New York City League for Sexual Freedom and The Feminists files, circa 1964-1970.
Collection Number: 7844

William Goring was a radical anarchist and founding member of the Columbia University chapter of the New York City League for Sexual Freedom, also called the Sexual Freedom League, an organization founded in 1963 in New York City by Jefferson Poland and Leo Koch. The organization promoted sexual activity among its members and agitated for political reform, especially for the repeal of laws against abortion and censorship. It contributed to the sexual revolution of the 1960s, a cultural and political movement that challenged traditional codes of behavior related to sexuality and interpersonal relationships. Goring joined the mailing list for the radical feminist group called the October 17th Movement, named after the date that women from the New York City chapter of NOW decided to form it. Later known as The Feminists, the group sought to create a new kind of feminist movement, one with starkly different attitudes about sexuality and the sexual revolution than those of the League for Sexual Freedom. The Feminists highlighted the oppressive nature for women of both male sexuality and existing gender roles. Ti-Grace Atkinson was the group's central figure and informal leader until she left the group in 1971. Other prominent members included Anne Koedt, Sheila Michaels, Barbara Mehrhof, Pamela Kearon, and Sheila Cronan.

Files about the NYC League for Sexual Freedom, all from 1964, including a proposal for its structure dated 20 April 1964, and a pink mimeographed rough draft of this proposal with handwritten notes. Seven letters to and from Goring about the League, 1 from Jefferson Poland. Danny Sloan wrote to William Goring about Sloan's recent broadcast with Barry Gray on December 14th. On the letterhead, Allen Ginsberg and others are listed as advisory committee members of the NYLSF. Flyers showing the issues of concern to the League included the military's rules on sexuality and invasion of privacy; freedom to be nude; the rights of publishers, booksellers, and motion picture makers to create and distribute erotica; the defense of comedian Lenny Bruce; the Village Voice refusing to advertise a lesbian event; homosexual rights; legalizing prostitution; rights for prisoners; wife swapping and the swinging lifestyle; and a campaign to liberalize the policies of the Reference division of the NY Public Library. Also a flyer announcing Ralph Ginzburg speaking about his erotic magazine Eros, and newspaper clippings.

Typed statements of The Feminists, including their manifesto, organizational principles and structure, and essays written by the founders, Ti-Grace Atkinson, Barbara Mehrhof and Sheila Cronan, and other members, from circa 1968-1970.

Related material in collection #7624, Barry Gray Show debate on homosexuality.

New York City League for Sexual Freedom and The Feminists files, #7844. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.