NBC News recently spotlighted the story of Edythe Eyde—better known by her pen name, Lisa Ben—who in 1947 produced the world's first lesbian magazine on her office typewriter at RKO Studios. She called it Vice Versa. Ben's papers, including rare copies of the publication, live on today in our ONE Archives at the USC Libraries.
Distributed discreetly by hand in a time of deep social and legal repression, Vice Versa ran for just nine issues, but its legacy as a pioneering voice is profound. The NBC News article by Margaret Hetherman traces Eyde’s life, the creation of the magazine, and the lasting impact of her courage and creativity.
The Lisa Ben papers are open to public research. A finding aid is available here.