Anthony (T.J.) Papers, 1980-1996

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
T.J. Anthony Papers,
Dates:
1980-1996
Creators:
Anthony, T.J. (Thesoloniki Richard), 1959-1996
Abstract:
Contains personal papers of T.J. Anthony, a gay activist who worked on social justice issues and shaped much of San Francisco's political agenda of the 1990s.
Extent:
1 carton, 1 oversized folder, 1 flat box (2.0 cubic feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], T.J. Anthony Papers (SFH 388), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Contains personal papers of T.J. Anthony. Includes letters, policy papers, campaign questionnaires, newsletters, political flyers, and U.S. Senate hearing transcripts. Of significance is a typescript copy of the preface to Mary C. Dunlap's unpublished book, Fighting Words, Mending Words. Also included are white papers from Richard Hongisto's 1991 campaign for mayor.

Biographical / historical:

T.J. Anthony was a gay activist who worked on social justice issues and shaped much of San Francisco's political agenda of the 1990s. Born in Michigan and named Thesoloniki Richard, Anthony was raised in foster homes. He said his personal experiences drove his commitment to help those less fortunate. He served as an aide to U.S. Senator Don Riegle of Michigan. He later worked as a political consultant and was instrumental in passing the city's Casatrophic Sick Leave Program and Needle Exchange Policy. He also authored 1993's Proposition X which eliminated city officeholder accounts. He was an aide to Supervisors Richard Hongisto and Barbara Kaufman. Anthony worked with Kaufman on the city's recognition of same-gender marriage; non-compliance with state Proposition 187, the anti-immigrant law; and the new City Charter. He advocated for women's reproductive choice and the state of Israel, and worked to defeat Judge Robert Bork's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Anthony died in 1996.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated to the San Francisco Public Library by Tab Buckner in 1997.
Processing information:

Tami J Suzuki

Arrangement:

Organized alphabetically by topic.

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Rules for Archival Description

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Tami J. Suzuki
Date Prepared:
2015
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2015-09-22T17:23-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

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:

[Identification of item], T.J. Anthony Papers (SFH 388), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website