDS Project, Buddy Connection, and SF Jacks. There are
27 AIDS education posters. About half of the posters were produced by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation; the other half were
produced internationally, most in Germany.
There are two cartons which contain a combination of materials that were created or collected by Chuck Frutchey, Scott Smith,
or Harvey Milk. Frutchey's files concern various subjects, primarily politics, gay rights, sexuality, and art. The political
materials include the Citizens Party, the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club, and election materials from the 1970s.
The Milk-related material stems from Smith's position as executor of Milk's estate and caretaker of the Milk Papers. These
documents primarily concern permissions to use Milk's speeches and legal documents regarding death benefits, etc. It is likely
that this Milk material was originally with the papers that Smith inherited and became separated from that larger collection.
Notable items are a letter from Milk to Smith from May 22, 1974 (Milk's birthday) and a page of typewritten notes that appear
to be from a debate with John Briggs. There is also a photocopy of a letter from Milk to Tom [O'Horgan, probably], from 1978.
AIDS (Disease).
AIDS (Disease)-Education.
AIDS (Disease)-Prevention.
Safe sex in AIDS prevention.
Milk, Harvey.
Smith, Joseph Scott.