2 issues of motive magazine

Collection

Identifier: MS 1123

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Stored onsite at Woodson Research Center. Small manuscripts collection.

Content Description

2 issues of motive magazine Volume 32: Nos. 1-2 No.1: Lesbian/Feminist Issue No. 2: Gay Men's Liberation and last motive

Dates

Creation: 1972

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from 2 issues of motive magazine collection must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library. The Woodson Research Center use policy is that researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of privacy, literary rights, copyrights, or other rights arising from their use of the archival materials. In addition to any restrictions placed by donors, certain kinds of archival materials are restricted for the life of the creator plus 50 years. These materials include, but are not limited to, student grades, transcripts, and any job applications or recommendations.

Biographical / Historical

motive (spelled with a lowercase “m”) was the official magazine for the Methodist Student Movement from its founding in 1941 and, for a few years at the end of its life, for the entire University Christian Movement (UCM). Much celebrated even at the time for its avant garde editorial and artistic vision, in 1966, Time magazine said it stood out among church publications “like a miniskirt at a church social.” It was the single runner-up to Life as Magazine of the Year in 1965. Ultimately, its strong stands on civil rights, Vietnam, and emerging gender issues became more than the Methodist Church officials could take. They withdrew funding, and it ceased publication in 1972. An entire generation of religious activists was shaped by its vision (description from Boston University, School of Theology https://sites.bu.edu/motive/)

The final two issues were published by the editorial collective know as The Furies, separately from the church. This eventual split from the church was a stance taken by the editors to align themselves more with the gay and lesbian movements of the times.