The Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus records document the organization's activism from 1974-2007 for LGBTQ equality and rights in Massachusetts. The records include meeting minutes, correspondence, publications, photographs, and information on campaigns for civil rights protections, same-sex marriage, hate crime laws, and other issues. They provide insight into the Caucus's advocacy work and collaborations with other state and national advocacy groups in fighting discrimination and achieving legal protections for the LGBTQ community in Massachusetts.

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Collection Overview
Title: Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus records
Date: 1974-2007 (bulk 1978-2004)
Location Code: 58/3, 58/4
Reference Code: M141
Extent: 1.25 cubic ft.
Scope and Content Abstract: The Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus (the Caucus) records
document the organization's activism within Massachusetts for achieving equality
for gay men and lesbians on a range of issues, including civil rights and
discrimination, domestic partnership recognition and benefits, same-sex marriage
and parenthood, and healthcare. Events and projects undertaken by the Caucus as
well as collaborations with Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, American
Civil Liberties Union, Citizens for Participation in Political Action, and National
Organization for Women, among others, are also documented. The collection
contains the Caucus's bylaws, meeting minutes, candidate and legislation
literature and endorsements, brochures, and fundraising documents. Also included
in the collection are photographs of Caucus members, newspaper clippings,
political buttons and publications, such as "Gay Civil Rights Legislation in
Massachusetts" and "Jubilee 350 Boston, Gay Jubilee". Also represented in the
collection are literature and information from individuals and other organizations
within the local and national gay communities, and testimony and information
from courts, legislatures, and newspapers outside of Massachusetts. Additionally,
there is material demonstrating cooperation and support from state politicians
such as Barney Frank, Elaine Noble, Byron Rushing, Paul Tsongas, and Gov.
Michael Dukakis. Of special interest is personal correspondence between David
Gearhart, a prominent member of the Caucus, and John Paul Hudson, a gay
activist and author, concerning Paul Guilbert, a gay Rhode Island teen who
successfully sued his high school for permission to bring his boyfriend as his date
to the prom.
Historical Abstract: The Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus (the Caucus) was founded in
1973 to fight for social equality for the gay and lesbian community in
Massachusetts. Originally titled the Boston Advocates for Human Rights, the
organization changed its name to Massachusetts Caucus for Gay Legislation in
1976 to reflect its focus on statewide legislation. The organization adopted its
current name in 1987. The Caucus was the first group within the gay and lesbian
community to employ a lobbyist to work full-time on equal rights for gay men and
lesbians. Since its creation, the Caucus has worked toward creating and promoting
legislation that benefits gay men and lesbians. Initially, the Caucus focused on
three statewide bills: to prohibit discrimination based on sexual preference in state
employment, to prohibit discrimination statewide, and to amend the criminal code
in regards to sexual conduct between consenting adults. The Caucus's focus has
since grown to include issues such as same-sex marriage and parenthood. On
November 15, 1989, the Caucus achieved a major victory when Governor Michael
Dukakis signed the Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Bill into law. More recent
successes included the passage of the Domestic Partner Benefits Bill in 2001 and
the Freedom to Marry Act in 2004. The Caucus continues to monitor these issues
to ensure the laws remain in effect. The Caucus promotes participation from
supporters of these issues by hosting annual lobbying events such as the
Constituent Lobby Day, sending candidate and legislation endorsement letters, and
collaborating with other local, state, and national gay and lesbian organizations.
Arrangement: The collection is organized alphabetically by subject.
Subjects and Contributors: Gearhart, David
Hoffman, Barbara
Isaacson, Arline
Tierney, Stephen
Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus
Massachusetts Caucus for Gay Legislation
Massachusetts Gay Political Caucus
Civil Rights -- Massachusetts
Gays -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Massachusetts
Gay activists -- Massachusetts
Gay liberation movement -- Massachusetts
Gay rights -- Massachusetts
Lesbian activists -- Massachusetts
Lobbying -- Law and legislation -- Massachusetts
Nonprofit organizations -- Massachusetts

2. Restrictions: The collection is unrestricted.
Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be
discussed with the University Archivist.
Related Materials: The Archives and Special Collections Department capture the website content of
the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, which is accessible at:
http://wayback.archive-it.org/1747/*/http://mglpc.com/
Processor: Finding aid prepared by Marietta Carr, November 20, 2007
Chronology
1973 Drafts and files Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Bill.
1976 Changes name to Massachusetts Caucus for Gay Legislation.
1979 Changes name to Massachusetts Gay Political Caucus.
1986 Lobbies into law bill protecting HIV test confidentiality and banning forced testing.
1987 Changes name to Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus.
1989 Wins passage of Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Bill.
1992 Introduces Hate Crimes Bill.
1993 First files domestic partnership legislation.
1993 Launches the Caucus Fight the Right Project.
1994 Successfully organizes opposition to nearly a dozen anti-gay extremists running
for school committees.
1995 Introduces legislation to repeal archaic sex laws and statutes.
1996 Wins passage of Hate Crimes Bill.
2001 In the State Senate, wins passage of domestic partnership legislation.
2004 Legislation legalizing same-sex marriage passes.
Bibliography
Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. "Your Advocate on Beacon Hill since 1973." http://mglpc.com/past.php
(accessed September 27, 2007).
Inventory
Box Title Date
1 Administrative Correspondence n.d., 1979-2001
1 Budgets 1991-1999
1 Bylaws and Mission Statement n.d., 1978-2004
Candidate Endorsements
1,2 General (5 Folders) n.d., 1978-2006
2 Questionnaires n.d., 1988-2000
2 "The Case for Support" n.d.
Coalitions and Lobbying Activities
2 Civil Rights Bill (4 Folders) n.d., 1976-1991
2 Domestic Partnership n.d., 1992-2000
2 Freedom to Marry
2 General (2 Folders) n.d.,1996-2007
2 Campaign for Equality 2002
2 Hate Crimes Bill 1992
2 HTLV-III Testing and AIDS Legislation 1986, 1991
2 LGBT Legislation / Referenda Coalition n.d., 1991-2002
2 Repeal of Archaic Sex Laws and Statutes n.d., 1979-1997
2 Correspondence with John Paul Hudson, Regarding Paul Guilbert 1979-1980
2 Democratic Party Platform 1981
Events
2 Annual Auction n.d., 1981-1992
2 Celebrations and Parties n.d., 1980-1988,
1998-2003
2 Community Service Awards 1988-1989
2 Fun in the Sun Weekend 1980
2 Gay Pride Day n.d., 1988
2 Harry Collins Fundraiser 1998-2002
2 Lobby Day n.d., 1979-1999
2 The Silver Slippers and Sneakers Ball 1979
2 "Fight the Right" Project n.d., 1995
2 Flyers and Brochures (2 Folders) n.d., 1975-1999
2 "Gay Civil Rights Legislation in Massachusetts" Serial 1975-1985
2 The Gay and Lesbian Health Project and the Utopia Project 1991

3. 2 Goals, Platforms, Priorities, and Strategies n.d., 1984-2000
2 Human Rights Campaign Fund 1982
2 Homosexuality / Heterosexuality Questionnaires n.d.
2 "Jubilee 350 Boston, Gay Jubilee" Publication 1980
2 Letters to the Editor, Press Release n.d., 1979, 1980,
1992, 1998
2 Logo n.d., 1999
Mailings
2 General n.d., 1981-1997
2 Election Alerts n.d., 1984-1994
Meeting Minutes and Agendas
2 Annual General Membership n.d., 1978-2007
2 Committees n.d., 1978-1999
2 Executive Board (5 Folders) n.d., 1978-2004
3 Memorabilia n.d.
2 Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus Education Fund 1991-1998
2 Newsletters (2 Folders) n.d., 1978-2000
2 Newspaper Clippings (2 Folders) n.d., 1978-2007
2 Photographs n.d.,1986-1989
2 Policies and Procedures n.d., 1972, 1989
2 Radical Right Report n.d.
2 State Government Documents for Lobbying Organizations n.d., 1978, 1987,
1999-2003