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.

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.

16 record storage boxes + 2 archive boxes + 5 boxes (unprocessed) 16.2 linear feet + 3.3 linear feet (unprocessed)

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).

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.