Collection Guide
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Los Angeles LGBT Center records
Coll2020-008
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Table of contents
Description
The Los Angeles LGBT Center collection, 1971-2019, documents the business and work of the Center, covering a broad range of
activities and functions including general business operations and administration; LGBTQ advocacy and activism efforts; theatrical
and art events; fundraising; and social and health services. Materials include records, correspondence, public relations and
marketing materials, flyers, posters, programs, ephemera, photographs, negatives, VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, and other media.
Background
The Center was founded in 1969, by Don Kilhefner and Morris Kight and other lesbian and gay activists, some of whom were also
part of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF). Originally called the Gay Community Services Center, the
original center opened in October of 1971 in an old Victorian house on Wilshire Boulevard and was the first non-profit in
America to have the word "gay" in its name. Services were provided free of charge, with the exception of housing for which
a nominal per diem fee was charged. In accordance with the founders' concept of "community," the Center was staffed entirely
by gays and lesbians, most of whom were volunteers.
Extent
120 Linear Feet
104 boxes.
Restrictions
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.
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.