Smith, Evander

Biographical note

Evander Smith was a San Francisco lawyer who along with Herbert Donaldson was retained by the Council on Religion and the Homosexual. The Council organized a Mardi Gras Ball that took place on January 1, 1965 at the California Hall. Anticipating police harassment, Smith and Donaldson were asked to attend the event in case legal advice was necessary. The police took photographs of attendees arriving and requested admission to the event on two occasions. The first was to examine whether the event was in accord with rules regarding liquor; this was standard practice and the police were admitted to ascertain that the event was in compliance. At a later time, the police asked for admittance again and were denied because they did not have tickets for the private event and could provide no reason to enter. As a result, four people were arrested: Evander Smith, Herbert Donaldson, Elliott Leighton and Nancy May.