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British Library of Political and Economic Science

Gay Community Organisation

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0097 HCA/Gay Community Organisation

Held at: British Library of Political and Economic Science

Title: Gay Community Organisation

Date(s): 1978-1989

Level of description: sub-fonds

Extent: 4 boxes

Name of creator(s): Gay Community Organisation

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

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.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

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.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

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

Conditions governing access:

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

Conditions governing reproduction:

Apply to Archivist for copyright details.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Full handlist and on-line catalogue available.

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

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

Immediate source of acquisition:

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

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.

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Sources: British Library of Political and Economic Science Archives catalogue. Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.