ONE, Inc. Magazine Covers
ONE Magazine was the first pro-gay publication in America. These magazines were handed out on the streets of Los Angeles beginning in 1952. Magazines like this gave the LGBT community visibility and voice.
Further background on LGBT organizations, including ONE, Inc., can be found here.
Further background on LGBT organizations, including ONE, Inc., can be found here.
Active Analysis:
- Examine the various magazine covers below.
- Clicking the image enlarges the frame.
- Document based questions below help guide reflection.
Document Based Questions
When were these magazines published? What were the societal attitudes towards homosexuality in this time period?
Why would persons write for these magazines? Was there risk involved? What was to be gained?
Think about how these magazines were distributed. Who would read this magazine? Who would not?
What types of stigma could be attached to someone who possessed or read these publications?
What seem to be the attitudes of the authors? What is their stance or position relative to dominant ideas?
Do these magazines adhere to popular norms or question norms? How so?
Look carefully at each magazine cover's title. What does the title mean? What goal or interest does this title have for the LGBT community?
What are some of the topics this magazine has covered? How would a person reading this during the time period feel? How would they feel if they themselves were gay? If they were not gay? If they were supportive of the LGBT community? If they were not?
Are these issues only relevant for their year of publication? Why or why not? Does it surprise you that the question of homosexual marriage is being publicly suggested in 1953? What does this tell us about the Marriage Equality movement? Is it a new idea?
How do your own ideas and opinions about homosexuality influence the way you view these magazines? What could this mean for the original audiences?
Do you think opposing viewpoints also had a voice during this time period? How are ideas negotiated in public space?
Who gets heard and who gets pushed to the margins? Do you think these magazines were effective? Why or why not?
Why would persons write for these magazines? Was there risk involved? What was to be gained?
Think about how these magazines were distributed. Who would read this magazine? Who would not?
What types of stigma could be attached to someone who possessed or read these publications?
What seem to be the attitudes of the authors? What is their stance or position relative to dominant ideas?
Do these magazines adhere to popular norms or question norms? How so?
Look carefully at each magazine cover's title. What does the title mean? What goal or interest does this title have for the LGBT community?
What are some of the topics this magazine has covered? How would a person reading this during the time period feel? How would they feel if they themselves were gay? If they were not gay? If they were supportive of the LGBT community? If they were not?
Are these issues only relevant for their year of publication? Why or why not? Does it surprise you that the question of homosexual marriage is being publicly suggested in 1953? What does this tell us about the Marriage Equality movement? Is it a new idea?
How do your own ideas and opinions about homosexuality influence the way you view these magazines? What could this mean for the original audiences?
Do you think opposing viewpoints also had a voice during this time period? How are ideas negotiated in public space?
Who gets heard and who gets pushed to the margins? Do you think these magazines were effective? Why or why not?
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