Title: L1992.16 The Bridget Wilson Papers

Dates: 1980-1993

Collection Number: L1992.16

Creator/Collector: Bridget Wilson

Extent: .2 linear feet

Repository: Lambda Archives of San Diego

Abstract: Bridget Wilson is most known for her lifetime to commitment to activism and her service in the Judge Advocate Corps of the California State Military. As a child in Nebraska, Wilson was girl selected for her High School’s then-boy’s rifle team, leading to other schools in the area refusing to compete against them. Wilson served in the United States Army Reserves from 1977-1980, with an honorable discharge and several commendations. Wilson trained and worked as a nurse until 1987; during her time as a nurse, she was a staff member of the notable Dr. Brad Truax.

Language of Material: English

Open for research

L1992.16 The Bridget Wilson Papers. Lambda Archives of San Diego

Bridget Wilson is most known for her lifetime to commitment to activism and her service in the Judge Advocate Corps of the California State Military. As a child in Nebraska, Wilson was girl selected for her High School’s then-boy’s rifle team, leading to other schools in the area refusing to compete against them. Wilson served in the United States Army Reserves from 1977-1980, with an honorable discharge and several commendations. Wilson trained and worked as a nurse until 1987; during her time as a nurse, she was a staff member of the notable Dr. Brad Truax. Wilson then entered the legal field and graduated from University of San Diego School of Law. During her time as a student at the university, Wilson was a founding member of the Gay and Lesbian Law Student Association. She then opened her own practice and formed her law firm in 1997 where she focused on military, civil litigation, business, employment, and personal injury law. Wilson is a pioneer in LGBT communities nation-wide. She marched in the earliest gay pride parades at a time when some people wore paper bags over their heads to prevent identification. She was an original volunteer for The Center in 1973 and served on the planning committee for the Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade from 1974-1979. In the 1980’s Wilson was involved in the San Diego Democratic Club, United San Diego Elections Committee, and the AIDS Foundation. Bridget has used her legal expertise to aid the LGBT community across the nation, working with groups such as the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association, the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the ACLU, and the Tom Homann Law Association. Wilson is best known for her work with LGBT veterans and servicemembers. She is a charter member of the San Diego Veterans Association and American Veterans for Equal Rights and a co-coordinator for the Dixon Defense Group that defended seven Navy women from a lesbian witch-hunt that received national publicity.

This collection contains one hand-written paper describing T-shirts, one plaque in memory of Dr. Brad Truax from San Diego Walks for Life 1989, transfer of ownership papers, and separation sheets.