Finding aid to the Edgar Sandifer papers Coll2011-012

Medria Martin and Kyle Morgan
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
© 2012, 2015
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
askone@usc.edu


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Edgar (Eddie) Sandifer papers
creator: Sandifer, Edgar
creator: Mississippi Gay Alliance
creator: Jackson Gray Panthers
creator: Mississippi Gay/Lesbian Alliance
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2011-012
Physical Description: 26.25 Linear Feet [24 record boxes and 2 flat boxes]
Date (inclusive): 1929-2014
Date (bulk): 1950-1998
Abstract: The collection comprises organizational records and personal papers of Mississippi civil rights activist Edgar Sandifer, 1929-2014. Organizational materials include his administrative, financial, promotional, and legal records as part of the Mississippi Gay Alliance (MGA), Persons with AIDS/HIV Project (PWA), Jackson Gray Panthers (JGP), and People's Anti-War Mobilization (PAM). The personal materials include photographs, memorabilia, and personal papers.
Container: 1

Physical Characteristics note

The documents have been arranged based on small organized sections within the original collection. Materials received without a decipherable organization were integrated with related organized materials or grouped in general chronological files within that series.
Deaccessioned materials include duplicates, Post-its, and moldly items. The discarded moldly items were replaced with photocopies and notated inserts. Photocopies of original documents were made prior to removal of Post-its.
Collection processed by Medria Martin, supervised by Kyle Morgan, January 2012.

Biography

Edgar Allen Sandifer, Jr. was born on October 4, 1929, in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, to Beulah Myrtis and Harvey Edgar Allen Sandifer, a Southern Baptist minister. Professing to have never been in the closet, even while in the military, Sandifier served in the Korean War from 1950-1953 and was honorably discharged as a sergeant with an operative care specialization. His experience in the Army's Operative Care Unit led to his work as a nursing home administrator from 1955-1977. Sandifer officiated gay wedding ceremonies throughout the 1970s. At a 1958 Mattachine Society meeting, Sandifer was referred to as "the only queer from the South" (quotes from Outweek, June 27, 1990).
Sandifer fought for gay, lesbian, women's, elderly, laborer, prisoner, and minority causes, creating a wide network of humanitarian affiliations and memberships. His grassroots work aimed to change the status quo and fill gaps in government social services through education, legal, and monetary support services. His organizational projects include the Mississippi Gay Alliance (MGA) where he was director from 1973-1989; the Jackson Gray Panthers (JGP) where he was project director from 1976-1987; and the Persons with AIDS Project (PWA), an MGA offshoot, where he was director from 1982-1989. He was also on the board of directors for the Mississippi Health Systems Agency from 1982-1986, the National Citizens Coalition for Nursing Home Reform from 1982-1986, and the National Gray Panthers Health Watch Task Force. He also served as a member of the Workers World Party and the People's Anti-War Mobilization (PAM).
For an administrative history of the MGA, PWA, JGP, and PAM organizations, please refer to those particular series.

Arrangement

The records are arranged in the following series:
Series 1. Mississippi Gay Alliance, 1953-1998
Series 2. Persons with AIDS/HIV Project, 1974-1996
Series 3. Jackson Gray Panthers, 1975-1996
Series 4. People's Anti-War Mobilization, 1974-1996
Series 5. Personal records, 1929-2014
Series 6. Audiovisual materials, 1948-1995
Series 7. Newspaper clippings, 1966-1995
Series 8. Memorabilia, 1974-1989

Processing Information

Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Collection has been pulled from boxes A149, 103-1, 103-84, 103-84a, 103-84b, 103-84c, 103-218, 103-227, 104-52, 104-62 to 104-69, 104-71 to 104-75. Collection processing completed by Medria Martin in November 2011. Materials were added to the Edgar Sandifer Papers from the ONE Archives Subject Files and AIDS History Project collections. These added materials are indicated in the file notes in the Persons with AIDS series.
The documents have been arranged based on small organized sections within the original collection. Materials received without a decipherable organization were integrated with related organized materials or grouped in general chronological files within that series.
Accrual processed by Kyle Morgan, 2015.

Access

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

Publication Rights

Researchers wishing to publish material must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives as the physical owner of the material. Note that permission to publish does not constitute copyright clearance. ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials from the copyright holder(s).

Preferred Citation

Box #, folder #, Edgar (Eddie) Sandifer papers, Coll2011.012, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California

Separated Materials

The "Jack's Saloon" and "Teddy Bears, Biloxi" T-shirts have been separated to the ONE Archives T-shirt collection.

Scope and Contents

The collection comprises the personal papers and organizational records of Mississippi civil rights activist Edgar Sandifer, 1929-2014. Organizational materials consist of his administrative, financial, promotional, and legal records as part of the Mississippi Gay Alliance (MGA), Persons with AIDS/HIV Project (PWA), Jackson Gray Panthers (JGP), and People's Anti-War Mobilization (PAM). The administrative files include meeting minutes, memoranda, correspondence, notes, and by-laws. Financial materials include bank statements, treasurer reports, expense reports, budgets, tax documents, and grant and funding applications. Promotional materials include newsletters, articles, press releases, brochures, publications, and counseling services materials. Legal materials include charters of incorporation, deeds of trust, contracts, and legal defense materials.
The MGA series, 1971-1998, documents the organization's administrative history; the affiliations and resources utilized to provide and support the organization's services; the memberships and chartered corporations with which the organization was directly associated; the MGA newsletter; and topical resources relating to gay issues and events. The PWA series, 1961-1996, documents the organization's administrative history; the affiliations and resources utilized to provide and support the organization's services; and the services provided to those with AIDS-related illnesses and needs. The JGP series, 1975-1996, documents the organization's administrative history and the services it provided to the elderly. The PAM series, 1974-1996, includes promotional items, publications, and correspondence regarding labor rights and anti-war programs.
The Personal papers series, 1929-1997, consists of awards, holiday cards, military documents, familial data, and a personal diary. The Audiovisual materials series consists of photographs and audiocassettes of Sandifer's life and work, 1948-1995, including recorded interviews and images of weddings, drag shows, official public appearances, and social gatherings with friends and family. The Newspaper clippings series, 1966-1995, includes materials from local Mississippi newspapers regarding Sandifer's advocacy work and his general interest in topics such as racism, AIDS, and homophobia. The Memorabilia series, 1974-1989, consists of banners, t-shirts, name badges, needle work, and posters among other materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Original date and method of acquisition unknown. Deed of Gift signed 2016.

Related Materials

Information about Sandifer can be found in John Howard's Men Like That, Neil Miller's Out in the World, Darrell Yates Rist's Heartlands, James Sears' Lonely Hunters and Growing up Gay in the South, and Studs Terkel's American Dreams (under the name Charlie Dellakamp).

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Gays -- Civil rights
AIDS (Disease)
AIDS activists -- Mississippi
Gay activists
Gay and lesbian rights
Human rights advocacy
Civil rights -- Mississippi
Metropolitan Community Church -- Mississippi
Sandifer, Edgar
Mississippi Gay Alliance
Jackson Gray Panthers
Mississippi Gay/Lesbian Alliance

 

Mississippi Gay Alliance (MGA) Series 1. 1953-1998

Physical Description: 6.2 Linear Feet

Scope and Content

The MGA series, 1971-1998, documents the organization's administrative history; the affiliations and resources utilized to provide and support the organization's services; the memberships and chartered corporations with which the organization was directly associated; the MGA newsletter; and topical resources relating to gay issues and events. Administrative records include meeting minutes, memos, correspondence, bank statements, by-laws, treasurer reports, expense reports, budgets, grant and funding applications, notes, publications, and referral forms. Affiliation and resource records include information about external organizations affiliated with MGA services. Memberships and chartered corporation records include administrative, operational, and financial records regarding MGA charters and memberships. Topical records include research material on various gay and lesbian related issues. The MGA's publication, This Month in Mississippi (TMM), edited by Sandifer, provides information about services regarding gay, AIDS, and civil rights related issues.

Administrative History

The MGA was founded in 1973, incorporated in 1974, then changed its name to the Mississippi Gay and Lesbian Alliance (MGLA) in 1986. As quoted from a MGLA mission statement, circa late 1980s: The MGLA "is the oldest gay/lesbian organization in the South and one of the oldest in the country. The Alliance began as a group of persons who were interested in educating the public for Human Rights for all persons without prejudice….The Alliance now does educational work with the gay/bisexual community around HIV/AIDS. Nine regional meetings, gay bars, churches catering to gays and anywhere gay/bisexual males gather we pass out literature, give talks/discussions, leave condoms, and promote safer sex and stress risk reduction activities. We use print and electronic media to get our message across as well as publishing our own newsletter. The MGLA has speakers who will speak on college campuses, at schools, churches, or radio about homosexuality and HIV/AIDS. Youth and elderly concerns are a part of our outreach as well as to those who are physically challenged. The Alliance founded the Mississippi Persons with AIDS and Mississippi HIV Projects."
MGA provided food, medication, transportation, and emotional support to those individuals with AIDS who otherwise would not have received help from the government. Services provided included the AIDS hotline as well as in-person support groups sponsored by the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and the Metropolitan Community Church of Jackson (MCC). MGA joined membership with the National AIDS Network, Mississippi AIDS Task Force, Mississippi Minority AIDS Task Force, Mississippi Food Network, Mississippi Association of Food Pantries, Mississippi Human Services Coalition, Hattiesburg Area AIDS Coalition, Mississippi Housing Coalition, and Twelve Baskets Food Bank. MGA also affiliated with many other humanitarian organizations such as the Jackson Gray Panthers, the Anti-Klan Network, People's Anti-War Mobilization (PAM), PFLAG, National Association of People with AIDS, Witness for Peace/Pledge of Resistance, and Catholic Social and Community Service.

Arrangement

The files are arranged into five sections: 1) Administrative records, 2) Affiliation and resource records, 3) Membership and chartered corporation records, 4) Topical records, 5) This Month in Mississippi publications. Records are organized alphabetically with the exception of the general chronological files at the end of Administrative records subsection, which are organized by year.
 

Administrative records 1953-1996

Box 1, Folder 1

Chapter, Greenville 1987-1989

Box 1, Folder 2

Chapter, Gulf Coast 1988-1992

Box 1, Folder 3

Chapter, Hattiesburg 1986-1989

Box 1, Folder 4

Chapter, Meridian 1989

Box 1, Folder 5

Charter 1975-1985

Box 1, Folder 6-12

Correspondence 1963-1996

Physical Description: [7 folders]
Box 1, Folder 13-15

Correspondence A-T 1963-1994

Physical Description: [3 folders]
Box 1, Folder 16

Correspondence, Camp Sister Spirit 1988-1990

Box 1, Folder 17

Correspondence, prison letters 1975-1995

Box 1, Folder 18-19

Correspondence, This Month in Mississippi (TMM) 1982-1996

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 2, Folder 1-2

Correspondence, Ronnie Tisdale 1968-1975

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 2, Folder 3

Correspondence, Jimmy Wallace 1967-1996

Box 2, Folder 4

Correspondence, WJTV 1975

Box 2, Folder 5-11

Financial 1974-1993

Physical Description: [7 folders]
Box 2, Folder 12-14

Financial, mixed 1953-1996

Physical Description: [3 folders]

Scope and Contents

The documents and records in these folders are a mixture of financial materials found throughout the Sandifer Papers series including MGA, PWA, and JGP.
Box 3, Folder 1-4

Grants/funding 1977-1991

Physical Description: [4 folders]
Box 3, Folder 5-9

Meeting minutes 1973-1992

Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 3, Folder 10

Meeting minutes, Gay Liberation of Jackson 1974

Box 3, Folder 11-12

Meeting minutes, Jackson Regional Chapter 1974-1991

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 3, Folder 13-14

Mississippi Alliance for Human Rights 1977-1989

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 3, Folder 15

Mississippi Employment Security Commission 1993

Box 3, Folder 16

New Alliance Party newspaper, letter to the editor 1985

Box 3, Folder 17-18

Referrals 1973-1990

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 3, Folder 19-20

Referrals and counseling 1975

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 3, Folder 21

Sample forms undated

Box 4, Folder 1-22

Chronological files, miscellaneous 1966-1998

Physical Description: [22 folders]
 

Affiliation and resource records 1971-1996

Box 5, Folder 1

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) 1971-1995

Box 5, Folder 2

Center for Democratic Renewal 1991

Box 5, Folder 3

Christ the King Church 1989

Box 5, Folder 4

Coalition for Human Dignity 1990

Box 5, Folder 5

Community Legal Services of Mississippi, Inc. 1971-1972

Box 5, Folder 6

Gay and Lesbian research, The Role of Social Support in the Coming-out Process for Gays and Lesbians 1991

Box 5, Folder 7

Integrity Forum for Gay Episcopalians and their Friends 1977-1983

Box 5, Folder 8

Integrity Mississippi 1982-1983

Box 5, Folder 9

Jackson Unitarian Universalist Church 1979-1996

Box 5, Folder 10

Mayor's Crime Commission 1982-1983

Box 5, Folder 11

Metropolitan Community Church, New Orleans 1974

Box 5, Folder 12

Mississippi churches 1988-1992

Box 5, Folder 13

Mississippi Affirmation: United Methodist for Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Concerns, Inc. 1993-1996

Box 5, Folder 14-15

Mississippi Legal Services Coalition 1978-1990

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 5, Folder 16

Mississippi Phoenix Coalition, Inc. 1992-1993

Box 5, Folder 17

Pink Magnolias 1991

Box 5, Folder 18

Southern Cross 1974

 

Membership and chartered corporation records 1974-1996

Box 5, Folder 19

American Freedom Coalition 1989-1990

Box 5, Folder 20-21

Community Access Producers and Viewers Association of Jackson (CAPVA) 1989-1991

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 5, Folder 22

Dignity Mississippi Chapter 1982

Box 5, Folder 23-26

Metropolitan Community Church, Jackson (MCC) 1974-1996

Physical Description: [4 folders]

MCC

This is a chartered corporation. Sandifer was a treasurer, church member, and a board member.
Box 5, Folder 27

Mississippi Association of Food Pantries 1988

Box 5, Folder 28

Mississippi Association of Gay & Lesbian Democratic Clubs 1983

Box 5, Folder 29-30

Mississippi Forum 1990

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 5, Folder 31-35

Mississippi Gay and Lesbian Task Force (MGLTF), invoices, newsletters, correspondence 1992-1997

Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 5, Folder 36

Non-gay organizations, memberships 1974-1990

Box 5, Folder 37

Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) 1984

PFLAG

Sandifer incorporated this charter in 1984.
Box 5, Folder 38

Rape Crisis Center, Jackson 1978-1980

Box 6, Folder 1-2

St. Stephen's United Community Church 1987-1996

Physical Description: [2 folders]

St. Stephen's Community Church

Sandifer was treasurer of St. Stephen's Community Church
 

Topical records 1972-1996

Box 6, Folder 10

Anita Bryant 1977-1980

Box 6, Folder 11

Gay, non-South 1973-1993

Box 6, Folder 12

Gay issues, Mississippi press 1974-1995

Box 6, Folder 13-14

Gay South, non-Mississippi 1974-1996

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 7, Folder 1

Jon Hinson 1979-1981

Box 7, Folder 2

Murders/bashers-Mississippi 1981-1995

Box 7, Folder 3

National Organization for Women (NOW) 1979-1991

Box 7, Folder 4

Wedding certificates 1972-1996

Box 6, Folder 3-9

This Month in Mississippi (TMM) publications 1982-1991

Physical Description: [7 folders]
 

Persons with AIDS/HIV Project (PWA) Series 2. 1974-1996

Physical Description: 4.8 Linear Feet

Scope and Content

The PWA series, 1961-1996, documents the organization's administrative history; the affiliations and resources utilized to provide and support the organization's services; and the services provided to those with AIDS-related illnesses and needs. Administrative records include quarterly reports, AIDS research reports, correspondence, grant applications, travel vouchers, last will and testament documents, and funding applications. Affiliation and resource records document PWA collaborations with external organizations and include conference notes and literature, AIDS research publications, and obituaries. Service records include AIDS hotline information, contracts, AIDS survey reports, legal assistance, and zoning information.

Administrative History

In 1985 Sandifer established the PWA Project to assist persons with HIV/AIDS throughout the Mississippi area. As executive director, Sandifer helped provide services where local and state agencies fell short, without bias to age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, or socio-economic status. Sponsored by the Mississippi Gay Alliance, the PWA offered services such as transportation; volunteer support; information and referrals; housing; legal assistance and case management; counseling; education; access to home health care; and emergency food, clothing, and medical supplies. The Sandifer House, where Sandier was director starting in 1986, and the Selph House were created to provide housing and care for persons with AIDS who did not have a place to live and did not require hospitalization.

Arrangement

The files are arranged into three sections: 1) Administrative records, 2) Affiliation and resource records, and 3) Service records. Records are organized alphabetically with the exception of the general chronological files at the end of the Administrative records subsection, which are organized by year.
 

Administrative records 1974-1997

Box 7, Folder 5-6

AIDS Mississippi State Department of Health, quarterly reports 1989-1992

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 7, Folder 7

AIDS research, Jeffery Allen Kelly, Ph.D 1986

Box 7, Folder 8-19

Correspondence 1985-1997

Physical Description: [12 folders]
Box 8, Folder 1

Correspondence, FEMA 1988-1989

Box 8, Folder 2

Correspondence, National Community Funds 1989

Box 8, Folder 3

Donations received 1989-1990

Box 8, Folder 4

Draw Down Raffle 1992

 

Grant proposals 1986-1997

Box 8, Folder 5

AIDS 1996 STD/HIV Prevention & 1988 legislative activities, Mississippi State Department of Health 1988-1996

Box 8, Folder 6

AIDS Education and Risk Reduction 1986-1997

Separated Materials note

Contents were relocated from the AIDS History Project collection (box 91, folder 21).
Box 8, Folder 7

AIDS Education, Chicago Resource Center 1988

Box 8, Folder 8-11

Jeffrey Allen Kelly Ph.D, Department of Health and Human Services 1986-1987

Physical Description: [4 folders]

Separated Materials note

Contents in folder 11 were relocated from the AIDS History Project collection (box 68, folder 16).
Box 8, Folder 12

NAACP: RECAP Project 1988

Separated Materials note

Contents were relocated from the AIDS History Project collection (box 62, folder 29).
Box 8, Folder 13

U.S. Conference of Mayors 1991

Box 8, Folder 14

Hattiesburg Area AIDS Coalition 1988-1990

Box 8, Folder 15

HUD sample application, boarding homes 1991

Box 8, Folder 16

Jitney Jungle #16, Performance Evaluation Permit 1974

Box 8, Folder 17

Last will and testament 1990

Box 8, Folder 18-21

Mississippi Gaming Commission, Bingo 1992-1994

Physical Description: [4 folders]
Box 8, Folder 22

National Community Funds 1988-1989

Box 8, Folder 23

Sample forms 1989

Box 9, Folder 1-2

Travel vouchers 1989-1990

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 9, Folder 3-9

General chronological 1980-1997

Physical Description: [7 folders]
 

Affiliation and resource records 1980-1994

Box 9, Folder 10

Advancedata: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) 1988

Box 9, Folder 11

AIDS alcohol and drug abuse, Mississippi State Department of Mental Health 1991

Box 9, Folder 12

AIDS Prevention Conference 1988

Box 9, Folder 13

AIDS scrapbook 1990

Box 9, Folder 14

AIDS Weekly Surveillance Report: Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC) 1986-1989

Box 9, Folder 15

Federal Register Report 1990

Box 9, Folder 16

Global Program on AIDS and Programme of STD: World Health Organization 1989

Box 9, Folder 17

HIV/AIDS Surveillance: Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC) 1989-1994

Box 9, Folder 18

HIV Knowledge, Attitudes, and Risk Behavior in Mississippi 1987

Box 9, Folder 19

Monthly Vital Statistics Report: Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC) 1990-1991

Box 9, Folder 20

National HIV Sero-Surveillance Report: Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC) 1992

Box 9, Folder 21

Obituaries 1980-1994

Box 9, Folder 22

Project Inform: PI Perspective 1989-1990

Box 10, Folder 1

United Way: Family Issues Focus Group 1991

 

Service records 1959-1995

Box 10, Folder 2

AIDS Hotline 1987-1988

Box 10, Folder 3

AIDS Hotline/Community Switchboard 1983-1995

Box 10, Folder 4

AIDS Planning Commission 1989-1991

Box 10, Folder 5-7

AIDS Prevention/Education 1987-1990

Physical Description: [3 folders]
Box 10, Folder 8

AIDS Prevention/Risk Reduction brochure, Mississippi State Department of Health 1990-1991

Box 10, Folder 9

AIDS Prevention/Risk Reduction contracts, Mississippi State Department of Health 1988-1989

Box 10, Folder 10

AIDS Prevention/Risk Reduction pamphlets, Mississippi State Department of Health 1985

Box 10, Folder 11-12

AIDS Prevention/Risk Reduction questionnaire, Mississippi State Department of Health 1989

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 10, Folder 13

AIDS Mississippi State Department of Health 1987-1993

Box 10, Folder 14

AIDS seminar trip 1987

Box 10, Folder 15

AIDS survey report, Mississippi State Board of Health 1989

Box 10, Folder 16-18

AIDS Task Force 1986-1987

Physical Description: [3 folders]
Box 11, Folder 1-5

Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program 1988-1990

Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 11, Folder 6

HIV Services Planning Committee, Mississippi State Department of Health 1989-1990

Box 11, Folder 7

Mississippi Housing Coalition 1984-1990

Box 11, Folder 8

National Survey of Gay & Lesbian Hotlines 1990

Box 11, Folder 9

Robert Reed Thompson, legal assistance 1959-1992

Box 11, Folder 10-14

Sandifer House 1961-1993

Physical Description: [4 folders]
Box 11, Folder 15

Sandifer House: Hinds County Human Resources Agency, sample forms 1990

Box 11, Folder 16

Sandifer House: zoning 1986-1987

Box 11, Folder 17

Selph House 1990-1992

Box 11, Folder 18

Selph House, patient information and phone log 1988-1992

Box 11, Folder 19

Volunteer Project 1989-1991

 

Jackson Gray Panthers (JGP) Series 3. 1975-1996

Physical Description: 5 Linear Feet

Scope and Content

The JGP series, 1975-1996, documents the organization's administrative history and the services it provided to the elderly. Administrative records include meeting minutes, memos, correspondence, charitable fundraiser records, promotional material, bank statements, charters of incorporation, performance reports, deeds of trust, by-laws, treasurer reports, expense reports, budgets, grant and funding applications, ombudsman procedures and reports, and general chronological information. The service records includes counseling files, contracts, legal defense materials, referrals, and the Mississippi Mental Health Project publication.

Administrative History

The Jackson Gray Panthers (JGP), a division of the National Gray Panther Network, was founded in 1976 in Jackson, Mississippi. The JGP was first chaired then directed by Edgar Sandifer who advocated "on behalf of the elderly, speaking for or on behalf of those not able to defend themselves in today’s uncertain and ever-changing society" (The JGP Inc. and Mental Health Field Work, A Proposal for Funding, 1982).
In addition to working directly with the Mississippi Mental Health Project, circa 1977-1979, the JGP utilized the American Civil Liberties Union to provide legal services to assist in complaints against nursing homes. A list of agencies that employed the services of the JGP are the Hinds General Hospital, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, University Medical Center, Hinds County Department of Public Welfare, Methodist Rehab Center, Mississippi Council on Aging, Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging, Jackson Community Mental Health Center, Jackson Boarding Home Consortium, City of Jackson Division of Aging, and the Mississippi Food Network.
In 1981 the JGP joined the Boarding Home Consortium, which included partnerships with the Department of Mental Health, Council on Aging, Welfare Department Medicaid Committee, Board of Health Care Committee, City of Jackson State Mental Hospital, and the Mental Health Association and Centers.

Arrangement

The files are arranged into two sections: 1) Administrative records and 2) Services records. Records are organized alphabetically with the exception of the general chronological files at the end of the Administrative records subsection, which are organized by year.
 

Administrative records 1968-1996

Box 12, Folder 1

Bingo Division, Mississippi Gaming Commission application for charitable bingo 1993-1994

Box 12, Folder 2

Department of Welfare Board meeting minutes 1979

Box 12, Folder 3

Families United for Senior Action 1991

Box 12, Folder 4

Financial 1979-1996

Box 12, Folder 5

Funding exchange 1981-1991

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 12, Folder 6

Funding request, Mr. and Mrs. Ferry 1987

Box 12, Folder 7

Informational resources undated

Box 12, Folder 8

M.J. Inc. charter and meeting minutes 1984-1986

Box 12, Folder 9

Monthly performance report 1988-1989

Box 12, Folder 10-12

National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform 1980-1981

Physical Description: [3 folders]
Box 12, Folder 13

National Community Funds 1981-1984

Box 12, Folder 14

Nursing home services 1980

Box 12, Folder 15

Nursing home workshop, notes 1977

Box 12, Folder 16-17

Ombudsman, nursing home complaints/forms 1981-1983

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 12, Folder 18

Ombudsman training 1981

Box 12, Folder 19-20

Proposal for funding 1984

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 12, Folder 21

Training conferences 1981

Box 12, Folder 22

The Villers Foundation 1982-1983

Box 12, Folder 23

Youth Project correspondence 1981-1983

Box 13, Folder 1-18

Chronological files, miscellaneous 1968-1983

Physical Description: [18 folders]
Box 14, Folder 1-14

Chronological files, miscellaneous 1984-1996

Physical Description: [14 folders]
 

Service records 1975-1994

Box 15, Folder 1-8

Alice Johnson, et al vs. Beverly Enterprises, court transcripts 1988-1989

Physical Description: [8 folders]
Box 15, Folder 9

"Bubba" May rally 1980

Box 15, Folder 10

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD)-Area Agency on Aging, emergency services contract 377L99 1986-1987

Box 15, Folder 11-12

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD)-Area Agency Case Management Clients 1987-1991

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 15, Folder 13

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD)-Area Agency emergency services contracts 1987-1989

Box 15, Folder 14

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD)-Area Agency Title IIIB emergency services contract 1984-1985

Box 15, Folder 15

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD)-Area Agency Title IIIB emergency services contract 1989

Box 15, Folder 16-17

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD)-Area Agency Title IIID emergency services contract 1988-1989

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 15, Folder 18

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD)-Council on Aging, Coordinating Committee 1986-1987

Box 15, Folder 19

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD)-Memorandums 1984-1986

Box 15, Folder 20

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD)-Title IIIB emergency services, monthly financial reports 1985-1987

Box 16, Folder 1

City of Jackson, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) 1981-1988

Box 16, Folder 2

Johnnie Mae Holladay, court transcript 1988

Box 16, Folder 3

Magnolia Home for Convalescents 1975-1994

Box 16, Folder 4

Magnolia Nursing Home 1975-1976

Box 16, Folder 5

Mississippi Council on Aging, referrals for service requests 1989

Box 16, Folder 6

Mississippi Medicaid Commission 1979

Box 16, Folder 7-8

Mississippi Mental Health Project 1980

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 16, Folder 9-27

Mississippi Mental Health Project Newsletter 1975-1979

Physical Description: [19 folders]
Box 16, Folder 28

Prime Timers, Jackson chapter 1993

Box 16, Folder 29-32

National Campaign to Free Mayor Eddie J. Carthan and the Tchula-7 and to Preserve Black Political Rights 1981-1984

Physical Description: [4 folders]
Box 16, Folder 33

Task Force on Medicaid services 1981

Box 16, Folder 34

Tchula Seven Project, defense fund 1982

 

People's Anti-War Mobilization (PAM) Series 4. 1974-1996

Physical Description: 2 Linear Feet

Scope and Content

The PAM series, 1974-1996, includes correspondence, promotional material, publications, newsletters, articles, brochures, press releases, topical research, and general chronological files regarding or supporting the activities of PAM.

Administrative History

Introduced in 1981 by the Workers World Party, a communist political party and one of the first supporters of gay rights, the People's Anti-War Mobilization was formed to protest the Reagan administration's foreign military interventionist policies in El Salvador, budget cuts to welfare programs, and draft registration. PAM fought against unemployment, sexism, homophobia, war, poverty, racism, repression, and bigotry.

Arrangement

The files are organized alphabetically except for the general chronological files which are organized by year.
Box 17, Folder 1

African struggles and groups 1981

Box 17, Folder 2

Anti-draft resources 1977-1982

Box 17, Folder 3

Ku Klux Klan 1978-1982

Box 17, Folder 4

Labor movement newspapers 1974-1986

Box 17, Folder 5-7

Southern Coalition on Jails and Prisons 1980-1982

Physical Description: [3 folders]
Box 17, Folder 8-13

Workers World newspaper 1977, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987,1990

Physical Description: [6 folders]
Box 18, Folder 1-13

Chonological files, miscellaneous 1974-1996

Physical Description: [13 folders]
 

Personal papers Series 5. 1929-2014

Physical Description: 1 Linear Feet

Scope and Content

The Personal papers series consists of the personal awards, correspondence, journal entries, family and military documents, biographical information, financial records, and general chronological files of Edgar Sandifer from 1929-2014.

Arrangement

The files are arranged alphabetically except for the general chronological files which are organized by year.
Box 19, Folder 1

Awards and certificates 1951-1996

Box 19, Folder 2-3

Correspondence, cards undated

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 19, Folder 4

Diary 1995

Box 19, Folder 5

Family 1963-1966

Box 19, Folder 6

Home owner documents 1956-1970

Box 19, Folder 7

Life history 1929-1997

Box 19, Folder 8

Maude Lee Cliburn, sister 1939-1995

Box 19, Folder 9

Military 1950-1966

Box 19, Folder 10

Miscellaneous, chronological file 1973-1997

Box 19, Folder 11

Miscellaneous 1996-2014

 

Audiovisual materials Series 6. 1948-1995

Physical Description: 3.2 Linear Feet

Scope and Contents

The series conists of photographs and audiocassettes documenting Sandifer's personal and professional life from 1948-1995. Personal photographs include images of Sandifer's childhood, friends and family, and military service during the Korean War. Photographs relating to his professional life include images of his official appearances and of special events such as same-sex weddings and fundraising drag shows. The audiocassettes predominantly consist of recordings of interviews and memorial services.
 

Photographs 1948-1995

Sandifer (Edgar) photographs, sample

Scope and Content

The Photographs series includes images of Sandifer's personal and professional life from 1948-1995. Personal photographs include images of Sandifer's childhood, friends and family, and military service during the Korean War. Photographs relating to his professional life include images of his official appearances and of special events such as same-sex weddings and fundraising drag shows.
The earliest photographs are found in the albums. The general chronological photographs contain later images of Sandifer's personal life. The special event photographs include images of Mississippi Gay Alliance (MGA), Persons with AIDS/HIV Project (PWA), Jackson Gray Panthers (JGP), People's Anti-War Mobilization (PAM), and other organizational and special events Sandifer was involved with.

Separated Materials

Twenty-two damaged and moldy photographs were photocopied as preservation copies.
Box 20

Albums circa 1930-1970

Physical Description: [7 binders]
Box 19, Folder 12

Album pages, loose 1980

Box 21, Folder 1-19

General chronological 1966-1989, undated

Physical Description: [19 folders]
Box 22, Folder 1-5

General chronological 1990-1995

Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 22, Folder 6

Promotional 1984-1989

Box 22, Folder 7-18

Special events 1950-1991, undated

Physical Description: [12 folders]
 

Audiocassettes 1980-1989, undated

Scope and Contents

The audiocassettes predominantly consist of recordings of interviews and memorial services, 1980-1989, undated.
Box 24, Item 1

Conversation with Larry undated

Physical Description: [Concertape 60 minute cassette]
Box 24, Item 2

[Alan?] Wilson memorial February 12, 1989

Physical Description: [Maxwell 120 minute cassette]
Box 24, Item 3

Purioyne undated

Physical Description: [MS600 60 minute cassette]
Box 24, Item 4

[Jeri Anderson?] undated

Physical Description: [Maxwell 60 minute cassette]
Box 24, Item 5

Side one: Vision 80, aired December 28, 1980; Side two: Vision 81, Jay moon and Eddie Sandifer, aired May 18, 1981 1980-1981

Physical Description: [Cycles 60 minute cassette]
Box 24, Item 6

Tommy Hall Memorial Service undated

Physical Description: [TDK 60 minute mini-cassette]
 

Newspaper clippings Series 7. 1966-1995

Physical Description: 1 Linear Feet

Scope and Content

The series includes newspaper clippings from local Mississippi newspapers, 1966-1995, regarding Sandifer's advocacy work and topical interests including racism, AIDS, and homophobia.
Box 23, Folder 1

AIDS 1987-1993

Box 23, Folder 2

Cynthia Boston 1981

Box 23, Folder 3

Gay in America 1989

Box 23, Folder 4

Gay in the military 1980

Box 23, Folder 5

Gay, non-South 1966-1983

Box 23, Folder 6

Gay, South 1980-1982

Box 23, Folder 7

Jackson Gray Panthers 1979-1989

Box 23, Folder 8-17

General 1974-1995

Physical Description: [10 folders]
 

Memorabilia Series 8. 1974-1989

Physical Description: 1.8 Linear Feet

Scope and Content

The Memorabilia series consists of protest banners, name badges, posters, T-shirts, and other objects collected by Edgar Sandifer, 1974-1989.
Box 25, Folder 1

Posters and photographs 1981-1989

Physical Description: [oversized]

Scope and Contents

Includes one mythological/chariot race graphic on foam core, two AIDS prevention/awareness posters, one National Nursing Home Residents’ Day poster, and one photograph of an unknown infant.
Box 25, Folder 2

Name badge, "Planning Committee Speaker, Eddie Sandifer" undated

Box 25, Folder 3

Name badge, "Eddie Sandifer, Director, Sandifer House," "Speaker, Interdisciplinary Alcohol/Drug Studies Center Jackson State University" undated

Box 24

Ashtray, "Mississippi Gay Alliance" 1976

Box 25

Banner, "Anita Bryant: Anti-Gay, Anti-Black, Anti-Poor. We Must Unite To Defend Gay Rights!" Circa 1977

Box 25

Banner, "End Repression of Gay Prisoners! Tear Down the Walls! Mississippi Gay Alliance" undated

Box 25

Banner, "Unite the Many, Defeat the Few" (SCEF) undated

Box 25

Needlework, "ACLU of Jackson Civil Libertarian Award 1974 EDDIE SANDIFER" 1974

Box 24

Plaque, "MGA Award" 1977

Box 25

Sash, "Mississippi Gay Alliance" undated