ONE Archives at the USC Libraries Secures $4.2 Million in Contributions to Support Curator and Director Roles

At a gathering in the cactus garden of ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, Edward McKitrick was reflecting on his brave mother who immensely wished for people to acknowledge she was the proud parent of two gay sons.

It was the recollection of the affection and encouragement of his deceased mother, L. Frances McCaulley-McKitrick, that motivated the Los Angeles resident to contribute $1.7 million to establish the curator post at the world’s most extensive archive of LGBTQ+ resources in her honor.

“I just felt compelled to do this,” McKitrick, a retired language and speech educator, said during an interview at the June 14 event. “I’ve been immensely pleased that I could contribute something.”

McKitrick’s donation coincided with an announcement from married duo Paul D. Lerner and Stephen Reis regarding a $2.5 million contribution to fund the director position at ONE Archives currently vacated this week by Joseph Hawkins, who is stepping down after 25 years in the role.

“One of the primary motivations for our support of ONE Archives is the recognition that LGBTQ history and voices within these communities have frequently been silenced or even erased,” Lerner stated while addressing the attendees at the garden gathering.

The event, which attracted over 150 participants, celebrated Hawkins’ innovative leadership, the two generous gifts totaling $4.2 million, and the launch of the exhibitions The Space We Take: Portraits from the Archive and Fairy Prince by Halo Starling, which will be on view until Sept. 13.

Investing in the future of the ‘transformed’ archives

While Lerner was completing a master’s program at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in 1992, he was invited to give a presentation at ONE Archives regarding his research on LGBTQ+ media. He has been an advocate of the collections ever since.

“Numerous individuals have contributed to this archive over the years, but Joseph has done an extraordinary job,” Lerner remarked. “His leadership has truly revolutionized this place.”

USC Associate Senior Vice President of University Advancement Brandon Baker expressed that the couple’s commitment to the significance of archives in social justice, public scholarship, and preserving collective memory is “inspiring and greatly valued.”

Positioning ONE Archives for future expansion

ONE Archives has become a residence where generations of LGBTQ+ individuals can find affirmation of their identities within the archive. It contains millions of items, with over 13,000 periodicals, 21,000 videos, 30,000 books and monographs, 4,000 artworks, and assorted ephemera. Established in 1952, it has been affiliated with USC Libraries since 2010.

Baker stated the contributions are aiding ONE Archives in growing its endowment, broadening exhibitions and programs, and supporting faculty, emerging scholars, and students involved in LGBTQ+ research.

“It’s easy to overlook the spaces we now enjoy to celebrate, recall, and be completely recognized,” he remarked during a toast to Hawkins. “These venues didn’t simply appear. They were thoughtfully constructed, intentionally and often quietly by individuals like Joseph Hawkins.”

Dean of USC Libraries Melissa Just informed those present that the financial backing could not have arrived at a more opportune moment or be more influential.

“Contributions like these create a tremendous impact and hold immense importance in these pivotal times,” Just affirmed. “History encompasses more than just us, individually or collectively. It demands preservation and sharing so that it can be commemorated, comprehended, and handed down to future generations.”

Commemorating a heroic mother

McKitrick’s mother was among the founding members of her local Ohio chapter of PFLAG, the national organization dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and allies.

McKitrick reminisced about how profound it was to hear his mother proclaim at a PFLAG meeting that she was the proud parent of two gay sons, whom she cherished as “gifts.” Thanks to this mindset, he recounted that he and his brother, Chuck, matured feeling cherished and supported.

McKitrick’s narrative is “powerful, grounded in love and remembrance,” Baker shared with attendees. “His generosity assures that this essential archive can continue to expand, evolve, and narrate stories that might otherwise remain unheard.”