Finding Aid to the Brian R. McNaught Collection, 1974-1991 Coll2014.070

Loni Shibuyama
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
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Los Angeles, California 90007
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Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Brian R. McNaught collection
creator: McNaught, Brian
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2014.070
Physical Description: 0.2 Linear Feet 1 carton.
Date (inclusive): 1974-1991
Abstract: Writings, clippings, correspondence, and administrative records, 1974-1991, documenting gay activist Brian R. McNaught. McNaught is a writer, spokesperson, and corporate consultant on gay and lesbian rights, sex education, and AIDS awareness. He has written extensively on his experiences as a gay man, particularly in relation to his Irish Catholic identity.

Biography

Brian R. McNaught was born on January 28, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Marquette University in 1970.
In the 1970s, McNaught served as president of the Detroit chapter of Dignity, a national organization of Catholic gays and lesbians. In 1974, when it was revealed that McNaught was a member of Dignity, the column he wrote for The Michigan Catholic, the newspaper of the Detroit archdiocese, was discontinued. He continued to work as a reporter for the newspaper, but was eventually fired.
McNaught turned his focus to sex education and research on homosexuality, and he was certified as a sex counselor by the American Association of Sex Educators in 1980. He became a syndicated columnist and writer for gay newspapers throughout the United States, and became a spokesperson on gay and lesbian rights, particularly in relation to the Catholic Church. He developed LGBT diversity workshops for corporations, and as of 2014 he continues to work as a spokesperson, writer, and consultant on LGBT issues, sex education, and AIDS awareness.
As of 2014, he lives with his partner, Ray Struble, and the two divide their time between Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Source: Guide to the Brian R. McNaught papers, circa 1970-2004, Collection #7590, Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library. Accessed at http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/RMM07590.html (October 8, 2014)
LaReau, Renee. "One-time Catholic columnist now pioneer for gays in workplace." National Catholic Reporter, October 21, 2005. Accessed at http://www.brian-mcnaught.com/pdfs/nationalcatholicreporter.pdf (October 8, 2014)

Conditions Governing Access

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

Conditions Governing Use

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.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was separated from the ONE Subject Files Collection, Coll2012-001. Donor and date of acquisition unknown.

Preferred Citation

[Box/folder #, or item name] Brian R. McNaught Collection, Coll2014-070, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, September 2014.

Scope and Contents

This artificial collection comprises writings, clippings, correspondence, and administrative records, 1974-1991, documenting gay activist, writer, and spokesperson, Brian R. McNaught. The bulk of the collection is clippings and manuscripts of McNaught's gay newspaper columns, particularly "A Disturbed Peace" in which he writes about his experiences as an Irish Catholic gay man. The correspondence and administrative records primarily document the activities of the Detroit chapter of Dignity, a national organization of gay and lesbian Catholics, in which McNaught served as president.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically.

Related Materials

Brian R. McNaught papers, #7590. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Catholic gays -- United States
Gay men's writings
Gays -- Correspondence
Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Catholic Church
McNaught, Brian
Dignity/USA

 

Brian McNaught collection

Box 1, Folder 1

Clippings by or about Brian McNaught 1974-1984

Box 1, Folder 2

Clippings, general 1974-1979

Box 1, Folder 3

Correspondence 1974-1976

Box 1, Folder 4

Dignity Detroit administrative records 1974

Box 1, Folder 5

McNaught writings and speaking engagement publicity 1974-1991