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Lesbian Legacy Collection subject files
Coll2009-004
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Lesbian Legacy Collection subject files
creator:
Retter, Yolanda
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2009-004
Physical Description:
28.5 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): circa 1960-2008
Abstract: Clippings, catalogs, organizational records, flyers, pamphlets, correspondence, manuscripts, press material, posters and other
printed material make up the Lesbian Legacy Collection Subject Files, begun in 1996 by lesbian feminist activist and librarian,
Yolanda Retter, at the ONE Institute / International Gay & Lesbian Archives (now the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives.)
The collection consists of over a thousand files related to lesbian history and the women's rights movement, circa 1960-2008.
In 1996, the ONE Institute / International Gay & Lesbian Archives (now the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives) introduced
three female members to its board of directors: Jeanne Córdova, Ivy Bottini and Karen Quimby. Along with other lesbian women
on the ONE board, Córdova, Bottini and Quimby spearheaded a campaign to increase lesbian visibility at ONE and to develop
a special collection within the archives, known as the Lesbian Legacy Collection. Karen Quimby served as its first director.
The Lesbian Legacy Collection (LLC) developed under the supervision of lesbian feminist, activist and librarian, Yolanda Retter.
Through a grant from the California Community Foundation and additional funds from ONE, Retter was hired as LLC's full-time
librarian, and the LLC opened its doors to the public in 1997. Among Retter's projects and activities was curating gay and
lesbian exhibits; creating and maintaining a website on lesbian history; providing resources for researchers and scholars;
and collecting, organizing and preserving the LLC subject files, a substantial portion of which was acquired by Jim Kepner,
founder of the International Gay & Lesbian Archives. In 2006, the Lesbian Legacy Collection ended its operations.
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE
National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright
holder(s).
A portion of the collection was acquired by International Gay & Lesbian Archives founder, Jim Kepner. The rest of the materials
were collected by Yolanda Retter and volunteers of the Lesbian Legacy Collection. For most of the materials, donors and dates
of acquisition are unknown.
[Folder title], Lesbian Legacy Collection Subject Files, Coll2009-004, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles,
California.
Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, March 27, 2009. Processing this collection has been funded in part by a generous donation
from Jeanne Córdova.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Lesbian Legacy Collection Subject Files comprises clippings, catalogs, organizational records, flyers, pamphlets, correspondence,
manuscripts, press material, posters, textiles, calendars and other printed material that document organizations, events and
individuals significant to the feminist and lesbian rights movement. The collection is divided into two series: (1) Subject
Files and (2) Posters and Textiles. The Subject Files are arranged alphabetically, and approximate dates range from the 1960s
to 2000s. The Posters and Textiles Series includes posters from events and organizations, and a single cloth armband.
ONE Subject File Collection, Coll2012-001, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Photographs in this collection have been separated to the ONE Archives Subject File Photographs, Coll2010-007, ONE National
Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gay and lesbian rights
Homosexuality
Lesbian activists
Lesbian artists
Lesbian authors
Lesbian feminism -- Archival resources
Lesbian musicians
Lesbian youth
Lesbians -- Civil rights
Lesbians -- Services for
Lesbians -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Lesbian Legacy Collection
Retter, Yolanda