Homosexual Information Center Card File Collection, 1954-1995, bulk 1961-1967

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Summary

Creators:
Homosexual Information Center (Hollywood, Calif.)
Abstract:
The Homosexual Information Center (HIC) is a nonprofit organization committed to gathering and disseminating information and data to the public regarding all aspects of homosexuality. It was founded in the late 1960s by the Tangent Group, which in 1965 formally split from ONE, Incorporated, one of the first gay rights organizations in the United States. The collection consists of card files believed to be integral to the organization's information distribution activities. They include what appear to be contact cards, and contributor and subscription lists.
Extent:
3.67 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Background

Scope and content:

The Homosexual Information Center Card File Collection consists of files believed to be integral to the organization's information distribution activities. The HIC provided newsletters, news releases, information packets, and publication lists. Though headquartered in the Los Angeles area, contributions and subscriptions came from around the world. The card files include what appear to be contact cards, and contributor and subscription lists, and referrals. Note that several of the contact cards also contain what appears to be subscription information. The collection is arranged in a single series alphabetically by purpose.

Biographical / historical:

The Homosexual Information Center (HIC), a nonprofit organization committed to gathering and disseminating information and data to the public regarding all aspects of homosexuality, has its roots in ONE Incorporated. Established in 1952, One Incorporated was one of the first gay rights organizations in the United States. Its founding members included Dale Jennings, Harry Hay, Dorr Legg, and Don Slater, all of whom sought to unify homosexuals into social action. The organization conceived of and published ONE Magazine, first distributed in 1953, which was dedicated to homosexuality and homosexual issues. In 1955 the organization established an educational division, called ONE Institute for Homophile Studies, the first educational institution in the United States dedicated to the study of homosexuality. The organization quickly expanded in the years 1953-1956 to include the educational division, a publications division, a social services division, and a library.

In 1965, ONE, Inc. split into two factions, with one faction remaining under the name ONE, Inc., while the other faction, led by board members Don Slater, Antonio Reyes, Billy Glover, and Jim Schneider, was known as The Tangent Group. The split between ONE, Inc. and The Tangent Group was finalized in 1967 after a two-year court case, and the Homosexual Information Center was founded by The Tangent Group in 1968 in Los Angeles, California.

The Homosexual Information Center has sought to inform the public by promoting an interest, knowledge and understanding of the problems of homosexuality, and has advocated for many social and political causes, including equal rights for the LBGTQ community, the decriminalization of homosexuality in countries around the world, health-related issues including the AIDS epidemic, and fostering increased social acceptance of homosexuality.

Acquisition information:
Homosexual Information Center, 0712/2012.
Processing information:

April Feldman, 2015

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
Website