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Bishopsgate Institute

Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0372 GALHA

Held at: Bishopsgate Institute

Title: Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association

Date(s): 1978-2007

Level of description: Collection

Extent: 12 boxes

Name of creator(s): Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

Founded in 1979 in the aftermath of the Gay News blasphemy trial, GALHA is the only autonomous national organisation worldwide for gay and lesbian Humanists. It has members in many parts of the UK and in other countries. GALHA is affiliated to the International Humanist and Ethical Union and the International Lesbian and Gay Association. GALHA is also affiliated to Amnesty International, whose UK section has its own active Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Network.

GALHA provides a fellowship and voice for the many non-religious in the lesbian and gay community. It aims to promote an awareness and understanding of the Humanist outlook in that community, as well as bringing gay and lesbian rights to the attention of its kindred Humanist organisations.

GALHA plays a part in the campaign to combat prejudice and discrimination against lesbians and gay men and to achieve their complete legal equality with heterosexuals. It also takes up issues of concern to Humanists. It lobbies MPs, the media and others. It makes submissions to government committees and responds to government consultative documents concerning lesbian/gay and Humanist rights. It takes part in demonstrations and rallies concerning these rights.

GALHA is an integral part of the British Humanist movement and has close links with other organisations in it. These include the British Humanist Association and the National Secular Society, which have each consistently backed homosexual law reform and supported making the age of sexual consent for gay men equal to that for heterosexuals. GALHA is represented on the Humanist Forum (a liaison committee) and it co-sponsors Humanist functions.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (1978-2005), including: accounts and financial records, 1980-2005; chair and annual reports, 1979-2007; annual general meeting minutes and papers, 1980-1997; nomination forms, membership and attendance records, 1985-1996; legislative submissions, 1980-2001; papers, press cuttings and other material regarding various GALHA campaigns concerning "cures" for homosexuality, Coventry County Council and their ban on a Campaign for Homosexual Equality meeting, the armed forces, Section 28 and the age of consent, 1978-2000; press releases, 1990-1993; papers deposited by founder members George Broadhead and Jim Herrick including papers, journals, photographs and other material, 1979-1995.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association Archive is divided into the following eleven sections:

GALHA/1: Annual General Meetings

GALHA/2: Reports

GALHA/3: Financial Administration

GALHA/4: Campaign Material

GALHA/5: Press Releases

GALHA/6: Legislative Submissions

GALHA/7: Administration

GALHA/8: Jim Herrick Papers

GALHA/9: George Broadhead Papers

GALHA/11: Fire and Brimstone Productions

No GALHA/10

Conditions governing access:

Open

Conditions governing reproduction:

Photocopying and digital photography (without flash) is permitted for research purposes on completion of the Library's Copyright Declaration form and with respect to current UK copyright law.

Finding aids:

Adlib catalogue

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Deposited at Bishopsgate Library by GALHA via secretary, David Christmas, 8 May 2009.

ALLIED MATERIALS

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Archivist's note: Entry compiled by Grace Biggins

Rules or conventions: 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.

Date(s) of descriptions: 6 December 2016


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Gay rights | Civil and political rights | Human rights
Humanism | Philosophical schools | Philosophy

Personal names

Corporate names
Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association

Places