The Ladder Periodical Collection

SJSU Special Collections & Archives

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

San José State University

One Washington Square

San José, CA 95192-0028

(408) 808-2062

special.collections@sjsu.edu

http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives

Title: The Ladder Periodical Collection

Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2012.07.05

Contributing Institution: SJSU Special Collections & Archives

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 1.0 Linear feet, 1 box

Date (bulk): Bulk, 1965-1966

Date (inclusive): 1963-1966

Abstract: The Ladder Periodical Collection consists of incomplete magazine issues from the The Ladder—A Lesbian Review dating between the years 1963-1966. These magazines were very important to the acceptance of homosexuality in the United States during the 1960s and1970s. The Ladder was published by the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), a lesbian organization, and was the primary form of communication within that group. It was the first nationally distributed magazine of its type in the United States. This magazine became an important communication forum for lesbians across the country. The magazine content typically consisted of reports, reviews, anecdotes, and book reviews concerning the sensitive content of the public and private lives of all homosexuals, but with a specific focus on lesbians. This single series collection is arranged chronologically by month/date: Series I: The Ladder Periodical Collection, 1963-1966.

Physical Location: Vault 1, Range 20A

Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

The Ladder Periodical Collection, MSS-07-05-2012, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Maegan Sloggett. Encoded in the Archivist Toolkit. Reviewed by Danelle Moon.

Bibliography

Gallo, Marcia M. “The Ladder: A Lesbian Review 1956-1927,” in the Women and Social Movements in the U.S., 1600-2000, Kathryn Kish Skar and Thomas Dublin, eds., (Alexander Street Press, 2010): 1-17. Meeker, Martin. Contacts Desired; Gay and Lesbian Communications and Community, 1940s-1970's (Chicago University Press, 2006).

Related Materials Note

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender periodicals collection, MSS-2005-05, San Jose State University Library Special Collections and Archives.

One Periodical Collection, MSS-07-09-2005, San Jose State University Library Special Collections and Archives.

Arrangement

This single series collection is arranged chronologically by month/date: Series I: The Ladder Periodical Collection, 1963-1966.

Scope and Content of Collection

The Ladder Periodical Collection consists of incomplete magazine issues from the The Ladder—A Lesbian Review dating between the years 1963-1966. These magazines were very important to the acceptance of homosexuality in the United States during the 1960s and1970s. The Ladder was published by the Daughters of Bilitis, a lesbian organization, and was the primary form of communication within that group. It was the first nationally distributed magazine of its type in the United States. This magazine became an important communication forum for lesbians across the country. The magazine content typically consisted of reports, reviews, anecdotes, and book reviews concerning the sensitive content of the public and private lives of all homosexuals, but with a specific focus on lesbians.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Gay newspapers--United States.

Gay press publications--United States.

Lesbian Community -- United States.

The Ladder Periodical Collection Bulk, 1965-1966 1963-1966

Language of Material: English

Physical Description

One box

Scope and Content of Collection

The Ladder Periodical Collection consists of magazine issues from the The Ladder—A Lesbian Review dating between the years 1963-1966. The Ladder was first nationally distributed magazine created by lesbians for lesbian in the United States and ran from 1956-1972. In 1956, the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) launched The Ladder as a means to attract new members and to provide a lesbian voice in the larger male-dominated homophile (love of same) community. DOB co-founder Phyliss Lyon served as the editor from 1956-1960; Lyon’s life-long partner, Del Martin served from 1960-1963; Barbara Gittings served from 1963-1966; Helen Sandoz served from 1966-1968; and Barbara Grier served from 1968-1972.

The Ladder became an important communication forum for lesbians across the country, providing a venue for DOB to appeal to the community for financial support and volunteers, while providing the readership with reports on national homophile conventions, and provided updates on local DOB chapter activities. The magazine content typically consisted of reports, reviews, anecdotes, and book reviews concerning the sensitive content of the public and private lives of all homosexuals, but with a specific focus on lesbians.

Arrangement

This single series collection is arranged chronologically by month/date: Series I: The Ladder Periodical Collection, 1963-1966.

Folder 1A, The Ladder, November 1957, February 1962

Folder 1B, The Ladder, May- June 1963