The Ladder

Luces Revista/Magazine was a Spanish-written safe space for queer Hispanic women throughout the 1990’s that stressed the importance of identity, expression through art, and the distribution of resources during the S.I.D.A. (A.I.D.S.) epidemic. “Luces” translates to “lights", highlighting the intention for the magazine to serve as a beacon of hope and positivity; a light to those surrounded by the darkness of oppression. Luces magazine emphasized and prioritized creation, independence, and motivation.

Luces Revista/Magazine was a Spanish-written safe space for queer Hispanic women throughout the 1990’s that stressed the importance of identity, expression through art, and the distribution of resources during the S.I.D.A. (A.I.D.S.) epidemic. “Luces” translates to “lights", highlighting the intention for the magazine to serve as a beacon of hope and positivity; a light to those surrounded by the darkness of oppression. Luces magazine emphasized and prioritized creation, independence, and motivation.

The Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS) was created in 1934. In his Memoirs of a Superfluous Fan, T. Bruce Yerke writes that the LASFS used to be the LASFL, or Los Angeles Chapter Number 4, of the Science Fiction League. This club for fans of all things science-fiction and fantasy gathered a number of people of interest that eventually became hallmark figures in the science-fiction and LGBT publishing subcultures.

Clothespin Fever Press was a small lesbian press based out of Los Angeles. It was co-founded by Jenny Wrenn and Carolyn Weathers in 1985 and was active until 1996.

Clothespin Fever Press was a small lesbian press based out of Los Angeles. It was co-founded by Jenny Wrenn and Carolyn Weathers in 1985 and was active until 1996.

Circus of Books was a West Hollywood adult bookstore specializing in gay pornographic magazines and VHS tapes. Owned and operated by a heterosexual Jewish couple, it became an unlikely yet extremely popular cruising destination for gay men across Los Angeles, and is the subject of the documentary Circus of Books, directed by the owners' daughter.

Bienestar was a Spanish-written newsletter educating readers on the state of HIV/AIDS in Latinx communities-- emphasizing that heterosexuals were also impacted. In addition to providing comprehensible medical information, Bienestar included hope testimonials from infected community members alongside daily support activities/services for anyone interested. Listed is the newsletter's original address from 1995, although it changed throughout the newsletter's course.

Robert Henry Mizer (Bob) Mizer was born on March 27, 1922, in Hailey, Idaho. Known for his stellar skills in photography, he produced Physique Pictorial. In 1945, Mizer experienced a pivotal achievement in his career: the creation of the Athletic Model Guild, his studio space where the magic of his photography came to life.  His photographic works altered the course of the gay rights movement by encouraging individuals to participate in gay pride and to strive for profound change. 

Robert Henry Mizer (Bob) Mizer was born on March 27, 1922, in Hailey, Idaho. Known for his stellar skills in photography, he produced Physique Pictorial. In 1945, Mizer experienced a pivotal achievement in his career: the creation of the Athletic Model Guild, his studio space where the magic of his photography came to life.  His photographic works altered the course of the gay rights movement by encouraging individuals to participate in gay pride and to strive for profound change. 

BLK Publications is located at 5903 S Corning Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90056. BLK Magazine was a magazine designed to educate and inform the Black LGBTQ community in Los Angeles that hadn’t yet been informed about issues that related to their community, particularly during the height of the AIDS crisis. Created by Alan Bell in 1988, BLK Magazine aimed to not only be the best black gay news publication, but the best magazine altogether. Designed in the vein of Newsweek and TIME, BLK Magazine aimed to be a source of mainstream news for everyone to enjoy as well as provide a safe methods for the Black LGBTQ community to communicate. At the time, the community had only limited ways of interacting or learning from one another, so the purpose of BLK transcended just news to be an avenue for the community to flourish.

BLK Publications is located at 5903 S Corning Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90056. BLK Magazine was a magazine designed to educate and inform the Black LGBTQ community in Los Angeles that hadn’t yet been informed about issues that related to their community, particularly during the height of the AIDS crisis. Created by Alan Bell in 1988, BLK Magazine aimed to not only be the best black gay news publication, but the best magazine altogether. Designed in the vein of Newsweek and TIME, BLK Magazine aimed to be a source of mainstream news for everyone to enjoy as well as provide a safe methods for the Black LGBTQ community to communicate. At the time, the community had only limited ways of interacting or learning from one another, so the purpose of BLK transcended just news to be an avenue for the community to flourish.

Homeboy Beautiful was a short-lived and influential queer Chicano publication of the late 1980’s authored by Joey Terrill. With two existing editions and only 100 copies produced, Homeboy Beautiful fostered a sense of community within the queer Chicano scene by presenting relevant cultural content, such as featuring the problems in los barrios (neighborhoods) and highlighting the homo-homeboy lifestyle that was specific to how local Chicanos approached homosexuality. Included in both editions are “Ask Lil Loca”, a segment serving as a "letters-to-editor" feature, fashion tips relevant to cholo/a culture, art entries, and “exposés” such as a homo-homeboy party or a gang-planned kidnapping. This magazine served as safe space for Chicanos in the predominantly white gay scene. Address listed was author Joey Terrill's P.O. Box for mail art submissions.

Homeboy Beautiful was a short-lived and influential queer Chicano publication of the late 1980’s authored by Joey Terrill. With two existing editions and only 100 copies produced, Homeboy Beautiful fostered a sense of community within the queer Chicano scene by presenting relevant cultural content, such as featuring the problems in los barrios (neighborhoods) and highlighting the homo-homeboy lifestyle that was specific to how local Chicanos approached homosexuality. Included in both editions are “Ask Lil Loca”, a segment serving as a "letters-to-editor" feature, fashion tips relevant to cholo/a culture, art entries, and “exposés” such as a homo-homeboy party or a gang-planned kidnapping. This magazine served as safe space for Chicanos in the predominantly white gay scene. Address listed was author Joey Terrill's P.O. Box for mail art submissions.

ONE, Incorporated, moved their offices to 2256 Venice Boulevard in 1962. ONE Magazine was published out of these offices for the remainder of its run, until 1967.

ONE, Incorporated, moved their offices to 2256 Venice Boulevard in 1962. ONE Magazine was published out of these offices for the remainder of its run, until 1967.

ONE Magazine was a nationally-distributed publication put out by ONE, Incorported, a homophile organization based in Los Angeles. The magazine was published from 1952 to 1967, surviving threats from the police and federal government to provide news, essays, fiction, and more to gay and lesbians across the United States.

The If Club was a lesbian nightclub established in the 1940s. It was popular among working-class lesbians and had a reputation as a space for butch lesbians. The If Club was a primary distribution spot for the lesbian magazine, Vice Versa, written and published by Lisa Ben.

The If Club was a lesbian nightclub established in the 1940s. It was popular among working-class lesbians and had a reputation as a space for butch lesbians. The If Club was a primary distribution spot for the lesbian magazine, Vice Versa, written and published by Lisa Ben.

Fais Do Do was an East. L.A. music venue that hosted the final night of Scutterfest 2002, a music festival formed out of the punk rock queer zine Scutter. Scutter was self-published by Chicano queer and Los Angeles native Rudy Bleu, who formed the magazine to create a relatable space for other queer people of the punk rock scene. 

Vice Versa was the first lesbian magazine published in the United States. It ran for nine issues, released monthly from June 1947 to February 1948. Edythe Eyde—known by her pen name, “Lisa Ben,” an anagram of “lesbian”—published the magazine. She typed it by hand at her job at RKO Studios and wrote most of the content herself, which included book reviews, short stories, poetry, and more.

Vice Versa was the first lesbian magazine published in the United States. It ran for nine issues, released monthly from June 1947 to February 1948. Edythe Eyde—known by her pen name, “Lisa Ben,” an anagram of “lesbian”—published the magazine. She typed it by hand at her job at RKO Studios and wrote most of the content herself, which included book reviews, short stories, poetry, and more.

Vice Versa was the first lesbian magazine published in the United States. It ran for nine issues, released monthly from June 1947 to February 1948. Edythe Eyde—known by her pen name, “Lisa Ben,” an anagram of “lesbian”—published the magazine. She typed it by hand at her job at RKO Studios and wrote most of the content herself, which included book reviews, short stories, poetry, and more.

Vice Versa was the first lesbian magazine published in the United States. It ran for nine issues, released monthly from June 1947 to February 1948. Edythe Eyde—known by her pen name, “Lisa Ben,” an anagram of “lesbian”—published the magazine. She typed it by hand at her job at RKO Studios and wrote most of the content herself, which included book reviews, short stories, poetry, and more.

Vice Versa was the first lesbian magazine published in the United States. It ran for nine issues, released monthly from June 1947 to February 1948. Edythe Eyde—known by her pen name, “Lisa Ben,” an anagram of “lesbian”—published the magazine. She typed it by hand at her job at RKO Studios and wrote most of the content herself, which included book reviews, short stories, poetry, and more.

The Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS) was created in 1934 (link – LASFS website). In his Memoirs of a Superfluous Fan, T. Bruce Yerke writes that the LASFS used to be the LASFL, or Los Angeles Chapter Number 4, of the Science Fiction League. 

Joani Presents was a lesbian club at 6413 Lankershim Boulevard, in North Hollywood, California. The owner, Joani Hannon, was a muscian and performer often known for her role in the 1959 Marilyn Monroe film Some Like It Hot.