Collection

Brafford, Brad Papers

Span Dates: 1971-2008
Bulk Dates: 1978-1998
Volume: 10.6 linear feet

Description

This collection is comprised of files created by gay rights activist G.C. "Brad" Brafford of Orange County, California, primarily from 1972 until the late 1990s. Included are materials created and distributed by local, regional, and national gay/lesbian and other political advocacy and social support organizations, such as: newsletters, brochures, pamphlets and other publications; fundraising mailings; and fliers and other ephemera. Also included are meeting agendas, notes, and minutes; and correspondence. Of interest are early records of Metropolitan Community Church Christ Chapel congregation in Santa Ana, California which includes newsletters, meeting notes, correspondence, and other materials, 1979-1985, orders of worship, meeting notes, correspondence, newsletters, and other materials, 1985-1998; Southwest District Conference meeting materials, 1980-1989; the General Conference materials, 1989, 1993; and publications, 1976-1979, 1998.

Hist/Bio Note

G.C. "Brad" Brafford (1929- ) is a gay rights activist and philanthropist in Orange County, California and an active member of several organizations concerned with gay and lesbian rights, AIDS education and support, political activism, women's rights, and electoral politics. In 1972 he was one of the founders of the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County (The Center OC), and he went on to serve on its first board of directors. He also served on the executive committee of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Orange County. He was very active in Christ Chapel Metropolitan Community Church in Santa Ana, Orange County's oldest GLBT congregation. Born on May 5, 1929, Brafford was a surveyor by occupation and a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He served in the U.S. Navy until he was discharged in 1951 due to his sexual orientation.

Finding Aid

An online finding aid is available.
https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0199r6mx/

Location

Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries P.O. Box 19557 University of California, Irvine Irvine 92623-9557
https://special.lib.uci.edu

Tags

MCC | California | Santa Ana