Finding aid to the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), Los Angeles records Coll2012-031

Kate Dundon
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
(c) March 2012
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
askone@usc.edu


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Gay Liberation Front (GLF) Los Angeles records
creator: Gay Liberation Front/Los Angeles
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012-031
Identifier/Call Number: 283
Physical Description: 1.2 Linear Feet 2 boxes.
Date (inclusive): 1969-1995
Abstract: Founded in 1969, the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was a loosely structured group of gay rights activists who were interested in the radical sexual liberation for all people. This collection consists of publicity material, photographs, correspondence, clippings, and writings that relate primarily to the Los Angeles group of the Gay Liberation Front.

Administrative History

The Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was a loosely structured group of gay rights activists who were interested in the radical sexual liberation for all people. In the summer of 1969, independent GLF chapters were founded in several cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Members in Los Angeles offered draft counseling, and organized "Gay-ins," dances, protests, and other demonstrations. Founded soon after the Stonewall Riots in New York, New York, the GLF's counterculture philosophy and lack of organizational hierarchy contrasted sharply existing homophile gay rights groups like the Mattachine Society. The GLF represents a break with the more conservative homophile movement, which sought to integrate gays and lesbians into society, and a movement toward the radical liberation of all oppressed people. The lack of organizational structure, and the alignment of some members with radical groups like the Black Panther Party contributed to an increasing fragmentation of GLF membership, and local groups eventually dissolved in 1972.
Sources: http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/Gay_Liberation_Front
"Early Liberation: Los Angeles and the First Gay Pride." Get Out LB. (http://getoutlb.com/wp/2011/10/early-liberation-los-angeles-and-the-first-gay-pride/)
Kissack, Terence. "Freaking Fag Revolutionaries: New York's Gay Liberation Front, 1969-1971." Radical History Review, Spring 1995 (62); 105-134.

Access

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Publication Rights

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).

Acquisition Information

Donor and date of acquisition unknown.

Preferred Citation

Box #, folder #, Gay Liberation Front (GLF), Los Angeles Records, Coll2012.031, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California

Processing Information

Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Collection processed by Kate Dundon, 2012.

Scope and Contents

This collection primarily consists of publicity material, photographs, correspondence, clippings, and writings related to the Los Angeles chapter of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), as well as a small amount of material related to GLF chapters in other U.S. cities and London. GLF newsletters can be found in the periodicals collection.

Arrangement

Files are arranged in alphabetical order into following series:
Series 1: Los Angeles Gay Liberation Front
Series 2: Other Gay Liberation Front groups

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Clippings
Gays -- Civil rights
Gay rights -- California
Gay activists -- California -- Los Angeles
Gay liberation movement -- United States
Photographs
Gay liberation movement -- California -- Los Angeles
Gays -- Correspondence
Gay press publications
Correspondence

 

Series 1: Los Angeles Gay Liberation Front 49227 1964-1987

Physical Description: [23 folders]

Scope and Contents

This series includes material related to the Los Angeles chapter of the Gay Liberation Front, such as fliers, brochures, press releases, photographs of demonstrations and meetings, meeting minutes, correspondence, newspaper clippings about gay rights activism in Los Angeles and other parts of the United States, and writings about gay activism. Also included is material related to the attempt by gay activists to establish an all-gay separatist community in Alpine County, California in 1970 (informally known as Stonewall Nation), as well as affidavits and other material relating to Gay-Ins held in Griffith Park in 1970, which resulted in a suit against Edward M. Davis, the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Box 2, Folder 9

Advertisement designs by Tony DeRosa 54123 undated

Box 1, Folder 1-5

Alpine County 50003 1964-1978

Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 1, Folder 1

Clippings 50004 1970-1978

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence and notes 50005 1970

Box 1, Folder 3

Fliers and newsletters 50006 1970-1972

Box 1, Folder 4

Photographs 50007 1970

Box 1, Folder 5

Zoning ordinance 50008 1964

Box 1, Folder 6-10

Clippings 49228 1969-1987

Physical Description: [5 folders]
Box 1, Folder 11-12

Correspondence 49229 1969-1971

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 1, Folder 13

Dances 49230 1970-1973

Box 1, Folder 14

Financial statements 49231 1970

Box 1, Folder 15-16

Fliers 49232 1969-1971

Physical Description: [2 folders]
Box 1, Folder 17

Gay-Ins 49233 1970-1971

Box 1, Folder 18

GLF v. Edward M. Davis, Los Angeles Chief of Police 50136 1970

Box 1, Folder 19

Meeting minutes, writings 49234 1969-1971

Box 1, Folder 20

Notes by Jim Kepner 49236 1970

Scope and Contents

Jim Kepner's handwritten notes
Box 1, Folder 21

Photographs 49237 1969-1971

Gay Liberation Front photographs, sample

Scope and Contents

Includes photographs of Morris Kight; Peter Sorgen; gay rights demonstrations and protests; demonstration at The Farm; demonstration at Macy's; demonstration at the National Association for Mental Health event at the Biltmore Hotel; a protest of Bellevue Aushwitz, and the 1970 Gay-In at Griffith Park.
Box 1, Folder 22

Press releases 49238 1970-1975

Box 1, Folder 23

Statements of purpose 49239 1970

Box 1, Folder 24

Survival Committee 49240 1970

 

Series 2: Other Gay Liberation Front groups 50009 1970-1995 1970-1971

Physical Description: [10 folders]

Scope and Contents

This series includes fliers, correspondence, mailing lists, and publications related to several chapters of the Gay Liberation Front, as well as a small amount of material related to the 25th anniversary of the GLF.
Box 1, Folder 25

25th anniversary 49999 1994-1995

Box 1, Folder 26

London 49241 1971

Box 1, Folder 27

Milwaukee 49242 1970

Box 2, Folder 1-2

New York City 49244 1970-1971

Physical Description: [2 folders]

Scope and Contents

In addition to flyers, correspondence, meeting minutes, financial documentation, and other internal documentation related to the New York City GLF, these files contain Gay Flames publications and mailing lists.
Box 2, Folder 3

Portland 50001 1970

Box 2, Folder 4

Rochester, NY 49245 1971

Box 2, Folder 5

San Diego 50137 1970

Box 2, Folder 6

San Fernando Valley 49246 1976-1977

Box 2, Folder 7

San Francisco 50002 1970-1975

Box 2, Folder 8

Washington State Penitentiary 49247 circa 1970

Scope and Contents

Platform statement and constitution for The Washington State Penitentiary Gay Liberation Front and pamphlet The Aid for Transsexuals in Prison.
Box 1, Folder 28

Clippings 1969-1971

Physical Description: [oversized]

Scope and Contents

December 1969, Esquire magazine article, "The New Homosexuality" and December 31, 1971, Life magazine article, "Homosexuals in Revolt."