Brad Brafford papers, 1971-2008, bulk 1978-1998

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Summary

Creators:
Brafford, Brad
Abstract:
This collection is comprised of files created by gay rights activist G.C. "Brad" Brafford of Orange County, California, primarily from 1972 until the late 1990s. Included are materials created and distributed by local, regional, and national gay/lesbian and other political advocacy and social support organizations, such as: newsletters, brochures, pamphlets and other publications; fundraising mailings; and fliers and other ephemera. Also included are meeting agendas, notes, and minutes; and correspondence.
Extent:
10.6 Linear Feet (27 boxes)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Brad Brafford Papers. MS-R146. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is comprised of files created by gay rights activist G.C. "Brad" Brafford of Orange County, California, primarily from 1972 until the late 1990s. Included are materials created and distributed by local, regional, and national gay/lesbian and other political advocacy and social support organizations: newsletters, brochures, pamphlets and other publications; fundraising mailings; and fliers and other ephemera. Also included are meeting agendas, notes, and minutes; and correspondence.

Regional organizations represented include The Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County (The Center OC), Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) of Orange County, the Gay and Lesbian Rights Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, and Christ Chapel Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). The many issues represented include the U.S. military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy on gay men and lesbians serving in the military; California Proposition 6 (The Briggs Initiative, 1978); and HIV/AIDS activism, education, and support.

Biographical / historical:

G.C. "Brad" Brafford (1929- ) is a gay rights activist and philanthropist in Orange County, California and an active member of several organizations concerned with gay and lesbian rights, AIDS education and support, political activism, women's rights, and electoral politics. In 1972 he was one of the founders of the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County (The Center OC), and he went on to serve on its first board of directors. He also served on the executive committee of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Orange County. He was very active in Christ Chapel Metropolitan Community Church in Santa Ana, California, and was involved with several gay social and recreation groups.

Born on May 5, 1929, Brafford was a surveyor by occupation and a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He served in the U.S. Navy until he was discharged in 1951 due to his sexual orientation.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Brad Brafford, 2009-2010.
Processing information:

Processed by Dawn Schmitz, 2011.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in 2 series:

  • Series 1. Subject files, 1973-2006, 0.8 linear feet
  • Series 2. Organizations, 1971-2008, 9.8 linear feet

Most of the materials were kept in their original order within files when refoldering, although the order of the files was changed to bring together the files of a particular organization. For the most part, dates on the folders reflect the dates the files were compiled, and the folders may contain a small amount of material from years prior to those indicated.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

Preferred citation:

Brad Brafford Papers. MS-R146. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Location of this collection:
P.O. Box 19557
Irvine, CA , US
Contact:
(949) 824-3947
spcoll@uci.libanswers.com
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