Morris Kight Papers, 1975-1993

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Summary

Creators:
Kight, Morris
Abstract:
Morris Kight was an early advocate of integration and began his career as an underground gay liberationistin 1967. He was a spokesperson in the Gay Liberation Front of Los Angeles, helped found the Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade Committee, was a co-founder of the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center and a member of the California State Democratic Central Committee. The collection contains correspondence, videotapes, directories, guides, catalogues, publications, and printed material chronicling Kight's activities related to gay liberation and support of the Los Angeles gay community.
Extent:
380 boxes (185 linear ft.)
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection contains correspondence, videotapes, directories, guides, catalogues, publications, and printed material chronicling Kight's activities related to gay liberation and support of the Los Angeles gay community. Also includes California gay publications, as well as articles and awards documenting his participation in other progressive causes.

Biographical / historical:

Born in Texas, Kight was an early advocate of integration; involved with Southern Christian Leadership Conference; graduated, U.S. Career Service Training School, 1942; arrived in Los Angeles, 1957, beginning career as underground gay liberationist; in 1967 member of Dow Action Committee, opposing defoliants; spokesperson in the Gay Liberation Front of Los Angeles; helped found Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade Committee; co-founder Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center; member of California State Democratic Central Committee; later member of Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission and advocate for seniors; recipient, ACLU Eason Monroe Award, 1982.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Morris Kight, 1993, 1995.
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Articles about and awards for Mr. Kight.
  2. Audio cassettes.
  3. Correspondence, mailings, ephemera, etc.
  4. Gay directories.
  5. Gay festival.
  6. Gay merchandizing catalogues.
  7. Gay themed t-shirts and hats.
  8. Los Angeles County Human Rights Commission papers.
  9. National gay publications.
  10. Northern California gay publications.
  11. Southern California gay publications.
  12. Turner Studios realia.
  13. Video cassettes.
  14. 'Zines.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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