Collection Guide
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International Gay and Lesbian Archives records
Coll2012-002
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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: International Gay and Lesbian Archives records
creator:
International Gay and Lesbian Archives
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012-002
Physical Description:
28.5 Linear Feet
[14 archive boxes + 9 archive cartons + 6 archive shoeboxes + 3 archive binders + 1 mapcase drawer.]
Date (inclusive): 1958-2002
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Minutes, reports, corporation papers, correspondence, legal papers, financial records, collections management records, publicity
material, exhibition material, photographs, ephemera, audiocassettes, floppy disks and exhibition displays from the International
Gay and Lesbian Archives (IGLA), an archive dedicated to collecting materials related to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
(GLBT) community. The archives began as a result of Jim Kepner's efforts collecting GLBT materials beginning in the 1940s.
In the 1970s, Kepner began allowing researchers into his apartment to conduct research on GLBT history. By 1975, he named
his collection the Western Gay Archives (WGA); and in 1979, it was incorporated as the National Gay Archives: Natalie Barney/Edward
Carpenter Library (NGA) and moved to offices in Hollywood, California.
The collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1. Incorporation and board of directors
Series 2. Administration
Series 3. Collections management and projects
Series 4. General correspondence
Series 5. Financial records
Series 6. Promotional materials and events
Series 7. Photographs
Series 8. Audiotapes and floppy disks
Series 9. Posters and exhibition panels and displays
Series 10. Awards and realia
In 1942 in San Francisco, Jim Kepner started collecting books on the gay and lesbian experience. It soon turned into a small
private collection, which he then took with him to Los Angeles, then to New York, then to San Francisco again, before eventually
settling in Los Angeles in 1951.
By the 1970s, after amassing a larger library of gay- and lesbian-related books and materials in his Torrance, California,
apartment, Kepner began allowing researchers access to his collection. In 1975, he named it the Western Gay Archives (WGA).
In 1979, a board of directors was created, the collection was incorporated in the State of California as the National Gay
Archives: Natalie Barney/Edward Carpenter Library (NGA), and the materials were moved to an office at 1654 North Hudson Avenue
in Hollywood, California. The archives changed its name to the International Gay & Lesbian Archives: Natalie Barney/Edward
Carpenter Library (IGLA) in 1984. In 1988, the collection was moved to another office space on Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Kepner served as curator of IGLA. The operations were maintained by its board of directors,
minimal staff and group of volunteers. In the Fall of 1994, the board of directors of IGLA and ONE Institute voted to merge
the GLBT archival collections and libraries from both organizations. The boards of directors merged as well, and the resulting
organization was named the ONE Institute/International Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Source: "Jim Kepner board materials and notes," Box 1, Folder 29, International Gay and Lesbian Archives Records, Coll2012-002,
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Researchers wishing to publish material must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner of the material. Note that permission to publish does not constitute copyright clearance. ONE National Gay
& Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold copyright. It is the responsibility
of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials from the copyright holder(s).
Materials in this collection were primarily created and collected by Jim Kepner, founder of the International Gay and Lesbian
Archives (IGLA). Other portions of the collection were created by various members of IGLA's Board of Directors and staff,
including--but not limited to--Gary Hundertmark, Walter Williams, Gary Steele, Olaf Odegaard, Pat Allen, David Moore, Donna
Smith and others. In 1994, IGLA merged with ONE Institute to form the organization renamed ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives.
Additional personal materials from Kepner's estate were transferred to ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives following his death
in 1997.
Box #, folder #, International Gay and Lesbian Archives Records, Coll2012-002, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles,
California
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Formerly boxes 103-009, 103-048, 103-057, 103-070, 103-155, 103-299, 103-329, 103-A142, 103-A143, 104-017, 104-018, 104-019,
104-021, A242, A243, A244, A245, A265. Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, March 2012.
Jim Kepner Papers, Coll2011-002, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California
This collection comprises minutes, reports, corporation papers, correspondence, legal papers, financial records, collections
management records, publicity material, exhibition material, photographs, ephemera, audiocassettes, computer disks and exhibition
displays from the International Gay and Lesbian Archives (IGLA), 1979-1994, an archive dedicated to collecting materials related
to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. It should be noted that the primary scope of this collection
includes IGLA materials up until it merged with ONE Institute in the Fall of 1994. Some materials in this collection, however,
extend beyond the 1994 merger.
The Incorporation and Board of Directors Series includes articles of incorporation, minutes, correspondence and other files
pertaining to the activities of IGLA's board of directors.
The Administration Series includes materials relating to the on-going and day-to-day activities of IGLA's staff and volunteers,
including--but not limited to--fundraising, membership, donor relations, newsletter publication, office maintenance, personnel
and volunteer administration.
The Collections Management and Projects Series includes material documenting IGLA's archival collections, as well as the historical
and educational manuscripts and projects that are produced from those collections.
The General Correspondence Series comprises correspondence between IGLA and its members, donors, researchers and others.
The Financial Records Series comprises budget and financial statements, as well as tax return documents.
The Promotional Material and Events Series comprises flyers, mailers, press releases and other material related to IGLA's
special events and public programs. This series also includes extensive artists files related to IGLA's 1986 event, "Naked
Eyes: A Celebration of Gay Men's Visual Art."
The Photographs Series comprises photographs, negatives and slides documenting IGLA and its activities.
The Audiotapes and Floppy Disks Series comprises audiocassettes with an interview with Jim Kepner and a lecture with board
member, Ernie Potvin; and floppy disks, mostly with computer files of IGLA's catalog and database.
The Poster and Exhibition Panels and Displays Series includes promotional posters and signage for IGLA; as well as exhibition
displays on gay and lesbian history.
The Awards and Realia Series comprises commendation certificates, an award plaque and buttons.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Homosexuality -- History
Archives
Gay liberation movement -- United States -- History
Lesbians -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Gays -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Correspondence
Gay artists
Photographs
Gay libraries
Gay activists -- United States -- History
Gay and lesbian studies
International Gay and Lesbian Archives
National Gay Archives
Kepner, Jim (James Lynn Kepner, Jr.)
Western Gay Archives