ONE Archives Exhibit Highlights Queer L.A. Mags Dating Back to the 1940s

An exhibit from the ONE Archives in Los Angeles showcases the role of Southern California in the creation of LGBT publishing and activism. Check out some of these daring and confrontational publications.

BY Neal Broverman

February 02 2013 2:06 PM ET

(Upper left) ONE magazine, Vol. 1, No. 9 (September 1953)
Early issues of ONE featured woodblock designs by the magazine’s art director Joan Corbin, who used the pseudonym Eve Elloree to protect herself from being publicly identified as a homosexual.

(Upper right) ONE magazine, Vol. 1, No. 8 (August 1953)
The first widely circulated publication for homosexuals in the United States, ONE magazine was a vital progressive voice during the repressive McCarthy era, pioneering what was then called the “homophile movement.” While initially sold hand-to-hand, by the mid-'50s ONE was available at select bookstores and newsstands throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe, as well as through subscription.

(Lower right) ONE Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 4 (April 1955)

(Lower left) ONE Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 6 (June 1960)
This cover of ONE Magazine features of portrait editor and writer Stella Rush, who used the pseudonym Sten Russell.