Archives, particularly those dedicated to safeguarding the historical records of marginalized communities, play an invaluable role as they offer glimpses into the past. They serve as vital resources for researchers to challenge narratives that demonize and overlook the history of these communities, and empower the reclamation of stories of resilience, endurance and resistance. The extensive collection at the ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archive (ONE Archives) at the University of Southern California is one such crucial resource for scholars, activists, artists, and anyone interested in LGBTQ+ history and culture. The collection comprises over two million items, including books, periodicals, photographs, film, audio and video recordings, artworks, organizational records, personal papers, and a range of ephemera like clothing, costumes and buttons. At the core of the archive’s mission is activism and equality, aiming to connect history to the contemporary to promote social justice. The archive inspires new scholarship and offers public programs where art, history, community and culture intersect. ONE Gallery, ONE Archives satellite space in West Hollywood, showcases groundbreaking works and exhibitions by contemporary and underrepresented LGBTQ+ artists that draw from the archive’s collections. 

ONE was founded by Jim Kepner, an early gay rights advocate who was involved in spearheading the early organization ONE Inc., which launched ONE Magazine in 1953, the first widely circulated LGBTQ+ publication in the country. Kepner avidly collected materials related to LGBTQ+ culture, sparking a desire to make his personal archives available to the public. Today, ONE Archives has grown to be the largest repository of its kind in the world, and is the oldest continuing LGBTQ+ organization in the United States. The archive and related programming help to preserve and promote the legacy of the LGBTQ+ community, and serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.