Offices of "Big Mama Rag"

Big Mama Rag was a monthly publication covering a wide range of feminist issues from 1974 to 1984.

“We talked and wrote about so many things: the growing challenge and inclusion of women in many fields – law, literature, religion, politics; sexuality, violence against women and what should be done about it, racism, reproductive rights, a blossoming culture of art and music,” wrote Kathy Riley, a member of the collective that produced the newspaper.

The group applied for nonprofit status from the IRS in 1974 and was initially refused for, among other reasons, “the articles, lectures, editorials, etc. promoting lesbianism.”

Big Mama Rag sued and, in a 1980 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against the IRS, finding that applications for tax exemption must be evaluated neutrally.

In the opinion of the Court, IRS officials unfairly passed judgement on the content of the publication, violating the First Amendment.

Additional Resources

View issues of Big Mama Rag.

Explore the Big Mama Rag exhibit.