Rich Magill papers

Collection

Identifier: LaRC-1107

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Rich Magill papers contain research materials and notes, articles, letters to the editors, and other material related to Magill’s career as an activist, writer, and publisher. The collection also includes minutes and other organizational materials from the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Lesbian and Gay Issues and the Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus. Magill was a member of both the committee and LAGPAC, and worked closely with other activists and local politicians on the Civil Rights Ordinance that passed in 1991. The collection also includes research notes, data, and other materials related to the publication of Exposing Hatred, a report published by LAGPAC about hate crimes against lesbians and gay people in New Orleans.

Dates

1980-1997

Creator

Magill, Rich, 1946 - 2016 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Access is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Biographical / Historical

Rich Magill was born in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated high school in Prattville, Alabama. After attending the University of Alabama, Magill entered the United States Air Force and then worked in construction until 1986, when he moved to New Orleans. In New Orleans, Magill quickly joined the Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus (LAGPAC) and became active in the attempt to lobby the city council to pass the anti-discrimination ordinance. He was added to the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Lesbian and Gay Issues by Sidney Barthelemy. Magill authored Exposing Hatred on behalf of LAGAPAC that examined homophobia and hate crimes in New Orleans. The publication helped convince reticent city council members to add language prohibiting discrimination on basis of gender or sexual orientation to the city’s Civil Rights Ordinance. In addition to his work for LAGPAC and the Advisory Committee, Magill also helped organize Gays and Lesbians Initiative to Educate Republications (G.L.I.T.E.R.), published the Big Easy Times, authored multiple editorials, and was a member of several regional and local organizations advocating for a variety of causes from Civil Rights to Veterans issues.

Extent

5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

When possible, Rich Magill's original order and file names have been preserved. Two series, Mayor's Advisory Committee on Lesbian and Gay Issues and Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus, have been created to arrange the bulk of the collection. Other organizations and issues have been arranged in either Subject files or General files.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Stewart Butler

Related Materials

Any duplicates of ephemera have been removed and filed in the ephemera collection.

Other related collections: LGBT Community Center of New Orleans records (MSS 1072), Skip Ward papers (MSS 1074), Stewart Butler papers (MSS 1099), and Alan Robinson papers (MSS 1104).