One Institute

Founded in 1952, One Institute is the oldest active LGBTQ+ organization in the United States.

Founded in 1952, One Institute, formerly ONE Archives Foundation, is the oldest active LGBTQ+ organization in the United States, dedicated to telling LGBTQ+ history and stories through education, arts, and social justice programs. Our one-of-a-kind exhibitions and public programs connect LGBTQ+ history and contemporary culture to effect social change. Through unique K-12 teacher trainings, lesson

plans, and youth mentorship programs, we empower the next generation of teachers and students to bring q***r history into classrooms and communities. As the independent community partner of ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, we also help promote the largest collection of LGBTQ+ materials in the world. The curatorial and educational choices made by One Institute are guided by our commitment to social equity and justice. We engage with the complexity of LGBTQ+ history and representation through highlighting the intersectional narratives of Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), women, gender- nonconforming and transgender people, people of various abilities, youth, and elders across all socio-economic classes. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Threads .

06/26/2026

Thirty-one years ago today, an estimated one million people gathered in New York City for Stonewall 25.

Officially titled the “International March on the United Nations to Affirm the Human Rights of Le***an and Gay People,” this demonstration marked the 25th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising. Activists marched past the UN Headquarters to demand that global leadership recognize and protect LGBTQ+ rights as fundamental human rights.

The scale of Stonewall 25 was unlike any other demonstration, and to visualize the global presence of the movement, activist Gilbert Baker created a mile-long rainbow flag that was unfurled down First Avenue. Additionally, the march ended in a rally in Central Park featuring international politicians, AIDS activists, and performers that included Liza Minnelli.

Grassroots local advocates simultaneously organized the “Spirit of Stonewall” march back to the Stonewall Inn to ensure the local roots of the uprising were not forgotten.

This poster was used to publicize the march and provided various resources for individuals to get involved with the movement in various ways.

Today, One Institute continues our community’s legacy of honoring our history and advocating for our rights and protections through the Rainbow Education Coalition Los Angeles and the LA LGBTQ+ Arts and Culture Coalition.

Image: Stonewall 25, “Stonewall 25: International March on the United Nations to Affirm the Human Rights of Le***an and Gay People,” June 1994. LGBTQ Poster collection, ONE Archives at the USC Libraries. ONE Archives

06/25/2026

Show your support for One Institute's 2026 Circa: Q***r Histories Festival, the first and only q***r histories festival in the United States coming this October, while looking stylish too 🕶🌈

During this summer's Pride season, One Institute partnered with L.A. Eyeworks a house of optical imagination known worldwide for their bold shapes. The “CATENA” sunglass is a limited-edition Pride design, available while supplies last!

Proceeds from the sale of CATENA benefit Circa, happening October 1-31, 2026. 🌟 Tap the link in the bio to learn more and shop for a cause.

Image: Makeup artist Valerie Vonprisk photographed by Josef Jasso for l.a.Eyeworks.

06/24/2026

Come join us for a guided tour of STORIES: The AIDS Monument in West Hollywood Park this July and August!

These 45-minute tours will highlight the strategy of those during the AIDS epidemic to gather, care for one another, educate the public, and engage in activism.

We invite you to four upcoming tours, all free and open to the public. Space is limited. Register at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/oneinstitute

06/19/2026

Reverend Carl Bean (1941-2021) was a pioneering AIDS activist and openly gay minister. Primarily active in Los Angeles, his impact extended across the United States.

Rev. Bean grew up singing Gospel, and in 1977, he recorded the hit song, “I Was Born This Way,” a gay disco anthem that went on to inspire Lady Gaga. After becoming a minister, he founded the Unity Fellowship Church Movement in 1975, a Christian denomination centered on LGBTQ+ acceptance in Black communities, based in Los Angeles.

In 1985, Rev. Bean founded the nonprofit Minority AIDS Project, focusing on services for people of color affected by HIV/AIDS. Bean continued to use his musical passion to reach his community, organizing events like an AIDS benefit Gospel concert with Dionne Warwick in 1988.

This poster of Rev. Carl Bean was carried by members of ACT UP Los Angeles during Long Beach and Los Angeles pride parades in 1989.

Join us at our fourth-annual Pride Month Educators’ Social next week at STORIES: The AIDS Monument to learn more about One Institute’s resources and programs for teaching LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS histories. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, or education advocate, come connect and celebrate our collective impact!

📅 Thu 6/25/2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
📍 STORIES: The AIDS Monument

More details and registration can be found here: https://www.oneinstitute.org/june-25-2025-pride-month-educators-social-2026/. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Image: ACT UP Los Angeles, “Rev. Carl Bean,” 1989. ACT UP Los Angeles Picket Sign collection, ONE Archives at the USC Libraries.

06/16/2026

Mark your calendar! 🌟🌟🌟 "Wild Wonderful Sporadic Kin," curated by Jamison Edgar opens July 9. The exhibition examines a tapestry of trans liberation taking root across Southern California by and for communities of color. 🏳️‍⚧️

Featuring six trans and gender non-conforming artists:

Salvador de la Torre
Badly Licked Bear
Xelestial Moreno-Luz
Umi Hsu
Toria Maldonado
Liam Woods

In addition, an oral history archive by artist and scholar Álvaro D. Márquez documents the emerging philosophies of the exhibiting artists as they navigate asymmetrical systems of power.

We hope to see you at the exhibition's opening reception, featuring remarks from the curator and participating artists, on Thursday, July 9 at 7:00 p.m. Free with RSVP at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/oneinstitute/2247118

"Wild Wonderful Sporadic Kin" will be on view July 9–August 30, Thursday through Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is free.

This exhibition is made possible with support from the California Community Foundation.

Graphic by Linnea Torres.

06/12/2026

In 1991, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education formed the Gay & Le***an Education Commission as a response to an attempt by 47 members of the California Assembly to block school districts from implementing LGBTQ+-affirming programs. The Commission advised the board to ensure that LGBTQ+ students had equal access to a safe public education.

The commission was an official advisory panel of educators, activists, and leaders who met regularly to review school climates and make recommendations. While Project 10 provided direct support to students, the Commission focused on district-wide policy and political protection. Furthermore, the Commission and Project 10 worked together in producing the first district-sponsored “Models of Pride” youth conference at Occidental College.

The work originally started by Project 10 now lives within LAUSD’s Human Relations, Diversity and Equity division, and the Office of Student Civil Rights.

Today, One Institute joins the Rainbow Education Coalition Los Angeles at the LAUSD Board to advocate for establishing an LGBTQ+ Steering Committee that revives the spirit of the Commission as our LGBTQ+ students, educators, and families face extreme attacks.

Later this month, we will host our fourth-annual Pride Month Educators’ Social. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, or education advocate, join us to connect, share resources, and celebrate our collective impact!

📅 Thu 6/25/2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
📍 STORIES: The AIDS Monument

More details and registration can be found at https://www.oneinstitute.org/june-25-2025-pride-month-educators-social-2026/

Image: LAUSD Gay & Le***an Education Commission, “Diversity is Beautiful: All Students Count!,” c. 1990s. LGBTQ Poster Collection, ONE Archives at the USC Libraries.

06/05/2026

Founded in 1982, the Multi-ethnic Gay and Le***an Exchange was an activist organization of Asian, Black, and Latino le****ns and gay men. Speaking at public forums and hosting events, the Exchange aimed to identify and address racism within the gay community.

In addition to marching at the iconic Christopher Street West pride parade pictured above, they organized events like film screenings and dances, and hosted political discussions to raise awareness of racial issues in the LGBTQ+ community.

The Exchange’s members worked with organizations like the ACLU’s Le***an and Gay Rights Chapter, Asian/Pacific Le***ans & G**s, and the Gay and Le***an Latinos Unidos. They also frequently met with civil rights activist and Presidential candidate Jesse Jackson. The Multi-ethnic Gay and Le***an Exchange, now inactive, represents the longstanding history of LGBTQ+ people taking action to challenge all types of discrimination, fostering intersectionality and pride.

Find us tabling this month at WeHo Pride (June 6-7) at booth 82 and LA Pride (June 14) at booth 73. While in WeHo, check out "The Birthplace of Contemporary Mainstream Drag," an exhibition on Atlanta's drag scene in the 1970s and 1980s, curated by Larry Tee, on view June 5-12 from 1-7 p.m. at One Gallery. An artist talk will take place on June 12 at 7 p.m.

This Pride Month, we are also hosting a public tour of STORIES: The AIDS Monument on June 13. Educators are invited to join us at the Monument for our Pride Month Educators' Social on June 25.

More details about our Pride Month programming can be found at oneinstitute.org

Image: Kent Garvey, “Multi-ethnic Gay/Le***an Exchange contingent in the Christopher Street West gay and le***an pride parade in Los Angeles,” June 1983. Kent Garvey photographs, ONE Archives at the USC Libraries. ONE Archives

06/04/2026

Are you an educator working to incorporate more LGBTQ+ histories into your curriculum? 📝

Network with like-minded professionals and learn more about One Institute’s q***r, trans, and HIV/AIDS history resources for teachers at our Pride Month Educators' Social, happening Thursday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

We hope you'll join us at STORIES: The AIDS Monument in West Hollywood Park for this education-focused event. Light refreshments will be provided.

More info and registration at https://www.oneinstitute.org/june-25-2025-pride-month-educators-social-2026/

06/02/2026

We're grateful to everyone who joined us at the City of West Hollywood Government's 4th annual Harvey Milk Day celebration.

It was great to meet new folks, and see the incredible talent of everyone who participated in the José Sarria Drag Pageant! 👑 What a way to kick off Pride Month.

Let's keep the festivities going! We hope to see you at WeHo Pride on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at booth 82. 🌈 Later in the month, visit our booth at LA Pride on Sunday, June 14.

Photos provided courtesy of the City of West Hollywood. Photo credit: Jonathan Moore.

05/29/2026

Our lesson plans and professional development on HIV/AIDS history continue the legacy of affirming educators like Dr. Virginia Uribe, a science teacher who founded Project 10 in 1984. Eventually adopted at schools throughout Los Angeles and the nation, Project 10 was the first in-school support program for LGBTQ+ youth and promoted accurate HIV/AIDS education. Posters in Uribe’s classroom read: “AIDS: Suddenly S*x Has Become Very Dangerous” and “AIDS is spread by blood, semen, & ignorance!!”

Are you a K-12 teacher passionate about HIV/AIDS history? Apply for our Teacher Symposium, happening July 13-17. 📝Work with One Institute’s curriculum specialists, historic leaders in HIV/AIDS art and activism, and archivists from ONE Archives. Together, we will begin to develop new California standards-aligned lesson plans on HIV/AIDS histories, using primary sources from ONE Archives.

Participating teachers can earn up to $500 for a completed lesson plan. Applications are due at 11:59 PM on Sunday, June 14. Learn more at https://www.oneinstitute.org/july-13-17-2026-stories-teaching-hiv-aids-histories/

Image: Kent Garvey, “Project 10 founder Virginia Uribe and students at Fairfax High School,” Dec. 1987. Kent Garvey photographs, ONE Archives at the USC Libraries.

Address

7655 W Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
90046

Telephone

+13234192159

Website

http://oneinstitute.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when One Institute posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to One Institute:

Shortcuts

Featured

Peter Christian Hernandez Memorial Scholarshi

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Los Angeles?