Primary Source Set: Briggs initiative

The Briggs Initiative (1978) was a failed California ballot proposition (Proposition 6) which would have banned gay and lesbian people from working in California schools. Although it was spearheaded by state legislator John Briggs, the public face of the initiative was Anita Bryant, a singer and former beauty queen who was the spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission. Bryant’s successful efforts to repeal a Dade County ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation had galvanized opposition to LGBTQ rights in several states, including Oklahoma and Arkansas, which banned queer people from teaching in public schools.

The defeat of the Briggs Initiative was a significant turning point in the Bay Area’s queer history. Opposition to the proposition was swift, passionate, and creative. Queer people canvassed, wrote letters to the editors, and came out to loved ones and neighbors in order to teach the public that they were already a part of civic and professional life. Harvey Milk was instrumental in defeating Briggs, and by the end of the campaign, even ex-governor Ronald Reagan voiced public opposition to the measure, which was defeated by a margin of 58.4% to 41.6%.

Selected Source Set

Additional Resources

The audio excerpts above are only part of our large collection of online audio on this topic. Search "Briggs" to see more, as well as additional information about the links we’ve provided.

The Bay Area Reporter has covered this topic extensively.

The GLBT Historical Society told the story of Proposition 6 in a 2018-19 exhibit.

Contact reference@glbthistory.org for research questions or information about reproductions and permissions.

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