Fonds 10-031 - Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund fonds

General material designation

  • Graphic material
  • Textual record

Parallel title

Other title information

Title statements of responsibility

Title notes

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

CA ON0034 10-031

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

Statement of projection (cartographic)

Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

Physical description area

Physical description

39.4 cm of textual records

20 photographs

20 negatives

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

Parallel titles of publisher's series

Other title information of publisher's series

Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series

Numbering within publisher's series

Note on publisher's series

Archival description area

Name of creator

(1978-1987)

Administrative history

"In 1978, members from Wages Due Lesbians created a new organization called Lesbian Mothers’ Defence Fund (LMDF). Modelled on the Seattle organization Lesbian Mothers’ National Defense Fund, this new group was formed in Toronto in 1978 and was primarily concerned with helping lesbian mothers in child custody cases. As such, it collected a large amount of documents on trials held in Canada and the United States, which it distributed to lesbian mothers or/and their lawyers. It also provided some financial assistance and emotional support to lesbian mothers.
To reach as many women as possible it also began to publish a newsletter, Grapevine: the newsletter of the Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund. Not only did it inform women but the money helped to support the running of the organization. The Lesbian Mothers’ Defence Fund also raised money by holding dances and accepting donations. However, the revenues were slim and they had to rely heavily on grants given by several companies. By 1987 the organization ceased operations.
-
En 1978, des membres de Wages Due Lesbians ont créé une nouvelle organisation appelée Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund (LMDF). Inspiré de l'organisation Lesbian Mothers' National Defense Fund de Seattle, ce nouveau groupe est créé à Toronto en 1978 et a pour objectif principal d'aider les mères lesbiennes dans les affaires de garde d'enfants. A ce titre, il recueille une grande quantité de documents sur les procès tenus au Canada et aux Etats-Unis, qu'il distribue aux mères lesbiennes ou/et à leurs avocats. Elle a également apporté une aide financière et un soutien émotionnel aux mères lesbiennes.
Afin de toucher le plus grand nombre de femmes possible, elle a également commencé à publier un bulletin d'information, Grapevine : the newsletter of the Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund. Non seulement ce bulletin informait les femmes, mais l'argent récolté permettait de financer le fonctionnement de l'organisation. Le Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund a également collecté des fonds en organisant des soirées dansantes et en acceptant des dons. Cependant, les revenus étaient faibles et l'organisation devait compter fortement sur les subventions accordées par plusieurs entreprises. En 1987, l'organisation a cessé ses activités."

Custodial history

This fonds was donated by Francie Wyland to the University of Ottawa Archives and Special Collections in 1993 along with the Toronto Wages for Housework Committee fonds and Wages Due Lesbians fonds.

Scope and content

This fonds contains mostly clippings and court cases reflecting the Lesbian Mothers’ Defence Fund mandate of providing information and emotional support for lesbian mothers involved in child custody cases. They achieved this by creating a source of literature for lawyers and lesbian mothers to consult, such as court cases, Lesbian Mother Litigation Manual and other articles on the subject. The fonds also includes administrative documents such as meeting minutes and reports, as well as correspondence with affiliated groups and individuals.
-
Ce fonds contient principalement des coupures de presse et des affaires judiciaires reflétant le mandat du Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund, qui consiste à fournir des informations et un soutien émotionnel aux mères lesbiennes impliquées dans des affaires de garde d'enfants. Pour ce faire, le Fonds a créé une source de documentation que les avocats et les mères lesbiennes peuvent consulter, comme des affaires judiciaires, le Lesbian Mother Litigation Manual et d'autres articles sur le sujet. Le fonds comprend également des documents administratifs tels que des procès-verbaux et des rapports de réunions, ainsi que de la correspondance avec des groupes et des individus affiliés.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Arrangement

Originally this fonds was classified as part of 10-008. Legacy numbering reflects this.

Language of material

Script of material

Location of originals

Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

The majority of the fonds is open and accessible, however, some files are restricted for a predetermined period of time. Please ask ARCS staff for further information.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Finding aids

Associated materials

Issues of the Lesbian Mothers' Defense Fund publication, "Grapevine" are available within the archives' feminist periodical collection at call number HQ 75.53 .G726.

Accruals

Alternative identifier(s)

Standard number area

Standard number

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Control area

Description record identifier

CA

Institution identifier

ON0034

Rules or conventions

RAD

Status

Final

Level of detail

Full

Dates of creation, revision and deletion

Language of description

  • English

Script of description

Sources

Accession area

Related people and organizations

Related places

Related genres