| Title: | The Sexual Freedom League Collection |
| Collection No.: | X7913437 |
| Dates: | 1966-1978 |
| Quantity: |
Quantity: 4 Boxes (Marked "SFL" )Dimensions: 16"x 12"x 10" |
| Abstract: | The collection consists of four sections containing 65 archival folders covering the years 1966-1978: 1) Organizational information and correspondence includes meeting minutes, financial information, social activities, press releases, media relations, chapter information, calendars, and correspondence to/from the SFL and its religious offshoot, the Psychedelic Venus Church. 2) Newsletters consist of the pre-publication notes and correspondence dealing with the Sexual Freedom League Newsletter. 3) News Clippings contains newspaper and magazine articles on the topics of sex, gender, reproduction, women's rights, homosexual rights, nude beaches, and newsletters and flyers from other sex-related organizations. 4) Art and Objects consists of sex-related items. |
| Language: | Undetermined . |
| Repository: | The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, Indiana University 1165 E. Third Street Bloomington, Indiana 47405 Business Number: 812-855-7686 libknsy@iu.edu URL: https://kinseyinstitute.org/collections/library |
The Sexual Freedom League (SFL) was founded in New York City in 1963, but became more associated with the San Francisco Bay area when one founding member, Jefferson Poland (also known as Jefferson Clitlick, Jefferson Fuck, and J. Fuck Poland) moved there. With the Vietnam War, women's movement, and the counterculture scene, the 1960s proved to be prosperous time for the SFL. Originally formed to promote the political ideals of sexual freedom, the SFL quickly became known as an organization that sponsored orgies and other sex-related parties. As the SFL expanded into a nationwide network of chapters, the original political ideals became less emphasized causing friction within the organization. By the late 1970s, the number of members in the SFL had dwindled.
The collection 65 archival folders divided into four series.
Series I: Organizational Information and Correspondence, which is further divided into two sections, A) Sexual Freedom League and B) Psychedelic Venus Church, and offshoot of SFL.
Series II: Newsletters. This series contains prepublication notes and correspondence (i.e., letters to the editor, editor's notes) of the Sexual Freedom League Newsletter (1969-1974). Items are arranged chronologically by date. Each folder contains approximately 50 items. The publication version of the Sexual Freedom League Newsletter is available in the Vertical File in the Kinsey Institute library stacks.
Series III: News Clippings. This series includes news clippings, newsletters from other sex-related organizations, press releases, and advertisements. It is divided into two sections: A) "Sex" includes information about sex, gender, reproduction, women's rights, and homosexual rights (1971-1977) and B) "Nude Beaches" includes information on nude beaches and the nudist lifestyle (1974-1976). Materials are arranged chronologically and focus on California. Each folder contains approximately 50-100 items.
Series IV: Objects and Artifacts. This series contains two items: 1) One button reading "Gay Power—Christopher Street West—'70" and 2) One personal vibrator circa 1970.
Access restrictions may apply. Contact The Kinsey Institute, libknsy@indiana.edu, for further information
By qualified users only. Contact The Kinsey Institute, libknsy@indiana.edu, for application process.
[item], Collection Name, Library and Special Collections, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington.
donor(s), 19xx.