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British Library of Political and Economic Science

Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality (later Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality)

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0097 HCA/Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality

Held at: British Library of Political and Economic Science

Title: Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality (later Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality)

Date(s): 1977-1993

Level of description: sub-fonds

Extent: 3 boxes

Name of creator(s): Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality
TORCHE | Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality was a voluntary organisation founded in 1976 to lobby Conservative Party opinion in favour of gay rights and to provide a political balance within the gay movement. The group was revived in 1980, and a constitution drawn up and adopted on 28 March 1981, establishing an elected Executive Committee to oversee the running of the Group. CGHE was succeeded by TORCHE (Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality), which now has upwards of 400 members within the Conservative Party.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of the Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality (CGHE) and its successor, TORCHE (Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality), 1977-1993, notably a draft constitution and a copy of the constitution adopted on 28 Mar 1981; leaflets, 1977-1992; gay Social Democrat material, [1981]; minutes of the Executive Committee and the Annual General Meeting, 1980-1991; newsletters, 1977-1992, including Blue Triangle and Open Mind; correspondence with Conservative local authority councillors, 1983-1987; material collated by Dr David Starkey whilst Chairman of TORCHE, 1987-1993, including minutes, papers concerning the CGHE, publications and correspondence.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

The papers are arranged in sections as outlined in the Scope and Content.

Conditions governing access:

Apply to Archivist. The second accession is closed until listed.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright retained by the donor. Readers must sign an undertaking before citing material.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Temporary handlist and on-line catalogue available.

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Given by TORCHE via its Chairman, Dr David Starkey, in 1993 and 1998.

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 holds material relating to the CGHE in the ephemera collection and the papers of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality.

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Sources: British Library of Political and Economic Science Archives catalogue; TORCHE website at http://www.torche.gb.org/siteframe.htm. Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.