Title: Lambda Rights Network Records
Inclusive Dates: 1987-1993

Creator:

• Lambda Rights Network

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 208

Quantity: .8 cubic ft. (2 boxes)
Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Founded in 1987, the Lambda Rights Network (LRN) was a non-profit, non-partisan corporation that advocated on behalf of lesbian and gay issues with government officials and the general public. Formed with the immediate goal of opposing state legislation that eroded the protections guaranteed to lesbians and gays under Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, the group later dedicated itself to promoting equality in many areas: alternative families, criminal justice, health care, housing, political participation, and public accommodations. LRN sponsored "Community Speak Outs" that brought together public officials and members of the gay and lesbian community; held candidate forums for federal, state, and local races; met with public officials; gathered information about local hate crimes; and networked with other local gay and lesbian organizations. The organization dissolved in 1993.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0208

Lambda Rights Network (LRN) formed in 1987 in response to the proposed Senate Bill 301/Assembly Bill 527, widely known as the "Rawhide Amendment" after its main proponent, the Rawhide Boys Ranch. This proposed legislation sought to exclude religious non-profits from Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law. Despite the efforts of LRN and other groups and individuals, the Wisconsin Legislature adopted the religious exemption in February 1988 (Assembly Bill 916). LRN incorporated in 1989 and continued operating until 1993. During this period, the group dedicated itself to promoting equality under the law in many areas: alternative families, criminal justice, health care, housing, political participation, and public accommodations. LRN sponsored "Community Speak Outs" that brought together public officials and members of the gay and lesbian community; held candidate forums for federal, state, and local races; gathered information about local hate crimes; met with public officials; and networked with other local gay and lesbian organizations. Additionally, LRN initiated a hotline to report incidences of violence against gays and lesbians, and conducted surveys to assess the needs of LRN members and the community as a whole.

The collection documents the history and activities of the Lambda Rights Network (LRN). LRN activities are best documented in the agendas and minutes, correspondence, community surveys, and records relating to Community Speak Outs and candidate forums.

Along with the history of LRN itself, the collection sheds light on the political struggles and challenges faced by Milwaukee's gay and lesbian community over a five-year period. Of particular significance are LRN's efforts to record instances of harassment, abuse, and discrimination involving sexual orientation. LRN's information-gathering activities occurred during a period of increasing national awareness of the seriousness of bias-motivated crimes. Indeed, during LRN's existence, twelve states passed hate crimes statutes that enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation, race, religion, color, disability, national origin or ancestry. Wisconsin's hate crime legislation passed in 1991 (Wisconsin Statute 939.645). The information gathered by LRN is contained in records of harassment complaints, surveys of hate crimes, and news clippings. The clippings relate to two prominent Wisconsin hate crimes, the Rochon and Dressler cases, and various other hate-related incidents and legislative reforms.

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

• Cream City Foundation Records. UWM Manuscript Collection 205.

• Milwaukee Gay/Lesbian Cable Network Records. UWM Manuscript Collection 206.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Scott Gunkel donated the collection to the Archives in December 2003 (accession 2003-46).

Processing Information

Ryan Johnson processed the collection in summer 2004.

Box   1 Folder   1	ACLU, 1987-1991
Box   1 Folder   2	Agendas and Minutes, 1987-1988
Box   1 Folder   3	Agendas and Minutes, 1989-1992
Box   1 Folder   4	Articles of Incorporation/Dissolution, 1989, 1993
Box   1 Folder   5	Brochures, 1989-1990, undated
Box   1 Folder   6	Bylaws, 1988-1991
Box   1 Folder   8	Citizen Commission on Police- Community Relations, 1991
Box   1 Folder   7	Citizen Complaint Procedure, Fire and Police Commission, 1991-1992
	Clippings
Box   1 Folder   9	1987-1992, undated
Box   1 Folder   10	Dressler Case, 1991
Box   1 Folder   11	Rochon Case, 1990
Box   1 Folder   12	Community Block Watch Program, 1991
Box   1 Folder   13	Community Speak Outs, 1989-1990, undated
	Correspondence
Box   1 Folder   14	1987-1992, undated
Box   1 Folder   15	Ralph Navarro, 1987-1991, undated
Box   1 Folder   16	Thank You Letters, 1991-1992
Box   1 Folder   17	Dahmer, Community Response, 1991
Box   1 Folder   18	Financial Reports, 1987-1993
Box   1 Folder   19	Gay Information Services (GIS), 1989, undated
Box   1 Folder   20	Goal Setting Project, 1988-1989
Box   1 Folder   21	Grant Applications, Cream City Foundation, 1989-1993, undated
Box   1 Folder   22	Grant Applications, RESIST, 1989, 1993
Box   1 Folder   23	Harassment, Judge Jennings, 1990
Box   1 Folder   24	Harassment Complaints, 1987-1993
Box   1 Folder   25	Hate Crimes Project, 1990
Box   2 Folder   1	Lavendar Network, 1991-1992, undated
Box   2 Folder   2	Letterhead (Blank), undated
Box   2 Folder   3	March on Washington, 1993
Box   2 Folder   4	Media Policy, undated
Box   2 Folder   5	Milwaukee Disparity Study, 1992
Box   2 Folder   6	Milwaukee Public School Task Force on Gay and Lesbian Teens, 1991
Box   2 Folder   7	Newsletters, 1990-1991
Box   2 Folder   8	NGLTF (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force), 1987-1991
Box   2 Folder   9	No Retreat on Civil Rights Network, 1990-1993, undated
Box   2 Folder   10	Persons with AIDS Rights Network (PWARN), 1989
	Political Awareness
Box   2 Folder   11	Clinton/Gore Campaign, 1992
Box   2 Folder   12	Jesse Jackson Campaign, 1988
Box   2 Folder   13	Milwaukee Mayoral Race, 1987-1988
Box   2 Folder   14	5th District Congressional Forum, 1988
Box   2 Folder   15	Press Releases, 1990-1992, undated
Box   2 Folder   16	Rawhide Boys Ranch, 1973, 1986-1988, undated
	Surveys
Box   2 Folder   17	Hate Crimes, 1992
Box   2 Folder   18	Membership Outreach, 1990
Box   2 Folder   19	Personal Evaluation, undated
Box   2 Folder   20	Pride Rally, 1991
Box   2 Folder   21	Survey Forms, Various, 1989-1990, undated