Evander Smith--California Hall Papers, 1964-1974

View only results with digital items
Printable guide [HTML]

Online content

Online items available

Summary

Creators:
Smith, Evander
Abstract:
The collection contains case files and related materials for the legal defense of Evander Smith, Herbert Donaldson, Elliott Leighton and Nancy May. They were arrested on January 1, 1965 as a result of police harassment at the Mardi Gras Ball sponsored by the Council on Religion and the Homosexual.
Extent:
1 document case + 1 oversized folder (0.5 cubic feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Evander Smith--California Hall Papers (GLC 46), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Includes case files on the legal defense of Evander Smith, Herbert Donaldson, Elliott Leighton and Nancy May. The files contain information on the events that took place, legal research on the laws pertaining to those events, information on jury selection, materials concerning homosexuals and their treatment by authorities, clippings of newspaper coverage and some homosexual publications of the time. There are copies of sermons or papers enclosed in Methodist Church services in January of 1965. There are a few photographs of attendees and the police presence on January 1, 1965.

Biographical / historical:

Evander Smith was a San Francisco lawyer who along with Herbert Donaldson was retained by the Council on Religion and the Homosexual. The Council organized a Mardi Gras Ball that took place on January 1, 1965 at the California Hall. Anticipating police harassment, Smith and Donaldson were asked to attend the event in case legal advice was necessary. The police took photographs of attendees arriving and requested admission to the event on two occasions. The first was to examine whether the event was in accord with rules regarding liquor; this was standard practice and the police were admitted to ascertain that the event was in compliance. At a later time, the police asked for admittance again and were denied because they did not have tickets for the private event and could provide no reason to enter. As a result, four people were arrested: Evander Smith, Herbert Donaldson, Elliott Leighton and Nancy May.

Acquisition information:
The Evander Smith--California Hall Papers were donated to The San Francisco Public Library by Paul Gabriel for Evander Smith in 2002.
Arrangement:

The material is arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
The collection is stored onsite.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Evander Smith--California Hall Papers (GLC 46), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website