BRIAN J. COYLE:

An Inventory of His Papers

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BIOGRAPHY OF BRIAN COYLE

Brian J. Coyle was born in Great Falls, Montana (June 25, 1944) and raised in Moorhead, Minnesota. He graduated from Moorhead High School (1961) and received his BA degree from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis (1967). While attending the University Coyle participated in the Young Democrats and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS); wrote for the Minnesota Daily; helped organize the first Vietnam teach-in; and originated the Free University.

After graduation Coyle taught humanities at Moorhead State University (Sept. 1967-June 1968). He was indicted twice for failure to comply with the draft (1968), but was acquitted both times as a conscientious objector. He returned to Minneapolis and worked at the Twin Cities Draft Information Center (Jan. 1969-Dec. 1971) and helped found the alternative newpaper, Hundred Flowers. Coyle made public his homosexuality in 1971 and became a life-long activist in the gay rights movement.

Coyle was a member of the New American Movement (NAM) (1971-1974), a national organization that attempted to unite the New Left after the collapse of SDS. He worked as the organization's national office coordinator, directed the National Campaign to Impeach Nixon, acted as project coordinator for the Coalition to Stop Funding the War, and coordinated the North Country Peace Campaign. In 1974 Coyle visited Vietnam as a Midwest representative of the Indochina Peace Campaign.

During the mid and late 1970s Coyle worked defending tenants' rights and campaigning for a rent control ordinance; was involved with powerline protests in rural Minnesota (1978); and organized Minnesotans Against the Downtown Dome (MADD), a coalition opposed to the construction of a downtown sports stadium (1979-1981). Coyle was also the founder and director of The Progressive Roundtable (1980-1988), a monthly forum focused on local and national progressive issues and personalities.

Coyle ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate (1978), Minneapolis mayor (1979), and 6th ward alderman (1981). In 1983 he won his bid for 6th ward alderman and served three successive terms. While on the city council Coyle's primary interests centered on affordable housing, economic development, civil and human rights, the environment, and transportation.

Coyle was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1986 and publicly disclosed the fact in April, 1991. He died from AIDS-related complications on August 23, 1991.

Biographical data was taken from the collection.

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SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION

Personal, political, and official papers documenting the life and career of a gay activist and Minneapolis (Minn.) city council member. The papers include correspondence (1965-1991), memoranda, notes, agendas, minutes, calendars, financial statements, legal documents, appointment books (1984-1990), journals (1974, 1986, 1989-1991), bills, resolutions, ordinances, maps, campaign literature (1981-1990), flyers, pamphlets, newsletters, programs, a briefing book (1990), comic books, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, scrapbooks (1981-1990), posters, slide shows (1974, 1987), audio tapes (1974, 1977-1978, 1982, 1990), and video tapes (1984-1991). They document Coyle's political career from the mid-1960s, when he became active in the New Left, through his membership in the New American Movement (1972-1974), his work as a tenants' rights activist (1974-1981), and his tenure on the Minneapolis city council as sixth ward alderman (1984-1991).

The papers also reflect Coyle's membership in a number of gay organizations and work on gay related issues such as violence against gays (1984-1987), the promotion of gay elected officials, sponsorship of a domestic partnership ordinance (1983-1991), and AIDS prevention and treatment (1986-1991). Coyle was infected with HIV and his struggle with the disease and decision to publicly disclose his status are also documented (1989-1991.

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