Title: Liberation Publications Records
Inclusive Dates: 1971-1981

Creator:

• Liberation Publications

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 261

Quantity:

• 1.8 cubic ft. (5 boxes)
• 1 oversize folder

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Collection consists primarily of the correspondence files of GPU News, the news and literary magazine of the Gay Peoples Union of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. GPU News was published by the Gay Peoples Union from 1971 to 1976 and by Liberation Publications from 1976 to 1981.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0261

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The Gay Peoples Union (GPU) was the most important gay and lesbian rights organization in Milwaukee during the 1970s. Taking distance from the radical politics of the New Left, its members adopted a politically moderate approach to social change, emphasizing education and legal reform. Publication of GPU News was critical to its mission. Debuting in October 1971, the magazine included coverage of local and national news, editorials, articles, book reviews, fiction and poetry. It published works by authors and artists such as Dennis Cooper, Betty Fairchild, Arnie Kantrowitz, and Vito Russo. GPU News had an international circulation, reaching subscribers in Canada, Europe, and South America.

In 1976, GPU sold the assets and operations of GPU News to Liberation Publications, a Wisconsin corporation newly formed by the staff of the paper. GPU did so on the advise of legal counsel with the goal of improving its application to the Internal Revenue Service for a 501(c) classification as a non-profit organization. GPU News continued to serve as the news and information medium for all activities and programs of GPU, and the editorial board and staff remained unchanged.

Effective with the June 1976 issue, the first published by Liberation Publications, GPU News was wholly protected by copyright. Previous issues were not copyrighted due to GPU's "commitment to the national gay community, most of whose publications [were] (like GPU News) nonprofit in structure" (GPU News June 1976, p. 5). The editorial board opted to exercise its copyright in order to restrain the unauthorized reprinting of articles and other materials from GPU News.

By 1980, the magazine's volunteer base was severely limited and it was with regret that the editor, Eldon Murray, announced that the January 1981 issue would be the last.

Records largely document Eldon Murray's editorship of GPU News from 1972 (?) to 1981. They include his correspondence with authors and often copies of works submitted for publication. The correspondence files also document routine activities, such as subscriptions, ad placements, and exchange copies. It includes crank and hate letters received from the Anti-Homosexual Committee of Milwaukee. This series does not appear to contain correspondence after mid-1977. Files T through Y were not among those donated to the UWM Libraries and are likely non-extant.

The collection also includes miscellaneous files consisting of financial reports, Friends of GPU News bulletins, and articles of incorporation.

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

• Eldon Murray Papers. UWM Manuscript Collection 256.

• Gay Peoples Union Records. UWM Manuscript Collection 240.

Special Collections holds a complete set of GPU News.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Custodial History

Following the dissolution of Liberation Publications in 1981, the records of the organization were retained in the custody of Eldon Murray, editor of GPU News, until their donation to the UWM Libraries in 2007.

Acquisition Information

The Estate of Eldon Murray donated the collection in July 2007 (accession 2007-001).

Processing Information

Michael Doylen processed the collection in March 2008.

	Correspondence, 1972-1977
Box   1 Folder   1	A
Box   1 Folder   2	B
Box   1 Folder   3-4	C
Box   1 Folder   5	COSMEP [Committee of Small Magazine Editors and Publishers]
Box   1 Folder   6	D
Box   2 Folder   1	E
Box   2 Folder   2	F
Box   2 Folder   3-5	G-H
Box   3 Folder   1	I-K
Box   3 Folder   2-3	L-M
	N-O
Box   3 Folder   4-5	Physical Description: Folders 1-2 of 3
Box   4 Folder   1	Physical Description: Folder 3 of 3
Box   4 Folder   2	P-Q
Box   4 Folder   3	R
Box   4 Folder   4	Rice, Lee, Associate Editor
Box   4 Folder   5	S
Box   4 Folder   6	Z
Box   5 Folder   1	Financial Reports, 1979-1980
Box   5 Folder   2	Friends of GPU News [Bulletins], 1980-1981
	Language of Oppression, [1977] Note: Design was used as the cover of the August 1977 issue of GPU News
Box   5 Folder   3	Broadsides
Oversize Folder   1	Poster
Box   5 Folder   4	Liberation Publications, Articles of Incorporation, 1976
Box   5 Folder   5	Mailing List [Accounts with Businesses], 1979