ONE Institute: A History of LGBTQ+ Archiving and Advocacy
The journey of the ONE Institute (formerly ONE, Inc.) represents a cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ struggle for visibility, legal recognition, and historical preservation in the United States. From its beginnings as a bold publishing venture to its current role as a guardian of queer history, the organization has spent seven decades ensuring that the voices of the community are not erased.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1953 (celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022).
- Landmark Legal Win: Won the 1957 Supreme Court case One, Inc. v. Olesen, securing the right to mail "controversial" materials.
- Academic Contribution: Established the ONE Institute for Homophile Studies in 1956.
- Collaborations: Worked closely with the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis.
- Current Status: Operates as the One Institute, focusing on exhibits and archival preservation.
The Early Years and the Fight for Free Speech
In the early 1950s, the organization operated as ONE, Inc., producing ONE Magazine. The publication frequently challenged the social norms of the era. In August 1953, port authorities in Los Angeles confiscated a shipment of the magazine because the cover featured the provocative title "Homosexual Marriage?" It took three weeks of protests by members of the Mattachine Society—one of the earliest homophile (gay rights) organizations—before the magazines were released.
The organization was notably inclusive for its time, welcoming women who contributed under pseudonyms. Key figures included Joan Corbin (Eve Elloree), Irma Wolf (Ann Carrl Reid), Stella Rush (Sten Russell), Helen Sandoz (Helen Sanders), and Betty Perdue (Geraldine Jackson). Their contributions were vital to the early success of the venture.
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Legal Triumph: One, Inc. v. Olesen
A pivotal moment occurred in 1957 when ONE, Inc. took its fight to the highest court in the land. In the case of One, Inc. v. Olesen, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled explicitly on homosexuality for the first time. The court ruled in favor of ONE, Inc., allowing them to distribute their magazine via mail. This landmark decision not only protected the organization but also paved the way for other controversial publications to be sent through the U.S. postal system.
Academic Expansion and Community Support
Beyond publishing, ONE, Inc. sought to intellectualize the movement. In 1955, they hosted the ONE Midwinter Institute, the first conference of its kind to bring experts and community members together to discuss gay and lesbian topics. This evolved in 1956 with the creation of the ONE Institute for Homophile Studies, an academic branch that organized classes, held annual conferences, and published the ONE Institute Quarterly.
The organization also served as a support system for others. ONE and the Mattachine Society provided essential help to the Daughters of Bilitis (the lesbian counterpart to Mattachine) in launching their newsletter, The Ladder, in 1956. While these groups collaborated on lecture series and campaigns, the Daughters of Bilitis later faced internal criticism in the 1960s for maintaining these ties rather than aligning with the emerging separatist feminist movement.
Evolution of the Archives
During the 1950s, ONE, Inc. began functioning as an ad hoc community center and established a library. As the gay liberation movement merged with the broader civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s, activists like Jim Kepner worked to collect original documents from this critical era. By the early 1980s, the organization had secured a vast collection of documents chronicling the diverse growth of the gay community.
The organization faced internal turmoil in 1965 due to differences between business manager Dorr Legg and editor Don Slater. A two-year legal battle resulted in a split: Legg's faction kept the name "ONE, Inc.," while Slater's faction kept the majority of the library and archives, eventually forming the Homosexual Information Center (HIC) in 1968. Following Slater's death in 1997, the HIC board returned the archival materials to ONE, Inc.
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Modern Transitions and Legacy
The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw several structural changes. In 1996, ONE, Inc. merged with the Institute for the Study of Human Resources (ISHR), founded by transgender philanthropist Reed Erickson. In 2005, many historic materials from the Blanche M. Baker Memorial Library were donated to the Vern and Bonnie Bullough Collection at California State University, Northridge. In 2010, the remaining archives were transferred to the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives at the University of Southern California for professional preservation.
The organization was renamed the ONE Archives Foundation in 2014 and finally became the One Institute in September 2023, coinciding with the launch of the Circa: Queer Histories Festival.
| Year | Event/Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1953 | Founding of ONE, Inc. and printing of ONE Magazine |
| 1955 | First ONE Midwinter Institute conference |
| 1956 | Establishment of the ONE Institute for Homophile Studies |
| 1957 | Supreme Court victory in One, Inc. v. Olesen |
| 1968 | Formation of the Homosexual Information Center (HIC) |
| 1996 | Merger with the Institute for the Study of Human Resources (ISHR) |
| 2014 | Renamed to ONE Archives Foundation |
| 2023 | Renamed to One Institute |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of One, Inc. v. Olesen?
It was the first time the U.S. Supreme Court explicitly ruled on homosexuality, granting ONE, Inc. the right to distribute its magazine via mail and protecting other controversial publications from similar censorship.
Who were the Daughters of Bilitis?
The Daughters of Bilitis was a lesbian organization that served as a counterpart to the Mattachine Society. They received early support from ONE and Mattachine to launch their newsletter, The Ladder, in 1956.
What happened to the ONE archives?
The archives were split during a 1965 legal dispute but were eventually reunited. In 2005, some materials went to California State University, Northridge, and in 2010, the primary archives were transferred to the University of Southern California for preservation.
How did the organization change its name over time?
Originally ONE, Inc., it became the ONE Archives Foundation in 2014 and was renamed the One Institute in September 2023.
What was the role of the ONE Institute for Homophile Studies?
Established in 1956, it served as the academic arm of the organization, providing classes, hosting annual conferences, and publishing the ONE Institute Quarterly to explore homosexuality from an academic perspective.