Finding aid of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), Los Angeles Records
Coll2012.031
Finding aid prepared by Kate Dundon
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California, 90007
(213) 741-0094
askone@ONEarchives.org
(c) March 2012
Title: Gay Liberation Front (GLF), Los Angeles Records
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012.031
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 linear foot.
1 archive box.
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1969-1973
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.
creator:
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:
"Gay Liberation Front."
Outhistory.org
"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.
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:
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Gay activists--California--Los Angeles
Gay liberation movement--California--Los Angeles
Gay liberation movement--United States
Gay press publications
Gay rights--California--Los Angeles
Gays--Civil rights
Gays--Correspondence
Photographs
Series 1: Los Angeles Gay Liberation Front
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 1, Folder 1-5
Alpine County
1964-1978
Physical Description:
[5 folders]
Box 1, Folder 2
Correspondence and notes
1970
Box 1, Folder 3
Fliers and newsletters
1970-1972
Box 1, Folder 6-10
Clippings
1969-1987
Physical Description:
[5 folders]
Box 1, Folder 11-12
Correspondence
1969-1971
Physical Description:
[2 folders]
Box 1, Folder 14
Financial statements
1970
Box 1, Folder 15-16
Fliers
1969-1971
Physical Description:
[2 folders]
Box 1, Folder 18
GLF v. Edward M. Davis, Los Angeles Chief of Police
1970
Box 1, Folder 19
Meeting minutes, writings
1969-1971
Box 1, Folder 20
Notes by Jim Kepner
1970
Scope and Contents note
Jim Kepner's handwritten notes
Box 1, Folder 21
Photographs
1969-1971
Scope and Contents note
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; and a protest of Bellevue
Aushwitz.
Box 1, Folder 23
Statements of purpose
1970
Series 2: Other Gay Liberation Front groups
Bulk, 1970-1971
1970-1995
Physical Description:
[10 folders]
Scope and Contents
This series includes fliers, correspondence, mailing lists, and publications related to several chapers 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
1994-1995
Box 1, Folder 28-29
New York City
1970-1971
Physical Description:
[2 folders]
Scope and Contents note
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 1, Folder 33
San Fernando Valley
1976-1977
Box 1, Folder 35
Washington State Penitentiary
circa 1970
Scope and Contents note
Platform statement and constitution for The Washington State Penitentiary Gay Liberation Front and pamphlet
The Aid for Transsexuals in Prison.
