Finding aid of the James M. Martin Diaries
Loni Shibuyama
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
Phone: (213) 741-0094
Fax: (213) 741-0220
Email: askone@onearchives.org
URL: http://www.onearchives.org
© 2008
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives. All rights reserved.
Finding aid of the James M. Martin Diaries
Collection number: Coll2008-035
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives
Los Angeles,
California
- Processed by:
- Loni Shibuyama
- Date Completed:
- June 12, 2008
- Encoded by:
- Loni Shibuyama
© 2008 ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives. All rights reserved.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant
from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Descriptive Summary
Title: James M. Martin diaries
Dates: 1971-1995
Collection number: 2008-035
Creator:
Martin, James M., 1943-
Collection Size: 1 archive carton.
(0.2 linear feet).
Repository:
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90007
Abstract: Journals, a newsletter and an autobiographical
note from James M. Martin. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1943, Martin was a
writer, activist, attorney and founder of a number of occult organizations.
This collection contains journals documenting Martin's life in Los Angeles and
Texas in the early 1970s, an issue of his self-published newsletter for
Servants of the Star and Snake, as well as an autobiographical timeline written
by Martin in 1995.
Languages: Languages
represented in the collection: English
Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access
restrictions.
Publication Rights
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in
writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner.
Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in
the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant
copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for
all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).
Preferred Citation
James M. Martin diaries, Coll2008-035, ONE National Gay and Lesbian
Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Acquisition Information
Gift of James M. Martin in 1995.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama,
June 12, 2008.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the
National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Biography
James M. Martin was born on March 23, 1943 in Corpus Christi, Texas. In
the early 1960s, Martin attended Texas Christian University and received
degrees in English and Journalism. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles
and attended film school at the University of California at Los Angeles. While
living in Los Angeles he was active in anti-war and counterculture movements
and earned a living as an editor and contributor to several Los Angeles-based
magazines and newspapers. It was during this time that Martin entered into one
of his first homosexual relationships.
In the late 1970s, Martin married a woman whom he met while working for
the magazine,
Coast. The two moved to Vermont where their
first son, Alex, was born. The family returned to Texas, where a second son,
Zack, was born. Martin then entered law school at Saint Mary's University, San
Antonio and subsequently went into private practice. In 1981, Martin and his
wife divorced.
Around that time, Martin "underwent a spiritual transformation" and by
1985, founded an occult fraternal order, the Ordo Templi Baphe-Metis, as well
as the American Gnostic Church. He participated in a number of other occult
organizations. In 1995, he founded the Servants of the Star and Snake as well
as the Sahaja Society, which explored tantric, Kundalini and Sahajayana theory
and practice. In addition, Martin wrote and published occult periodicals and
newsletters, including
The Aurea Flamma and
The Trident.
As of June 2008, James Martin continues to practice law in Corpus
Christi, Texas.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection comprises two journals, a newsletter, and an
autobiographical note from James Martin. The two journals, entitled "The Homo
File: Episodes in the Life of a Lavender Nigger," contain notes, clippings and
photographs documenting Martin's life in Texas and Los Angeles during the years
1971 - 1973. The collection also includes an autobiographical timeline written
by Martin and an issue of
The Trident, a newsletter Martin published
for the occult organization, Servants of the Star and Snake.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Diaries
Gays--United
States--1970-1980
Gays--United States--Texas
Homosexuality--United
States--Texas
Martin,
James
Martin, James M., 1943-
Occultism--Periodicals
Collection Contents
Box 1 : 1
Autobiographical Note
1995
Box 1
The Homo File: Episodes in the Life of a Lavender
Nigger
1971 - 1973
Box 1 : 2
The Trident Newsletter
Fall 1995
