GB 0097 HCA/Gay Community Organisation - Gay Community Organisation

4 boxes

Deposited in the Hall-Carpenter Archives prior to their move to the British Library of Political and Economic Science in 1988.
GB 0097 HCA/Gay Community Organisation 1978-1989 Subfonds of the Hall-Carpenter Archives 4 boxes Gay Community Organisation
The Gay Community Organisation was formed in 1982, following the establishment of a Special Commission investigating the future of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE), which recommended a restructuring. The minority report noted a failure to meet the needs of most gay people and suggested that CHE should become two interlinked organisations devoted to campaigning and social activities. A working party suggested the establishment of local gay co-operatives working under the Industrial and Providential Societies Act. These groups would organise local activities and support, and would in turn purchase shares in the national Gay Community Organisation, which would act as a central fund holder and co-ordinator. The decision to establish the Gay Community Organisation was taken in June 1982 at Hastings National Council, and the scheme was launched at the Sheffield Gayfest the same August. GCO officially came into existence on 1 September 1982, with a National Council and a General Management Committee at the centre and 24 groups throughout the country, mostly former CHE groups. By April 1983 it was clear that there were problems with the development of the local groups and their relation to the central organisation. The central body of the GCO ceased to exist in 1984, though some local groups continued an independent existence.

Deposited in the Hall-Carpenter Archives prior to their move to the British Library of Political and Economic Science in 1988.

Papers of the Gay Community Organisation, 1978-1989, notably GCO newsletters, 1982 and 1984; financial material, 1981-1982, including account books; material relating to local gay support groups, 1978-1989, mainly comprising newsletters; a draft history of the GCO, 1983.

Arranged in sections as follows: newsletters, finance, local groups, history.

Open, though some confidential files remain closed. Apply to the Archivist for details.

Apply to Archivist for copyright details.
English

Full handlist and on-line catalogue available.

The Hall-Carpenter Archives at the British Library of Political and Economic Science contain the papers of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, and there is further material relating to the GCO in the Hall-Carpenter ephemera collection.

Sources: British Library of Political and Economic Science Archives catalogue. Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Oct 2000 Bisexuality Campaign for Homosexual Equality Gay Community Organisation Groups Homosexuality Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual social groups Lesbianism Sexuality

Papers of the Gay Community Organisation, 1978-1989, notably GCO newsletters, 1982 and 1984; financial material, 1981-1982, including account books; material relating to local gay support groups, 1978-1989, mainly comprising newsletters; a draft history of the GCO, 1983.

Arranged in sections as follows: newsletters, finance, local groups, history.

Open, though some confidential files remain closed. Apply to the Archivist for details.

Apply to Archivist for copyright details.

• English

• Latin

English

The Hall-Carpenter Archives at the British Library of Political and Economic Science contain the papers of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, and there is further material relating to the GCO in the Hall-Carpenter ephemera collection.

Full handlist and on-line catalogue available.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• English