Description
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and general correspondence, legal records, court filings and exhibits, newspaper
clippings, flyers, and fund raising solicitations regarding the case of Anthony Gilbert Sullivan v. Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS) from 1974-1986. Sullivan fought INS deportation actions so that he could remain with his partner and United
States citizen, Richard Adams.
Background
Anthony Corbett Sullivan met Richard Frank Adams at the Closet Bar in Los Angeles in 1971 and within a few months they were
living together. Sullivan, an Australian citizen had been traveling on a tourist visa, and by 1974 he had exhausted all his
legal options to stay in the United States. It was at this time that Sullivan and Adams decided to fight for their right to
continue to live together in the United States. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) initiated deportation proceedings
in April 1975, but granted Sullivan a continuance to file for political asylum on the grounds that he would face persecution
if he returned to Australia. During the continuance it came to Sullivan and Adams' attention that marriage licenses were being
granted to same-sex couples in Colorado; they traveled to Colorado and were married on April 21, 1975, by Robert A. Sirico
and Freda Smith, both ordained ministers of the Universal Fellowship of the Metropolitan Community Church (UFMCC). Adams then
petitioned the INS for spousal status for Sullivan; while the petition was being considered, the INS adjourned Sullivan's
deportation hearing. When the deportation hearing resumed in February 1980, Sullivan sought its suspension, claiming that
deportation would cause extreme hardship to himself and Adams. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) rejected Sullivan's
hardship claims and refused to consider Adams to be "a qualifying relative to whom hardship may be shown under the express
provisions of the statue." Their lawyer, David M. Brown, appealed the BIA's ruling in Adams v. Howerton.
Extent
.6 Linear Feet
2 archive cartons
Restrictions
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE
National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright
holder(s).
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.