Description
This collection contains correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports,
proposals, contracts, accounting and finance records, flyers, brochures,
calendars, notes, press releases, photographs, resumes, and other materials
relating to the founding and activities of the Gay Community Services Center
(now the L. A. Gay & Lesbian Center) in Los Angeles. The core of the
collection consists of records for the period 1971-1977. These materials were
probably transferred to Jim Kepner's archives sometime in the late 1970s or
early 1980s. An inventory of the collection made at or about the time of its
transfer, indicates that the records were originally filed in four file drawers
and three boxes; although by the time the collection was processed the
materials listed had been randomly dispersed between 19 boxes, it was possible
to identify most of the materials from the original deposit, and the collection
has been arranged to follow as much as possible the original order. The
remainder of the collection, covering the period from the late 1970s to the
early 2000s, consists of materials collected by Kepner and others; these
materials were found stuffed in boxes with no apparent arrangement or order.
Those materials considered important to an understanding of the history and
activities of the Center have been integrated into the collection; the
remaining documents, consisting largely of direct fundraising, promotional, and
what appear to be duplicate materials, have been placed in boxes at the end of
the collection, and will be processed and integrated into the collection as
time permits.
Background
In Spring 1971, a group of activists from the Gay Liberation Front (GLF)
and the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) held a series of meetings at the
home of GLF activist John Platania, to create an organization to provide social
services for members of the gay and lesbian community, many of whom were
marginalized and on the street, in the Hollywood/Silverlake area of the city of
Los Angeles and in the adjoining unincorporated area of West Hollywood, in Los
Angeles County. Platania, who had worked for the Los Angeles Community
Development Agency, drew up a detailed development plan for a nonprofit
corporation to offer services based on the gay hot line and services for street
people instituted by the MCC, and the Liberation House, a crisis housing
facility at 1168 North Edgemont, in Hollywood, opened by the GLF's Survival
Committee. The formal proposal, prepared by GLF activist Don Kilhefner, was
submitted on July 14, 1971, and the articles of incorporation were signed by
Morris Kight, June Herrle, James Kepner, and John Platania on July 22, 1971.
The articles were filed in the office of the California Secretary of State on
January 4, 1972.
Extent
16 record storage boxes + 2
archive boxes + 5 boxes (unprocessed) 16.2 linear feet + 3.3
linear feet (unprocessed)
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).
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access
restrictions.