One, Inc.

One, Inc. was a prominent American LGBT rights organization that played a significant role in the LGBT rights movement in the United States. Founded in 1952 by Dorr Legg, Don Slater, Tony Reyes, and Merton Bird, the organization was dedicated to promoting the rights and interests of LGBT individuals, particularly gay men and lesbians. One, Inc. was closely associated with other notable LGBT rights organizations, including the Mattachine Society, founded by Harry Hay, and the Daughters of Bilitis, founded by Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon. The organization's activities were also influenced by the work of Alfred Kinsey, a renowned sexologist who conducted groundbreaking research on human sexuality.

● History

One, Inc. was established during a time of great social change in the United States, marked by the Red Scare and the McCarthyism era, which had a significant impact on the LGBT community. The organization's founders were inspired by the work of Henry Gerber, who founded the Society for Human Rights in 1924, and Radclyffe Hall, author of the influential novel The Well of Loneliness. One, Inc. also drew inspiration from the Stonewall riots, a pivotal event in the LGBT rights movement that took place in New York City in 1969. The organization's history is closely tied to that of other notable LGBT rights organizations, including the Gay Activists Alliance, founded by Jim Owles, and the National Gay Task Force, founded by Bruce Voeller and Nancy Tucker.

● Founding and Early Years

The founding of One, Inc. was a significant milestone in the LGBT rights movement, marking the beginning of a new era of activism and advocacy. The organization's early years were shaped by the work of its founders, including Dorr Legg, who served as the organization's first president, and Don Slater, who played a key role in shaping the organization's mission and goals. One, Inc. was also influenced by the work of other notable LGBT rights activists, including Frank Kameny, a gay rights pioneer who worked closely with the Mattachine Society, and Barbara Gittings, a prominent lesbian rights activist who worked with the Daughters of Bilitis. The organization's early activities were focused on promoting LGBT rights and challenging discriminatory laws and policies, including the LGBT purges of the 1950s and 1960s.

● Publications and Activities

One, Inc. was known for its publications, including One Magazine, which was one of the first LGBT-themed magazines in the United States. The magazine featured articles and essays on a range of topics related to LGBT rights and LGBT culture, including gay liberation, lesbian feminism, and queer theory. The organization also published a number of books and pamphlets, including The Homosexual in America, written by Donald Webster Cory, and The Gay Militants, written by Donn Teal. One, Inc.'s activities also included hosting LGBT events and conferences, including the 1966 North American Conference of Homophile Organizations, which brought together LGBT rights activists from across the United States and Canada. The organization's work was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, and the Women's Liberation Movement, led by figures such as Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan.

● Notable Members

One, Inc. had a number of notable members, including Dorr Legg, Don Slater, and Tony Reyes, who were all involved in the organization's founding and early activities. The organization also counted among its members a number of prominent LGBT rights activists, including Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings, and Morris Kight, who played a key role in the LGBT rights movement in Los Angeles. One, Inc. also had connections to other notable LGBT rights organizations, including the Gay Liberation Front, founded by Bob Kohler, and the Lesbian Feminist Liberation, founded by Rita Mae Brown. The organization's members were influenced by the work of Simone de Beauvoir, a prominent feminist philosopher, and Jean-Paul Sartre, a renowned existentialist philosopher.

● Legacy and Impact

One, Inc.'s legacy and impact on the LGBT rights movement are significant, with the organization playing a key role in promoting LGBT rights and challenging discriminatory laws and policies. The organization's publications, including One Magazine, helped to raise awareness about LGBT issues and promote LGBT culture. One, Inc.'s activities, including its hosting of LGBT events and conferences, helped to bring together LGBT rights activists and promote a sense of community and solidarity. The organization's work was recognized by other notable LGBT rights organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, founded by Steve Endean, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, founded by Donna Hitchens. One, Inc.'s legacy continues to be felt today, with the organization's archives housed at the University of Southern California and its publications and activities remaining an important part of LGBT history and LGBT culture. The organization's impact can also be seen in the work of contemporary LGBT rights organizations, including the Trevor Project, founded by James Lecesne, and the It Gets Better Project, founded by Dan Savage.

Category:LGBT rights organizations in the United States