Slater, Don, 1923-1997

Administrative history

ONE Inc. was founded in the last months of 1952, employed W. Dorr Legg as business manager in June 1953, and was officially incorporated by October 1953. The articles of incorporation declared that ONE Inc.'s primary goal was "to publish and disseminate a magazine dealing primarily with homosexuality from a scientific, historical and critical point of view, and to aid in the social integration and rehabilitation of the sexual variant." The publication of ONE Magazine, first released in January 1953, was the initial focus of the nascent corporation; however, the "General Purposes" section of the articles of incorporation listed the additional goals of education, research, and promoting integration. By the first available annual report in 1957, these purposes had developed into the major divisions of ONE Inc.: Publications, Education, Research, and Social Service. In 1968 the Commercial Division, also known as ONE Enterprises, was added to improve fundraising capacity, and in 1969 the Library Division. Although this organizational structure had largely disintegrated by the late 1970s, the functions of publishing, education, library services, and to a lesser degree research and social service, were maintained.

Departments that provided administrative services at various times across ONE Inc.'s history include the Bureau of Public Information, the House and Hospitality Committee, Business and Accounting, and Public Relations. Other departments that briefly emerged from other division services include the Book Service and News Service. The ONE World Travel Club, although never designated as a department or division, nonetheless provided a consistent travel service for ONE Inc. for over twenty years. The Institute for the Study of Human Resources (ISHR) was established in 1964 largely to funnel tax-deductible funds to ONE Inc. activities. Satellite offices were established between 1965-1978 as an outreach service of ONE Inc. in Chicago, Detroit, Long Beach, New York, and Phoenix.

Upon W. Dorr Legg's death in July 1994, the function of the organization shifted from an educational to an archives and library orientation. ONE Inc. and the International Gay and Lesbian Archives merged by the end of the year under the title of ONE Institute (since retitled the ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives). Although some services such as lectures, the newsletter, and library services were maintained after the merger, a significant enough break had occurred to collocate the records into two chapters of a long history. The records documented here refer to that first chapter, 1952-1994.

Timeline of events

The following timeline provides a brief survey of the significant events in the history of ONE Inc.

October 1952: The topic of a homosexual magazine was first broached at a Los Angeles Mattachine meeting. This led to a series of increasingly dedicated discussions regarding the practicality, legality, and funding of the endeavor.

November 1952: The name of ONE was proposed by Guy Rousseau (Bailey Whitaker) from a quotation by Thomas Carlyle: "A mystic bond of brotherhood makes all men one." At a follow-up meeting, the name of ONE Inc. was proposed and adopted by a board of three directors acting as officers of the corporation as required by California state law. Historical accounts list the three directors as Martin Block, Chairman; Don Slater, Vice-Chairman; and Dale Jennings, Secretary-Treasurer; although when the articles of incorporation were submitted on February 7, 1953, they were signed by Martin Block, Chairman; Tony Sanchez (Tony Reyes), Vice-Chairman; and Dale Jennings, Secretary-Treasurer. Corporation membership was set at nine people of which the first seven were Martin Block, Tony Reyes, Dale Jennings, Guy Rousseau, Merton Bird, Don Slater, and William Lambert (W. Dorr Legg). The additional two corporate members, Eve Elloree (Joan Corbin) and Ann Carll Reid (Irma "Corky" Wolf), were added in July 1953.

December 1952: The first letters and subscriptions were received.

January 1953: The first issue of ONE Magazine was published. Copies were sold hand-to-hand by staff members.

February 1953: ONE Inc.'s articles of incorporation were filed with the state of California. Local bars Le Bouf, Windup, and Rendezvous agree to keep 50 copies of ONE Magazine on hand for sale to their customers.

May 1953: ONE Inc.'s charter was granted by the state of California.

June 1953: W. Dorr Legg was employed as the business manager, the corporation's first full-time employee.

July 1953: Eve Elloree and Ann Carll Reid were added to the board. W. Dorr Legg became Chairman; Dale Jennings, Vice-Chairman; and Charles Rowland, Acting Corporation Secretary.

August-September 1953: The Los Angeles postal authorities seized the August issue of ONE Magazine . Authorities released the issue three weeks later without explanation.

October 1953: By-laws were completed, approved, and filed with the state of California.

November 1953: ONE Inc. opened an office at 232 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, complete with a library and peer counseling services.

1954: The Los Angeles postal authorities seized the October issue of ONE Magazine on charges of obscenity.

ONE Inc. directors voted to conduct "a series of forums... dealing with scientific, philosophical, legal, and social questions pertaining to homosexuality." The forum became known as the Midwinter Institute.

1955: The first Midwinter Institute convened.

Eric Julber filed suit against Los Angeles Postmaster Otto K. Olesen for the seizure of the October 1954 issue of ONE Magazine .

The play Game of Fools by James Barr was published.

1956: The District Court upheld the obscenity charges of Postmaster Olesen.

The ONE Confidential newsletter was released to ONE Inc. staff and members.

The ONE Institute of Homophile Studies name was adopted and a board of trustees appointed. One week later the first course "An Introduction to Homophile Studies" began instruction.

Homosexuals Today by William Lambert (W. Dorr Legg) was published.

1957: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the obscenity charges of Postmaster Olesen.

"A Study of the Civil Rights Status of Homosexuals under Existing Laws of Several States" was released.

Dr. Evelyn Hooker's "The Adjustment of the Male Overt Homosexual" was released based on subjects supplied by ONE Inc. and the Mattachine Society.

1958: The Supreme Court, without comment, reversed the decisions of the lower courts that ONE Magazine was obscene.

The first ONE Institute Quarterly: Homophile Studies and ONE Book Service were released.

1959: The Kevel was published.

The ONE Inc. offices add a room allowing a great expansion of the library.

1961: The first travel tour was put together but never enacted due to a dispute with Continental Travel.

1962: ONE Inc. moved to 2256 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles.

1964: The first travel tour, a three-week guided excursion through Europe, was successfully completed.

The Institute for the Study of Human Resources was established by Reed Erickson and W. Dorr Legg as a nonprofit affiliate of ONE Inc.

1965: A breakaway group of ONE Inc. staff led by Don Slater secretly removed business records and furniture from ONE Inc., leading to a protracted legal dispute. Between May and August 1965 two separate ONE Magazines were published.

The library was named the Baker Memorial Library after Dr. Blanche M. Baker.

ONE in Detroit and ONE in Chicago were founded.

1966: The first ONE Calendar announcing ONE Inc. events was released.

ONE in New York was founded.

1967: ONE Magazine ceased publication.

The first annotated bibliography was published by W. Dorr Legg and Julian Underwood.

ONE Inc. sponsors English gay rights activist Antony Gray on a lecture tour across the United States.

1968: ONE Letter was released, replacing ONE Confidential .

ONE Inc. took part in the effort to replace Los Angeles city councilman Paul Lamport with Bill Stevenson, the first known election in Los Angeles affected by gay and lesbian political activism.

1969: "A Study of 388 North American Homosexual Males" was released.

AE: The Open Persuader by Auctor Ignotus was published.

ONE in Phoenix was founded.

1970: ONE Institute Quarterly: Homophile Studies ceased publication.

1972: ONE Magazine was re-released, but only lasted through four issues.

Pat Rocco filmed the documentary ONE Adventure about a ONE Inc. travel tour with Troy Perry.

1974: The Butterfly was first released.

1976: An Annotated Bibliography of Homosexuality by Vern Bullough, W. Dorr Legg, Jim Kepner, and Barrett Elcano was published.

1977: ONE in Long Beach was founded.

1981: The California State Department of Education officially accredits ONE Institute of Homophile Studies as an advanced-degree program. The focus of ONE Inc. thereafter became the educational activities of ONE Institute.

1982: The ONE thirty year celebration banquet brought together an unprecedented guest list of gay and lesbian activists.

1983: ONE Inc. moved into the Milbank Mansion. A protracted legal dispute ensued with Reed Erickson contesting ownership of the property.

1994: Homophile Studies in Theory and Practice by W. Dorr Legg was published.

W. Dorr Legg dies.

ONE Inc. merges with the International Gay and Lesbian Archvies.

Timeline of people

The timeline lists the individual names of those who have served as directors or in other capacities with ONE Inc., 1953-1994. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all people who participated in ONE Inc. in any given year.

1953: Directors: Martin Block, Chairman; Tony Reyes, Vice Chairman; Dale Jennings, Secretary Treasurer. Others: Guy Rousseau (Baily Whittaker), Merton Bird, Don Slater, William Lambert ( W. Dorr Legg)), Eve Elloree (Joan Corbin), Ann Carll Reid (Irma “Corky” Wolf), Donald Webster Cory, Chuck Rowland, Jim Gruber, Eric Julber.

1954: Directors: Dorr Legg, Irma Wolf, Dale Jennings. Others: Joan Corbin, Dale Jennings, Jim Kepner, Lois Mitchell (Lois Mercer), Chuck Rowland, Tony Reyes, James Barr, Julian Underwood (Woody), Wayne Dynes, Eric Julber.

1955: Directors: Dorr Legg, Irma Wolf, Don Slater. Others: Chuck Thompson, Joan Corbin.

1956: Directors: Dorr Legg, Irma Wolf, Don Slater. Education Planning Committee: Dorr Legg, Merritt Thompson, Jim Kepner, Julian Underwood. Others: Joan Corbin, Jim Kepner, Tony Reyes, Stella Rush, Fred Frisbie, Chet Samson, Merritt Thompson.

1957: Directors: Don Slater, Jim Kepner, Dorr Legg (Secretary Treasurer). Others: Lois Mitchell, Stella Rush, Fred Frisbie, Chet Samson, Shelton Dewey (pseudonym James Barr).

1958: Dorr Legg, Joan Corbin, Chet Samson, Julian Underwood, Don Slater, Jim Kepner, Fred Frisbie, Stella Rush, Tony Reyes, Don Plagman, Eric Julber, Lou Bonham, Dawn Frederick, Leslie Colfax (Jack Gibson).

1959: Don Plagman, Jim Kepner, Dorr Legg, Leslie Colfax, Sten Russell, Don Slater, Lois Mitchell, Fred Frisbie.

1960: Directors: Jim Kepner, Chairman; Dorr Legg, Vice Chairman; Don Slater, Secretary Treasurer. Others: Lois Mitchell, Sten Russell, Clarence Harrison, Don Plagman.

1961: Directors: George Mortenson, Chairman; Don Slater, Vice Chairman; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer. Others: Lois Mitchell, Don Slater, Alison Hunter, Eve Elloree, Sten Russell, Joe Aaron, Leslie Colfax.

1962: Directors: George Mortenson, Chairman; Don Slater, Vice Chairman; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer. Others: Lois Mitchell, Hal Schmoll, Joe Aaron, George Neal, Marcel Martin.

1963: Directors: George Mortenson, Chairman; Don Slater, Vice Chairman; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer. Others: Lois Mitchell, Morgan Farley, Joe Aaron, Leslie Colfax, George Neal, William Glover.

1964: Directors: Joe Aaron (Joseph Weaver), Chairman; Dorr Legg, Vice Chairman; Monwell Boyfrank, Secretary Treasurer. Others: Lou Bonham, Joe Bush, James Schneider, W.E. Glover, Thelma Varga, George Neil, John Burnside.

1965: Directors: Dorr Legg, Chairman; Lewis Bonham, Vice Chairman; Monwell Boyfrank, Secretary Treasurer. Others: Keith Dyer, Chuck Thompson, Gregory Carr, Robert Earl, William E. Glover, Jerry Hill, Bill Baker.

1966: Directors: Dorr Legg, President; Lewis Bonham, Vice President; Monwell Boyfrank, Secretary Treasurer; Robert Earl, Chuck Thompson. Others: Lois Mitchell, Gregory Carr, Robert Earl, Harold Green, Julian Underwood, Ron Dean.

1967: Directors: Dorr Legg, President; Lewis Bonham, Vice President; Monwell Boyfrank, Secretary Treasurer; Robert Earl, Chuck Thompson. Others: Julian Underwood, William Sutherland, Leslie Collins, Gregory Carr.

1968: Directors: Lewis Bonham, President; Chuck Thompson, Vice President; Robert Earl, Secretary Treasurer; Monwell Boyfrank, Dorr Legg. Others: William Sutherland, Leslie Collins.

1969: Directors: Robert Earl, President; Les Collins, Vice President; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer; Joe Aaron; Bob Marks. Others: Lewis Bonham, Monwell Boyfrank Franz de Bretton, Reed Erickson, Harold Green, Ken Normand, Fred Selden, William Sutherland, Greg Carr, Chuck Thompson.

1970: Directors: Robert Earl, President; Les Collins, Vice President; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer; Joe Aaron; Bob Marks. Others: David Buchman, Franz de Bretton, Reed Erickson, Harold Green, Ralph Lucas, Ken Normand, Fred Selden, Rodney Hatfield, George Mortenson, Aileen Erickson.

1971: Directors: Robert Earl, President; Bob Marks, Vice President; Eli H. Pomoh, Secretary Treasurer; Joe Gilgamesh; Dorr Legg. Others: John Bresee, David Buchman, Franz de Bretton, Reed Erickson, Fred Freedman, Harold Green, Fred Selden, Lewis Bonham, Gregg Carr, Fred Freedman.

1972: Directors: Jim Kepner, President; Bob Marks, Vice President; John Bresee, Secretary Treasurer; Joe Gilgamesh; Dorr Legg. Others: David Buchman, Franz de Bretton, Robert Earl, Reed Erickson, Fred Freedman, Harold Green, Ron Longworth, Jim Muszalski, Eli H. Pomoh, Fred Selden, Roger Derr, Parker Hazen.

1973: Directors: Jim Kepner, President; Bob Marks, Vice President; John Bresee, Secretary Treasurer; Joe Gilgamesh; Dorr Legg. Others: Les Akers, Howard Beck, Marty Butel, David Buchman, Reed Erickson, Fred Freedman, Harold Green, Foster Gunnison, Ron Longworth, Jim Muszalski, Eli H. Pomoh, Fred Selden, Frank Zerilli.

1974: Directors: Bob Marks, President; Joe Gilgamesh, Vice President; John Bresee, Secretary Treasurer; Jim Kepner; Dorr Legg. Others: Les Akers, Howard Beck, David Buchman, Reed Erickson, Fred Freedman, Harold Green, Foster Gunnison, Ron Longworth, Jim Muszalski, Eli H. Pomoh, Fred Selden, Frank Zerilli, George Mortenson.

1975: Directors: Bob Marks, President; Joe Gilgamesh, Vice President; John Bresee, Secretary Treasurer; Jim Kepner; Dorr Legg. Others: Les Akers, Howard Beck, David Buchman, Reed Erickson, Fred Freedman, Harold Green, Foster Gunnison, Ron Longworth, Jim Muszalski, Eli H. Pomoh, Fred Selden, Frank Zerilli, George Mortenson, Ron Aviano.

1976: Directors: Bob Marks, President; Jim Kepner, Vice President; John Bresee, Secretary Treasurer; Joe Gilgamesh; Dorr Legg. Others: Les Akers, Howard Beck, David Buchman, Reed Erickson, Fred Freedman, Harold Green, Foster Gunnison, Jim Muszalski, Eli H. Pomoh, Fred Selden, Glenn Schmoll, Joe Magnin, Robert Earl, Jess Lyons, Gene Touchet, George Mortenson.

1977: Directors: Joe Gilgamesh, President; Jim Kepner, Vice President; John Bresee, Secretary Treasurer; Bob Marks; Dorr Legg. Others: Fred Freedman, Ed Grellert, Gene Touchet, Jess Lyons, Robert Earl, Milt Sanford, Joseph Magnin, Ted Bradbury, Ron Aviano.

1978: Directors: Joe Gilgamesh, President; Bob Marks, Vice President; Ed Gilbert, Secretary Treasurer; Dorr Legg; Ted Bradbury. Others: Jim Kepner, Milt Sanford, Ed Grellert, Gene Touchet, Fred Freedman, Joseph Magnin, Robert Orndorff.

1979: Directors: Dorr Legg, Bob Marks, Ed Gilbert, Joe Gilgamesh, Ted Bradbury. Others: John Bresee, Jim Kepner, Gene Touchet, Milt Sanford, David Moore, Les Akers, Herb Selwyn, Lois Mercer.

1980: Directors: Dorr Legg, Bob Marks, Ed Gilbert, Joe Gilgamesh, Bruce Weil. Others: Les Akers, Fred Freedman, Jim Kepner, Joe Killian, David Moore, John Bresee, Reed Erickson, Foster Gunnison, Milton Sanford.

1981: Directors: Jesse Jacobs, Dorr Legg, David Moore, Gene Touchet, Bruce Weil. Academic/Administrative Council: Dwain Houser, Laud Humphreys, Dorr Legg, Gene Touchet, Jesse Jacobs, Albert Gordon, David Moore. Others: Les Akers, John Bresee, Fred Freedman, Ed Gilbert, Geraldine Jackson, Jim Kepner, Bob Marks.

1982: Directors: Jesse Jacobs, President; Gene Touchet, Vice President; David Moore, Secretary Treasurer; Dorr Legg; Bruce Weil. Administrative/Academic Council: Dwain Houser, Laud Humphreys, Dorr Legg, Gene Touchet, Jesse Jacobs, Albert Gordon, David Moore. Board of Governors: Christopher Isherwood, Laud Humphreys, Dorr Legg, Gene Touchet, Jesse Jacobs, David Moore. Others: Les Akers, John Bresee, Fred Freedman, Ed Gilbert, Geraldine Jackson, Joseph Killian, Jim Kepner, Bob Marks, Milton Sanford, Reed Erickson, Foster Gunnison, Jim Muszalski.

1983: Directors: Jesse Jacobs, President; Gene Touchet, Vice President; David Moore, Secretary Treasurer; Dorr Legg; Bruce Weil. Board of Governors: Reed Erickson, Christopher Isherwood, Paul Walker, Dorr Legg, Gene Touchet, Jesse Jacobs, David Moore. Others: Les Akers, Ted DeLay, Fred Freedman, Joseph Killian, Bob Marks, Stephen Weisbaum, Geraldine Jackson, Jim Kepner, Painter, Foster Gunnison, Jim Muszalski, John Nojima, Milton Sanford.

1984: Directors: Bob Mitchell, President; Les Akers, Vice President; David Moore, Secretary Treasurer; Dorr Legg; Gene Touchet. Others: Milt Sanford, Joe Killian, Fred Freedman, Bruce Weil, Stephen Weisbaum, Jim Kepner, David Cameron, Jim Dunham, Fadner, Lyons.

1985: Directors: Bob Mitchell, President; Les Akers, Vice President; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer; Gene Touchet, Jim Dunham. Administrative/Academic Council: Richard Follett, David Cameron, William Hungerford, Dorr Legg, Gene Touchet. Others: Joe Killian, Stephen Weisbaum, Jim Kepner, Jim Dunham, Bob Craig, Jim Morrow, Timothy Wohlgemuth, John Nojima, Coates.

1986: Directors: David Cameron, President; Les Akers, Vice President; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer; Bob Mitchell; Jim Morrow. Board of Governors: David Cameron, Gene Touchet, Dorr Legg, Jim Morrow, Thomas Hunter Russell, Les Akers. Others: Bruce Weil, Stephen Weisbaum, Jim Kepner, Fred Freedman, Timothy Wohlgemuth, Gene Touchet, Bob Craig, Cal Cottam, Reid Rasmussen.

1987: Directors: David Cameron, President; Les Akers, Vice President; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer; Bob Mitchell; Jim Morrow. Board of Governors: David Cameron, Gene Touchet, Dorr Legg, Jim Morrow, Jesse Jacobs, Thomas Hunter Russell, Bob Mitchell. Others: Jim Muszalski, Fred Freedman, John Nojima, Tim Wohlgemuth, Fred Boydell, Bob Craig, Russell Cameron.

1988: Directors: David Cameron, President; Jesse Jacobs, Vice President; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer; Jim Morrow; Les Akers. Board of Governors: David Cameron, Dorr Legg, Jesse Jacobs, Thomas Hunter Russell, Burner. Others: Bob Mitchell, Fred Freedman, Jim Muszalski, Tim Wohlgemuth, Sue Moore, Ed Thorsell, Bill Tom, Paul Hardman.

1989: Directors: Jesse Jacobs, President; Jim Morrow, Vice President; Dorr Legg, Secretary Treasurer; Les Akers, David Cameron. Academic/Administrative Council: Jesse Jacobs, Dorr Legg, David Cameron. Others: Bob Mitchell, Fred Freedman, Jim Muszalski, Tim Wohlgemuth, Sue Moore, Ed Thorsell, Bill Tom, Paul Hardman.

1990: Directors: Jesse Jacobs, Dorr Legg, Ed Thorsell, David Cameron, Jim Morrow. Academic/Administrative Council: Jesse Jacobs, Dorr Legg, David Cameron, Walter Williams. Others: Luis Balmaseda, Bob Mitchell, Fred Freedman, Jim Muszalski, Tim Wohlgemuth, Bill Tom, Paul Hardman, Sue Moore, Les Akers.

1991: Directors: Jesse Jacobs, Dorr Legg, Ed Thorsell, David Cameron, Jim Morrow. Others: Luis Balmaseda, Bob Mitchell, Jim Muszalski, Bill Tom, Paul Hardman.

1992: Directors: Luis Balmaseda, Dorr Legg, Ed Thorsell, David Cameron, Jim Morrow. Academic/Administrative Council: Jim Morrow, Dorr Legg, David Cameron, Walter Williams. Board of Governors: David Cameron, Dorr Legg, Jim Morrow. Others: Call, Luis Balmaseda, Ed Thorsell, Cal Cottam, Fred Freedman, Glen Harper, Reid Rasmussen, Don Paul, Bill Tom, Paul Hardman.

1993: Directors: Jesse Jacobs, Reid Rasmussen, Dorr Legg, David Cameron, Jim Morrow. Others: Call, Luis Balmaseda, Ed Thorsell, Cal Cottam, Fred Freedman, Reid Rasmussen, Don Paul, Bill Tom, Paul Hardman, Bob Manners, J.J. Belanger, David Hensley.

1994: Directors: Jesse Jacobs, Reid Rasmussen, Dorr Legg, David Cameron, Jim Morrow.

From the guide to the ONE Incorporated records, Bulk, 1952-1994, 1907-2001, (ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives)