Finding Aid to the Ernie Potvin Papers, 1947-1998
Coll2011-070
Marc LaRocque and Loni Shibuyama
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Ernie Potvin papers
creator:
Potvin, Ernie
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2011-070
Physical Description:
1.25 Linear Feet
1 box.
Date (inclusive): 1947-1998
Abstract: 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.
Biography
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.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Acquisition
Donor and date of acquisition unknown.
Processing Information
Formerly box #103-058. Collection processed by Marc LaRoque; revised by Loni Shibuyama, April 2014.
Scope and Content
Writings, photographs, correspondence, clippings, mailing lists, pamphlets, flyers, graphic art, award certificates, videotapes,
and other material, 1947-1998, from gay activist Ernie Potvin, founder of Puerto Rico's first gay and lesbian rights organization
Comunidad de Orgullo Gay. The bulk of the collection documents Potvin's gay activism in Los Angeles and Puerto Rico, and includes
photographs from Puerto Rico's first gay pride parade. Also included are videotapes (VHS) of the 1994 International Lesbian
and Gay Association (ILGA) conference.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged alphabetically.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder #, or item name] Ernie Potvin Papers, Coll2011-070, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California.
Related Materials
Potvin was the art director of the The San Juan Review, 1964-1966. The digitized publication is available at www.sanjuanreview.com.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Clippings
Gay activists -- California -- Los Angeles
Gay community -- Puerto Rico
Gay pride parades -- Puerto Rico
Photographs
Potvin, Ernie
Box 1, Folder 1-2
Articles, writings by Potvin
circa 1981-1982
Box 1, Folder 3
Award certificates
1982-1985
Box 1, Item 29
"Great American Yankee Freedom Band of Los Angeles; In appreciation to Ernie Potvin for Outstanding Service as Manager"
1978-1979
Box 1, Item 30
"Great American Yankee Freedom Band of Los Angeles; Special Service Award to Ernie Potvin"
November 10, 1981
Box 1, Folder 4
Becoming a People by Jim Kepner, with annotations by Potvin
1995
Box 1, Folder 7-9
Gay and lesbian article printouts from American Online (AOL) News and Associated Press (AP)
1997-1998
Box 1, Folder 10
Gay and lesbian organization flyers, mailers, and publicity material
1980-1998
Box 1, Folder 11
Gay Cuban refugees, interview notes
1980
Box 1, Folder 12
Graphic designs by Potvin
1978-1985
Item VV3083-VV3093
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) conference [video recording]
1994
Physical Description: 11 videocassettes (VHS).
Box 1, Folder 13
Kepner, Jim, memorial
1997-1998
Box 1, Folder 14
Lambda Arts Council, draft proposal
1979-1980
Box 1, Folder 15
Mailing and distribution lists
1981
Box 1, Folder 16
Moscow, Russia, gay and lesbian material
1996
Photographs
Potvin (Ernie) photographs, sample
Box 1, Folder 17
Anti-war protests
undated
Physical Description: 5 b&w photographs.
Box 1, Folder 18
Potvin, Ernie
1983
Physical Description: 7 b&w photographs and 3 color photographs.
Box 1, Folder 20
Puerto Rico
1995-1996
Physical Description: 5 photographs.
Box 1, Folder 19
Puerto Rico gay parade
1996
Physical Description: 82 color photographs.
Box 1, Folder 21
Women Take Back the Night Rally
1980
Physical Description: 11 b&w photographs.
Box 1, Folder 22
Miscellaneous
1974-1997
Physical Description: 6 b&w photographs and 3 color photographs.
Scope and Contents
Includes photographs of Jim Kepner, a Griff's bar softball team portrait, a gay men's wrestling team, participants in a AIDS
symposium session (1983), Tony Taylor, Colin Booth, Freddy Berkovitz of Dragazine, the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays (PFLAG) group at the Los Angeles gay pride parade (1997), and Potvin at a pride parade.
Box 1, Folder 23
Miscellaneous paper printout images, annotated
1993
Scope and Contents
Includes images of Fred Frisbie, Louisa Sola, Don Slater, Marilyn van Veersen and Bren Chambers.
Box 1, Folder 24
Potvin Family history
1985-1992
Box 1, Folder 25
Puerto Rico Comunidad de Orgullo Gay
1974-1976
Box 1, Folder 26
Puerto Rico gay and lesbian material
1985-1995
Box 1, Folder 27
Theatrical performances by Potvin, publicity material
1947-1977
Box 1, Folder 28
Ventura County gay and lesbian resources
1988
