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Finding aid of the Lesbian Legacy Collection Subject
Files
Coll2009-004
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Title: Lesbian Legacy Collection subject
files
Dates: ca.
1920-2008
Bulk Dates: 1970-2007
Collection number: Coll2009-004
Creator:
Retter, Yolanda,
1947-2007
Collection Size: 24 archive boxes + 3 archive
cartons + 1 flat archive box + 1 map case drawer. 28.5 linear
feet.
Repository:
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90007
Abstract: Photographs, clippings, catalogs, organizational
records, flyers, pamphlets, correspondence, manuscripts, press material,
slides, 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.
Languages: Languages
represented in the collection: English
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).
Lesbian Legacy Collection subject files, Coll2009-004, ONE National Gay
and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
A substantial portion of the collection was acquired by International
Gay & Lesbian Archives founder, James 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.
Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, March 27, 2009. Processing this
collection has been funded in part by Jeanne Córdova.
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 James Kepner, founder of the International Gay & Lesbian Archives. In
2006, the Lesbian Legacy Collection ended its operations.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Lesbian Legacy Collection Subject Files comprises clippings,
catalogs, organizational records, flyers, pamphlets, correspondence,
manuscripts, press material, slides, photographs, 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) Photographs, Posters and
Textiles. The Subject Files are arranged alphabetically, and approximate dates
range from the 1950s to 2000s. The Photographs, Posters and Textiles Series
includes posters from events and organizations, a single cloth armband, and
photographs, some of which date as early as the 1920s.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Gay and lesbian rights
Gay liberation movement--United States
Homosexuality
Lesbian activists
Lesbian artists
Lesbian authors
Lesbian feminism
Lesbian Legacy Collection
Lesbian youth
Lesbians--Civil rights
Lesbians--Services for
Retter, Yolanda,
1947-2007