Paula Lichtenberg papers

Title: Paula Lichtenberg papers

Dates: 1977-1984

Collection Number: 1989-01

Creator/Collector: Lichtenberg, Paula

Extent: 3 boxes (1 linear foot)

Repository: GLBT Historical Society

Abstract: The Paula Lichtenberg papers include materials related to various LGBT organizations and issues, including the Bay Area Committee Against the Briggs Initiative and the Coalition for Human Rights.

Language of Material: English

The collection is open for research. Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

[Identification of item]. Paula Lichtenberg papers. Collection Number: 1989-01. GLBT Historical Society

Gift of Paula Lichtenberg in 1998.

The Bay Area Committee Against the Briggs Initiative (BACABI) was a coalition organized to mobilize opposition to Proposition 6. John Briggs, an Orange County State Senator and son of a fundamentalist preacher, authored and fought for what was popularly called the Briggs Initiative. The proposed ballot initiative would have prohibited schools from employing persons "advocating a homosexual lifestyle." In November of 1978 the Initiative was soundly rejected by California voters. The Coalition for Human Rights (CHR), formed in 1977, was composed of community organizations and individuals for the purpose of helping to coordinate efforts involving human rights for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. They held monthly meetings, where issues of importance to the community were discussed, and conferences.

Paula Lichtenberg was co-chair of Bay Area Committee Against the Briggs Initiative (BACABI) and the papers include pro-gay support statements, correspondence, outreach documents, speeches and articles that illustrate BACABI’s visibility campaign in the Bay Area. There is a speaker’s manual that gives campaign theory and general instructions for speaking. The Campaign and Organizational plan outlines goals and guidelines of the role and responsibilities of different committees. There are flyers from the numerous speak outs, debates and rallies on Proposition 6. The minutes from the coordinating steering committees only cover October and November 1977. Paula Lichtenberg was corresponding secretary of Committee for Human Rights (CHR) and the bulk of the materials are from 1981 through 1983. The minutes of general membership meetings (1981 to January 1984) are extensive and include numerous resolutions. The folder on the Family Protection Act contains the right-wing legislation, notes concerning it, and discussion from a CHR conference on the Act. There is correspondence on various issues such as discrimination, violence, and local and state government actions. The Issues Committee file has a priorities of issues list. There is a small amount of press releases and letters from CHR of San Jose and Santa Clara. The third series of the Lichtenberg Papers consists of flyers and other materials from miscellaneous LGBT organizations and about LGBT-related issues generally dating from the late 1970's through 1980. The Gay Freedom Day Committee 1980 file includes some minutes, articles and flyers on lack of speakers at the parade. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_003201