Imagine stepping back to 1952. That was when ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives first emerged as ONE Inc.
This organization dared to publish ONE Magazine. It was the first widely distributed publication for homosexuals in the United States. This magazine featured articles, editorials, short stories and more.
Now known as ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives at the USC Libraries it stands as the oldest continuing LGBTQ organization in the United States. It also claims the title of the largest repository of LGBTQ materials worldwide.
Jim Kepner played a vital role. He obsessively collected LGBTQ materials. His collection started in 1942. It began with Radclyffe Hall’s book “The Well of Loneliness”.
Kepner later moved to Los Angeles. He attended his first Mattachine Society meeting. This early homophile organization was founded in 1951.
ONE Inc. emerged from discussions among Mattachine Society members. They wanted to create a magazine for homosexuals. W. Dorr Legg was also an important part of this group.
Kepner contributed to ONE Magazine. He founded the ONE Institute with Legg and Dr. Thomas M. Merritt. The Institute was the educational arm of ONE Inc. It conducted seminars and published a journal.
ONE Magazine stopped publishing in 1967. However the Institute continued its advocacy under Legg. It even issued advanced degrees in “Homophile Studies”.
Kepner named his collection the Western Gay Archives in 1971. It was housed in his Hollywood apartment. His archives moved to a storefront. It became the National Gay Archives. Later it was renamed the International Gay & Lesbian Archives. This reflected the growing scope of its collections.
Kepner’s archives merged with the ONE Institute in 1994. In 2000, it moved to its current location at the University of Southern California. The archives were renamed ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives.
ONE Archives became part of the USC Libraries system in 2010. Today it houses over two million items. These include periodicals, books, films, photographs and personal papers.
ONE Archives’ mission is clear. It collects, preserves and provides access to LGBTQ historical materials. It also promotes new scholarship and public awareness of queer histories.
ONE Inc. opened a public office in Downtown Los Angeles in 1953. In 1957 the Supreme Court ruled in favor of ONE Magazine’s distribution. This was a landmark decision for freedom of speech.
ONE Archives also holds significant collections. These include the ACT UP/Los Angeles Records. Also included are the Jeanne Córdova Papers and Photographs.
Consider the exhibitions ONE Archives has organized. “Cruising the Archive: Queer Art and Culture in Los Angeles, 1945–1980” was part of Pacific Standard Time. “Axis Mundo: Queer Networks in Chicano L.A.” was a collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art.
These exhibitions highlight the rich history and culture preserved within these walls. The ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives is more than just a repository. It is a living testament to the ongoing fight for LGBTQ rights and recognition.