Writings, photographs, correspondence, clippings, mailing lists, pamphlets, flyers, graphic art, award certificates, videotapes, and other material from gay activist Ernie Potvin, 1947-1998. Potvin was a founder of Puerto Rico's first gay and lesbian rights organization in 1972. The bulk of the collection documents Potvin's gay activism in Los Angeles and Puerto Rico.

Born in Massachusetts in 1931, Ernie Potvin moved to Puerto Rico in 1956. He later helped to found one of Puerto Rico's first gay and lesbian rights organizations, Comunidad De Orgullo Gay, in 1972. After moving to Los Angeles in 1976, Potvin worked as an actor, a journalist for local gay publications, and a commercial graphic artist. He volunteered for gay organizations such as the Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus, Christopher Street West, and the ONE Institute and Archives. Potvin died of heart failure in 1998.

1.25 Linear Feet 1 box.

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

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