Summary Information
Miriam Ben-Shalom Papers
1971-1999
UWM Manuscript Collection 237
- 3 cubic ft. (3 boxes)
- 14 videocassettes
- 10 audio cassettes
- 33 digital files (1.13 TB)
UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)
The collection contains personal papers and other documentation
collected by Miriam Ben-Shalom, the first gay or lesbian member of the United States
military service to be reinstated after being discharged for her sexual orientation. The
collection documents Ben-Shalom's legal battles with the military, as well as the general
topic of homosexuals and the military. Other materials pertain to the gay and lesbian
veterans movement, feminism, and related social justice issues.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0237 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Born on May 3, 1948 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Miriam Ben-Shalom attended Catholic Memorial
and graduated from East Troy Community High School in 1967. She married for a short time and
had a daughter. After moving to Israel in 1968, Ben-Shalom converted to Judaism and changed
her name. Upon returning to the United States in the early 1970s, Ben-Shalom returned to
Wisconsin and completed both her B.A. and M.A. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In
1974, she began serving in the 84th Army Reserves Training Division. She also completed
drill instructors school, becoming one of the first two female drill sergeants in the
division. During this time, she became openly involved in the local gay rights movement and
lesbian-feminist organizations. In late 1975, she publicly expressed her sexual identity as
a lesbian, and was subsequently discharged from the Army Reserves. Her suit for
reinstatement was heard by the U.S. District Court in Chicago, which ruled that ruled that
Ben-Shalom's discharge violated the First, Fifth, and Ninth Amendments of the Constitution.
The U.S. Army appealed the decision, then withdrew its appeal and simply refused to comply
with the order. In 1987, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago supported the lower court's
ruling, and in September 1988 Ben-Shalom was reinstated. The Army appealed the decision and
in August 1989 a federal appeals court ruled against Ben-Shalom. Ben-Shalom then appealed
her case to the U.S. Supreme Court. This body declined to hear her case and let stand the
previous court's ruling, effectively ending Ben-Shalom's military career. In following
years, Ben-Shalom remained active in gay and lesbian politics, forming the Gay, Lesbian, and
Bisexual Veterans Association (now known as American Veterans for Equal Rights). She has
received several awards for her community activism, and published poetry, short stories, and
other writing.
Scope and Content Note
The collection contains personal papers and other documentation collected by Miriam
Ben-Shalom, the first gay or lesbian member of the United States military service to be
reinstated after being discharged for her sexual orientation. The collection documents
Ben-Shalom's legal battles with the military from 1976, when she publicly expressed her
sexual identity as a lesbian, to 1990, when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear her
appeal and effectively ended her military career. It includes recordings of Ben-Shalom's
appearances on local and national television and radio programs. The collection contains a
wealth of material accumulated by Ben-Shalom documenting the general topic of gay men and
lesbians and the military. This material falls roughly between the enactment of Department
of Defense Directive 1332.4 passed in 1982, which stated the incompatibility of
homosexuality with military service, and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy enacted in 1993
(U.S. Code Title 10 § 654). Other materials collected by Ben-Shalom include
organizational papers, newsletters, and correspondence from the Campaign for Military
Service; American Civil Liberties Union; Grassroots Vets; Human Rights Campaign Fund; and
the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America. Of special note are materials pertaining
to the gay and lesbian veterans movement.
Arrangement of the Materials
Ben-Shalom organized the majority of the collection chronologically under the general
heading of "Homosexuality." These chronological files contain material on a variety of
topics and consist of news clippings, brochures, flyers, organizational newsletters, and
correspondence. Archivists arranged loose material into subject-specific folders (e.g.,
"Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Veterans of America" and "Milwaukee Lesbian Gay Pride
Committee"). Researchers are encouraged to explore both subject-specific folders and the
general files.
Preferred Citation
Citation Guide for Primary Sources
Related Material in the UWM Libraries
Administrative/Restriction Information
Researchers must use digital copies of the audio and video recordings. There are no other
access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the
public in accordance with state law.
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).
Miriam Ben-Shalom donated this collection in January 2006 (accession 2005-039).
Jessica Sawinski processed this collection July-August 2006.
Scene Savers digitized the audio and video recordings in November 2014. Audio
preservation master files were created as 96 kHz/24-bit resolution 2 channel .wav files.
Audio access copies were created as 44 kHz/320 kbps bit rate 2 channel .mp3 files. Video
preservation files were created as uncompressed 720x480 (3:2) .avi files. Video access
copies were created as compressed 640x480 (4:3) .mp4 files.
Contents List
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Video
15
|
Action Newsmaker with Miriam Ben-Shalom, WISN12
News, 1978
Videocassette (U-matic)
|
|
|
Box
1
Folder
1
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American Psychiatric Association on Homosexuality, 1993
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
2
|
Biographical Sketch and Resumes, 1976-1991
|
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Box
1
Folder
3-4
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Campaign for Military Service, 1993
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
12
|
Campaign for Military Service, Ending the Ban: A
Nationwide Plan for Local Media Coverage, 1993
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Campaign for Military Service, Spokespersons Guide, 1993
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
6
|
Canadian Army Ban on Discrimination of Homosexuals, 1992
|
|
|
Video
2
|
CBS News Nightwatch with Miriam Ben-Shalom,
1988
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
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Correspondence
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|
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Box
1
Folder
7
|
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Veterans of America, 1990-1992
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
8-9
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General, 1975-1993
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|
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Box
3
Folder
16
|
Incoming from Hope Gentle Stationed in the Persian Gulf During Operation
Desert Storm, 1990-1991
|
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Box
1
Folder
10-11
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Personal, 1983-1994, undated
|
|
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Audio
6
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Erik Barker Story, Pacifica Radio News, WXPN-FM,
1991
Audio cassette
|
|
|
Box
1
Folder
13
|
Facts or Fear from the Foxhole by Lt. Col.
Vickie S. Longenecker, 1992
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
14
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Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Veterans of America, 1992, undated
|
|
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Audio
6
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Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Veterans of America Conference, WXPN-FM,
1992
Audio cassette
|
|
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Video
6
|
Gay Life in Milwaukee, WTMJ4 News Special
Interest Series, Parts 1-3, 1987
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
15
|
General Accounting Office Report on Department of Defense Policy on
Homosexuality, 1992-1993
|
|
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Video
2
|
Geraldo Rivera Show, "Gays in Uniform," with
Miriam Ben-Shalom and Perry J. Watkins, 1988
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Video
7
|
Good Company Morning Show with Miriam Ben-Shalom
and Perry J. Watkins, 1989
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
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Box
1
Folder
16
|
Grassroots Vets, 1993
|
|
|
Box
1
Folder
17-24
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Homosexuality, 1971-1991
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Box
2
Folder
1-21
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Homosexuality, 1991-1993
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|
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Box
3
Folder
1-12
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Homosexuality, 1993, undated
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
13
|
Homosexuality and Personnel Security by T. R.
Sorbin, 1991
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
14
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Homosexuality and the U.S. Military by M. T.
McIntyre, 1980
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|
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Box
3
Folder
15
|
Human Rights Campaign Fund, 1991-1992
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|
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Video
14
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The Inhuman Perception: Homosexuals and Lesbians in
America Today, 1978
Videocassette (U-matic)
|
|
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Audio
1-4
|
Jan Weller Show, "Gays in the Military" with
Miriam Ben-Shalom, Wisconsin Public Radio, 1991-1993
Audio cassettes
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
17
|
March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Equal Rights and Liberation,
1993
|
|
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Video
3
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March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Equal Rights and Liberation,
1993
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
18
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Memorabilia, 1992, undated
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
19
|
Military Policy Toward Homosexuals: Scientific,
Historical and Legal Perspective by Major J. S. Davis, 1991
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
20
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Milwaukee Lesbian Gay Pride Committee, 1992
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|
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Audio
8
|
Morning Edition with Miriam Ben-Shalom, Radio
show, 1984
Audio cassette
|
|
|
Video
2, 7, and 8
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News Broadcasts, 1988-1989
Videocassettes (VHS)
|
|
|
News Clippings
|
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Box
3
Folder
21
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1976-1993, undated
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
22-26
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Ben-Shalom, 1974-1993, undated
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
27
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Literature, 1990, undated
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|
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Box
3
Folder
28
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Military, 1987-1990, undated
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
29
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Women, 1985-1992, undated
|
|
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Video
9
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Nightline, President Clinton vs. the Ban on
Homosexuals in the Military, 1993
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Video
1
|
Nitebeat, "We Ask, You Tell" with Leo Dorrington
and Cliff Arnesen, 2004
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Video
6
|
Nothing to Hide: ROTC, the Military, Gay Men, and
Lesbians with Miriam Ben-Shalom, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
1986
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Audio
5
|
One-Eyed Jack Show with Miriam Ben-Shalom,
1991
Audio cassette
|
|
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Audio
11
|
Outfront with Melinda, Triangle Radio Network,
1999
Audio cassette
|
|
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Video
8
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People Are Talking with Miriam Ben-Shalom and
Perry J. Watkins, undated
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
30
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Personal Writings and Poetry, undated
|
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Video
2
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Phil Donahue Show with Miriam Ben-Shalom,
1990
Videocassette (VHS)
|
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Box
3
Folder
31
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Photographs, 1940-1980
|
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Box
3
Folder
32
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Pre-service Adjustment of Homosexual and Heterosexual
Military Accessions: Implication for Security Clearance Suitability by M.A.
McDaniel, 1989
|
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Audio
7
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Press Conference Court Room Statement, 1984
Audio cassette
|
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Audio
12
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Radio interview with Miriam Ben-Shalom, WROK-AM, undated
Audio cassette
|
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Video
5
|
A Right to Serve: Gays in the Military,
1993
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
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Video
9
|
Rush Limbaugh Show, "America Held Hostage: Day
64," 1993
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Video
7
|
Sally Jesse Rafael Show with Miriam Ben-Shalom,
Perry J. Watkins, Ellen Nesbitt, Mary Ann Humphrey, and Bob Burton, 1989
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Video
8
|
Smith & Company with Miriam Ben-Shalom,
1989
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Video
2
|
Sunday Night with Miriam Ben-Shalom, WTMJ4 News,
1990
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
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Video
3
|
Swann, Tom, News Broadcasts and Interviews Concerning His Discharge from the
Military, 1992-1994
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Video
12
|
To Support and Defend: The Role of Homosexuals in the
Military, 1993
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Video
4
|
Tribute and Memorial to Gay and Lesbian Veterans, Sacramento, California,
1991
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
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Video
13
|
Undefined Citizen with Miriam Ben-Shalom,
Documentary, 1997
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
|
Video
11
|
Undefined Citizen with Miriam Ben-Shalom, Raw
Footage, 1997
Videocassette (VHS)
|
|
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Audio
6
|
Unfriendly Fire: Lesbians and Gays in the
Military, undated
Audio cassette
|
|
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Box
3
Folder
33
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United States Code Applicable to Homosexuality, undated
|
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Box
3
Folder
34
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Watkins vs. U.S. Army, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1989
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|
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Box
3
Folder
35
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Woodward vs. U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Court,
1989
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