Vice Versa: The Pioneering Lesbian Magazine of the 1940s
Long before the modern era of open LGBTQ+ media, a quiet revolution began in a Los Angeles office. Between 1947 and 1948, a secretary at RKO Studios named Edythe Eyde—writing under the anagrammatic pen name Lisa Ben—created Vice Versa, one of the first known lesbian publications in the United States. What started as a personal project during work hours became a foundational blueprint for queer journalism.
The Origins of Vice Versa
Starting in June 1947, Lisa Ben utilized her position at RKO Studios to produce the magazine. Because her boss valued the appearance of productivity over the actual content of her typing, Ben was able to use office resources to create the publication. Drawing on techniques she learned from science fiction fandom, she typed one original copy and five carbons of each issue twice a month.
Ben envisioned Vice Versa as a safe medium for lesbians to express their thoughts, emotions, and opinions, provided the content remained within the bounds of good taste. The magazine served as a vital forum for connection, featuring a mix of personal essays, short fiction, poetry, and a letters column that allowed readers to communicate with one another.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Editorial Style and Influence
Across nine issues, Vice Versa maintained a highly personal style. The first issue spanned 15 pages, while subsequent editions ranged from 9 to 20 pages. Despite its small scale, the magazine was remarkably daring in its structure, though it remained cautious about identity.
Historian Rodger Streitmatter, author of Unspeakable, notes that the publication contained no bylines, photographs, advertisements, or mastheads, and omitted the editor's name and address. Despite these omissions, Jim Kepner of the International Gay and Lesbian Archives argues that the magazine's specific mix of editorials, reviews, and reader correspondence set the pattern for hundreds of gay and lesbian magazines that followed over the next 50 years.
Distribution and Legal Risks
Because the publication was free, Ben distributed it through informal networks. She initially mailed three copies to friends and handed out the rest, urging readers to pass the magazine along to others rather than discarding it. She estimated that several dozen people read each copy.
However, the legal climate of the 1940s posed a significant threat. Under the Comstock Act—a law that deemed materials addressing homosexuality as "obscene" until 1958—Ben faced the risk of arrest. After a friend warned her about the dangers of mailing such material, she ceased mailing the copies. The publication eventually ended in 1948 when Ben left her job at RKO.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Legacy and Impact on Feminism
Lisa Ben hoped that Vice Versa would be a forerunner to future magazines dedicated to the "third sex" that could one day be sold openly on newsstands. This vision was realized decades later during second-wave feminism. The women in print movement adopted many of the same grassroots methods Ben pioneered, such as using volunteer labor, utilizing office supplies, and relying on informal social networks for distribution.
Key Facts
- Founder: Edythe Eyde (pen name Lisa Ben).
- Timeline: Published between June 1947 and 1948.
- Volume: 9 issues produced, ranging from 9 to 20 pages each.
- Production: Created using RKO Studios office equipment.
- Legal Hurdle: The Comstock Act classified homosexuality-related content as obscene until 1958.
- Distribution: Free of charge via hand-delivery and informal networks.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Editor | Lisa Ben (Edythe Eyde) |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Content Types | Essays, poetry, short fiction, letters, and reviews |
| Total Issues | 9 |
| Primary Goal | Expression of thoughts and emotions for lesbians |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Lisa Ben?
Lisa Ben was the pen name of Edythe Eyde, a secretary at RKO Studios in Los Angeles who created and edited the lesbian magazine Vice Versa.
Why did the magazine have no bylines or addresses?
The lack of identifying information was a safety measure to protect the editor and contributors from potential legal or social repercussions.
What was the Comstock Act?
The Comstock Act was a U.S. law that prohibited the mailing of "obscene" materials; until 1958, any publication addressing homosexuality was automatically categorized as obscene.
How was Vice Versa distributed?
It was distributed for free, primarily by hand or through friends, with readers encouraged to pass copies along to others.
What is the historical significance of Vice Versa?
It is considered a precursor to the women in print movement of second-wave feminism and established the editorial format used by many subsequent LGBTQ+ publications.