David Nelson papers, 1983-2012

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Nelson, David K. (David Keith)
Title
David Nelson papers
Dates
1983-2012 (inclusive)
Quantity
10 linear feet, (9 boxes and 1 tube)
Collection Number
ACCN 2713
Summary
The David Nelson papers (1983-2012) contain documents, memorabilia and news clippings spanning his tenure as an activist for the rights of Utah's LGBT community. Nelson was an activist and spokesperson for the rights of the gay and lesbian communities. He also founded the Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats (GLUD), an organization that lobbied for the rights of, and promoted participation within, the gay community in local and national politics.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

David Keith Nelson was born in Salt Lake City in 1962. He attended the University of Utah from 1982 through 1984, majoring in political science. Nelson's decades long career as an activist and spokesperson for the rights of the gay and lesbian communities began during this time when he founded the Military Law Task Force of Salt Lake City and served as vice president of the Lesbian and Gay Student Union. Among other activities, many of which are documented in the collection, he ran in 1985 as a nonpartisan candidate for the 3rd District seat of the Salt Lake City Council. In 1990 he founded the Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats (GLUD), an organization that lobbied for the rights of, and promoted participation within, the gay community in local and national politics. Nelson was actively involved in the Clinton and Gore campaigns of 1996 and 2000, and he served as Utah Delegate to the Democratic National Conventions during these years. He founded Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah in 2002 to promote awareness of Second Amendment rights among the LGBT communities. Nelson has also played an active role as publisher, editor, and regular contributor to local publications including Triangle Magazine, Salt Lake Metro and QSaltLake.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The David Nelson papers contain documents, memorabilia and newsclippings spanning his tenure as an activist for the rights of Utah's LGBT community.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The donor's original order has been maintained.

Acquisition Information

Donated by David Nelson in 2013.

Processing Note

Processed by Matthew Weathered in 2013.

Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records.

Separated Materials

Video tapes and photographs have been transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

I:  LGBT ActivismReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Correspondence
1988-1994
1 2
Curriculum Vitae
1 3
David Nelson for Utah Democratic Secretary, Campaign Materials
1993-1994
1 4
Democratic National Committee Meeting
2001
1 5
Files Discs
Contains digital files of various electronic Correspondence.
1 6
Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats (GLUD)
1990-1994
1 7
Greeting Cards and Invitations
1993-2005
1 8
Homosexuality in Schools, Literature and Correspondence
1 9
Lawrence O'Brien Democratic Party Achievement Award
1998
1 10
LGBT Newspapers
Contains copies of the Community Reporter and Triangle Magazine.
1985-1986
1 11
" Membership Incentives in Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats"" by Alex Thornell
1993
1 12
Olympic Organizing Committee Appointment Materials
1995
1 13
Photographs
1993-1996
1 14
Presidential Inauguration Materials
1997
1 15
Salt Lake City Council Race
Contains materials from Nelson's campaign as well as newspaper clippings.
1985
1 16
Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission Bill
1986-1987
1 17
Salt Lake County Anti-Discrimination Legislation
1992-1993
1 18
Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah
2003
1 19
Utah Democratic Gay and Lesbian Caucus, Rules of
1 20
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
2011-2012
1 21
Utah State Democratic Party
2005-2006
1 22
Wesley Clark Campaign Materials
2004
1 23
Utah Pride Festival
2007
1 24
Newspaper Clippings
1983-2012

II:  1996 and 2000 Presidential ElectionsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
Americans for Democratic Action
1996
2 2
Chicago Jobs and Living Wage Campaign
1996
2 3
Clinton-Gore Action Kit
1996
2 4
Clinton-Gore Surrogate Speaker's Kit
1996
2 5
Clinton-Gore Utah Steering Committee
1996
2 6
Convention Delegate Materials
1996
2 7
Democratic Leadership Council
1996
2 8-10
Democratic National Committee (DNC), Campaign Training Manual
1996
2 11
Democratic National Convention, Official Documents
1996
2 12
Democratic National Convention, Official Proceedings
1996
2 13
Democratic National Convention, Welcome Packet
1996
3 1
Democratic National Convention, Welcome Packet
1996
3 2
Human Rights Campaign
1996
3 3
Invitations and Affiliated Organizations' Literature
1996
3 4
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Campaign Publications
1996
3 5
Utah Lesbian and Gay Committee
1996
3 6
Utah State Democratic Party, Coordinated Campaign Plan
1996
3 7
Americans for Democratic Action
2000
3 8
Affiliated Organization Materials
2000
3 9
Convention Delegate Materials
2000
3 10
Democratic National Convention, Official Documents
2000
3 11-12
Democratic National Convention, Welcome Packet
2000
4 1
Gay and Lesbian Americans for Gore, Utah Committee
2000
4 2
Gore Campaign Literature
2000
4 3
Hotel Organizing Project
2000
4 4
Human Rights Campaign
2000
4 5
Invitations
2000
4 6
LGBT Materials
2000
4 7
Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center
2000
4 8
Magazines, Election Issues
2000
4 9
Promotional Materials
2000
4 10
Utah State Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan
2000
4 11
Utah State Democratic Committee, Delegate Selection Materials
1999-2000
4 12
Utah State Democratic Party, Constitution
2000
4 13
Western States Presidential Primary
1999

III:  General MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
5
Awards, Fliers and Convention Memorabilia
1993-2008
6
Democratic National Convention Memorabilia
1996-2000
9
Newspapers, Election Editions
2000
Folder
9 1
Bill Clinton inauguration invitation and program
1997
tube
10
Campaign and Stonewall Shooting Sports Banners

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Gay activists--Utah--Archives
  • Gay people--Political activity--Utah--Archives
  • Gay rights--Utah
  • LGBT activism--Utah
  • Political Campaigns--Utah--20th century
  • Presidents--United States--Election--1996--Archives
  • Presidents--United States--Election--2000--Archives
  • Sexual minorities--Legal status, laws, etc.--Utah--Salt Lake City
  • Sexual minority political candidates--Utah--Salt Lake City--Archives

Personal Names

  • Nelson, David K. (David Keith)--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Democratic National Convention (1996 : Chicago, Ill.)--Records and correspondence
  • Democratic National Convention (2000 : Los Angeles, Calif.)--Records and correspondence
  • Democratic Party (U.S.)--Records and correspondence
  • Democratic Party (Utah)--Records and correspondence
  • Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah--Archives
  • University of Utah. Department of Political Science--Alumni and alumnae--Archives

Form or Genre Terms

  • Banners
  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Community newspapers
  • Compact discs
  • Greeting cards
  • LGBTQ+ newspapers
  • Legislative materials
  • Memorabilia
  • Newspapers
  • Periodicals
  • Personal correspondence
  • Records (Documents)