Skip Navigation
Artifact Date
February 1958
Topic(s)
  • Journalism
  • Politics
  • Supreme Court

G45867M-ONE Magazine 1958
Zoom in with our
Artifact Viewer

Select a thumbnail to launch the artifact viewer.

Gay Magazine Wins First Amendment Challenge

In this February 1958 issue, ONE celebrates its Supreme Court victory over the U.S. Post Office, which refused to distribute the magazine, citing obscenity laws.

About the artifact

On Jan. 13, 1958, the Supreme Court upheld the magazine’s right to publish. It was a landmark victory for the gay rights movement. The ruling consisted of just one sentence but extended First Amendment free speech protection to the gay press. The article notes: "By winning this decision, ONE Magazine has made not only history but law as well and has changed the future for all U.S. homosexuals."

 

Also worth noting

The Los Angeles magazine debuted in January 1953 and did not publish explicitly sexual content.

Credit: Newseum Collection

On Jan. 13, 1958, the Supreme Court upheld the magazine’s right to publish. It was a landmark victory for the gay rights movement. The ruling consisted of just one sentence but extended First Amendment free speech protection to the gay press. The article notes: "By winning this decision, ONE Magazine has made not only history but law as well and has changed the future for all U.S. homosexuals."

 

Explore More Artifacts

Quick View

Related EDClasses & Training

  • Media Ethics

    Is it OK to clean up a quote or broadcast unconfirmed information? Students become more critical consumers of news media by examining real-life case studies of journalists striving to be accurate, fair and clear.

  • Photo Ethics

    Students become more critical consumers of visual information by examining real-life case studies of photojournalists striving to be accurate, fair and clear.

Keep in the loop!

Sign up for NewseumED updates and newsletter today.