Access
Publication Rights
Preferred citation note
Provenance note
Biographical note
Scope and contents note
Arrangement note
Title: Evander Smith--California Hall Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1964-1974
Collection Identifier: GLC 46
Creator:
Smith, Evander
Physical Description:
1 document case + 1 oversized folder
(0.5 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The collection contains case files and related materials for the legal defense of Evander Smith, Herbert Donaldson, Elliott
Leighton and Nancy May. They were arrested on January 1, 1965 as a result of police harassment at the Mardi Gras Ball sponsored
by the Council on Religion and the Homosexual.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred citation note
[Identification of item], Evander Smith--California Hall Papers (GLC 46), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance note
The Evander Smith--California Hall Papers were donated to The San Francisco Public Library by Paul Gabriel for Evander Smith
in 2002.
Biographical note
Evander Smith was a San Francisco lawyer who along with Herbert Donaldson was retained by the Council on Religion and the
Homosexual. The Council organized a Mardi Gras Ball that took place on January 1, 1965 at the California Hall. Anticipating
police harassment, Smith and Donaldson were asked to attend the event in case legal advice was necessary. The police took
photographs of attendees arriving and requested admission to the event on two occasions. The first was to examine whether
the event was in accord with rules regarding liquor; this was standard practice and the police were admitted to ascertain
that the event was in compliance. At a later time, the police asked for admittance again and were denied because they did
not have tickets for the private event and could provide no reason to enter. As a result, four people were arrested: Evander
Smith, Herbert Donaldson, Elliott Leighton and Nancy May.
Scope and contents note
Includes case files on the legal defense of Evander Smith, Herbert Donaldson, Elliott Leighton and Nancy May. The files contain
information on the events that took place, legal research on the laws pertaining to those events, information on jury selection,
materials concerning homosexuals and their treatment by authorities, clippings of newspaper coverage and some homosexual publications
of the time. There are copies of sermons or papers enclosed in Methodist Church services in January of 1965. There are a few
photographs of attendees and the police presence on January 1, 1965.
Arrangement note
The material is arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California Hall (San Francisco, Calif.).
Council on Religion and the Homosexual (San Francisco, Calif.).
Donaldson, Herb
Smith, Evander -- Archives
Assembly, Right of--United States.
Drag balls--California--San Francisco
Freedom of association--United States.
Freedom of expression--United States.
Gay liberation movement--California--San Francisco.
Gay men--Legal status, laws, etc.--California.
Gay rights--United States.
Gays--Legal status, laws, etc.--California.
Lesbians--Legal status, laws, etc.--California.
Police--Complaints against--California--San Francisco.
San Francisco (Calif.)--History--20th century
Trials--California--San Francisco.