First published in June 1994, The Paper was originally developed through a Monterey County AIDS Project (MCAP) Education and Prevention grant from the State Office of AIDS as part of an effort to promote HIV risk reduction. According to The Paper’s mission statement in v. 1, no. 1, its purpose was “to inform and give voice to the concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups and individuals of Monterey County in order to contribute to the growth, stability and cohesiveness of that community to the benefit of all its members.” In 1996, The Paper ended its affiliation with MCAP and became an independent commercial newspaper.

These newspapers are part of the Matt Friday and Bruce Carlson papers, which contain material documenting the political activity and community involvement of Matt Friday and Bruce Carlson. The bulk of material relates in particular to their activism on behalf of the LGBTQ community in the Monterey County region and its struggle for legal and social recognition.

For more information, view the finding aid for the collection, or contact Archives and Special Collections at archives@csumb.edu.