Libertarians for Gay and Lesbian Concerns

Libertarians for Gay and Lesbian Concerns was established during the 1981 Libertarian Party convention in Denver, Colorado.

From the description of Libertarians for Gay and Lesbian Concerns records, 1981-1987. (San Francisco Public Library). WorldCat record id: 37497987

Historical Note

Libertarians for Gay and Lesbian Concerns (LGLC) was established during the 1981 national Libertarian Party Convention in Denver, Colorado. LGLC succeeded the Thomas Jefferson Libertarian Club, a 1970's gay and lesbian political organization. Despite LGLC's ties with the libertarian movement, it has never been an official organization of the Libertarian party. The organization's mission was to support gay and lesbians libertarians, to persuade gay and lesbians to consider the libertarian view of civil liberties, and to bring awareness of gay and lesbian issues to libertarians.

After a slow beginning in Salt Lake City (1981-1983), LGLC moved to Washington, D.C. (1983- 1984) and to San Francisco in 1985. Robert Waldrop was the organization's first Coordinator. In 1983 Waldrop was succeeded by George Meyer, who was then the LGLC Washington, D.C. Coordinator. Meyer's efforts as National Coordinator saw an increase in the organization's membership and influence. He edited the bi-monthly LGLC Newsletter, which had 400 subscribers during the mid-1980's. Meyer supported theWashington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco local chapters. By 1986, despite his efforts, only the New York City and San Francisco chapters were still active. Meyer also arranged information booths at Libertarian party state and national conventions, encouraged LGLC participation in Gay Freedom Day parades, and maintained a network of contacts in thirteen states.

George Meyer moved to San Francisco in late 1984, and began the San Francisco chapter (August 1984) while serving as National Coordinator. Mark Fulwiler became the chapter's first coordinator. Chapter activities included monthly meetings with guest speakers and films at Free Forum Books, the San Francisco libertarian bookstore. During its first year, the chapter supported an ad-hoc committee organized against the bathhouse closures. Later, the chapter served as the host chapter to two LGLC national conventions. The first convention was held in October 1985 with 60 gay and lesbian libertarians attending from the United States and Canada. The second convention was held in May 1987 with twenty-nine attendees.

After LGLC's second convention, George Meyer stepped down as National Coordinator. He was succeeded by Jim Peron, the manager of Free Forum Books, who became the editor of the LGLCNewsletter, and Jon Osborne who handled membership and advertising activities. As far as can be determined from available records, LGLC and all of its chapters discontinued operations by late 1987.

From the guide to the Libertarians for Gay and Lesbian Concerns Collection, 1981-1987, (The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.)