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Gay Liberation Front (GLF) Los Angeles records

 Collection
Identifier: Coll2012-031

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Scope and Contents

This collection primarily consists of publicity material, photographs, correspondence, clippings, and writings related to the Los Angeles chapter of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), as well as a small amount of material related to GLF chapters in other U.S. cities and London. GLF newsletters can be found in the periodicals collection.

Dates

  • Creation: 1969-1995

Creator

Access

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

Publication Rights

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).

Administrative History

The Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was a loosely structured group of gay rights activists who were interested in the radical sexual liberation for all people. In the summer of 1969, independent GLF chapters were founded in several cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Members in Los Angeles offered draft counseling, and organized "Gay-ins," dances, protests, and other demonstrations. Founded soon after the Stonewall Riots in New York, New York, the GLF's counterculture philosophy and lack of organizational hierarchy contrasted sharply existing homophile gay rights groups like the Mattachine Society. The GLF represents a break with the more conservative homophile movement, which sought to integrate gays and lesbians into society, and a movement toward the radical liberation of all oppressed people. The lack of organizational structure, and the alignment of some members with radical groups like the Black Panther Party contributed to an increasing fragmentation of GLF membership, and local groups eventually dissolved in 1972.

Sources: http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/Gay_Liberation_Front

"Early Liberation: Los Angeles and the First Gay Pride." Get Out LB. (http://getoutlb.com/wp/2011/10/early-liberation-los-angeles-and-the-first-gay-pride/)

Kissack, Terence. "Freaking Fag Revolutionaries: New York's Gay Liberation Front, 1969-1971." Radical History Review, Spring 1995 (62); 105-134.

Extent

1.2 Linear Feet (2 boxes.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Founded in 1969, the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was a loosely structured group of gay rights activists who were interested in the radical sexual liberation for all people. This collection consists of publicity material, photographs, correspondence, clippings, and writings that relate primarily to the Los Angeles group of the Gay Liberation Front.

Arrangement

Files are arranged in alphabetical order into following series:

Series 1: Los Angeles Gay Liberation Front

Series 2: Other Gay Liberation Front groups

Acquisition Information

Donor and date of acquisition unknown.

Processing Information

Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Collection processed by Kate Dundon, 2012.

Title
Finding aid to the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), Los Angeles records
Status
Completed
Author
Kate Dundon
Date
(c) March 2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is inEnglish.

Repository Details

Part of the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, University of Southern California Repository

Contact:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles California 90007 United States
(213) 821-2771