Description
The records, 1953-2001, comprise the editorial and administrative records of the
Advocate, 1967-2001, with the bulk from 1967-1974 when it was under the direction and editorship of Dick Michaels and Bill Rand. The
records include article drafts, clippings, artwork and illustrations, negatives, photographic prints, mock-ups, story notes,
correspondence, promotional materials, posters, and other records used in publishing the
Advocate.
Background
First published in September 1967, the
Advocate was a revised extension of the newsletter of the Los Angeles gay rights organization P.R.I.D.E. (Personal Rights through
Defense and Education). P.R.I.D.E. was founded in May 1966 by Steve Ginsberg to foster pride in the Los Angeles gay community.
P.R.I.D.E.'s tactics were more activist in nature than existing local gay organizations. On January 1, 1967, several New Years
revelers indulged in celebratory, same-sex kisses at the Los Angeles gay bar the Black Cat and were arrested as a result.
P.R.I.D.E., which helped to organize protests of the arrests in mid-January and early-February, passed out special editions
of their newsletters at the protests and received a boost in their membership. Dick Michaels and Bill Rand, a longtime couple,
attended the mid-January rally and soon took an interest in P.R.I.D.E.'s struggling newsletter, which up to that time had
been surreptitiously copied by a P.R.I.D.E. member who worked the graveyard shift at ABC Studios.
Extent
26.4 linear feet.
14 records boxes + 7 flat boxes
Restrictions
Researchers wishing to publish material must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner of the material. Note that permission to publish does not constitute copyright clearance. ONE National Gay
& Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold copyright. It is the responsibility
of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials from the copyright holder(s).
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.