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