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LGBTQ+ Open Resources

A Guide to Openly Accessible Resources

Archives - United States & International

AIDS Education Posters Collection - University of Rochester

The site features digital reproductions of the HIV/AIDS Education Posters collection donated by Dr. Edward C. Atwater. Recognizing their historical significance, Dr. Atwater preserved over 8,000 posters from 130 countries and 75 languages for scholarly study. 

Arizona Queer Archives

The Arizona Queer Archives works with LGBTQI, gender non-conforming, and Two-Spirit communities in Arizona to preserve and share their unique histories. It collects personal stories, photos, oral histories, and artifacts, as well as records from supportive organizations and safe spaces. 

Cherry Grove (New York) Archives Collection

This collection is dedicated to preserving the social, political, and cultural history of the LGBTQ(S) community of Cherry Grove, Fire Island, NY. The CGAC collects and shares this history by protecting and storing its historical artifacts, including documents, photographs, and film.

Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

The Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection is the largest LGBTQ archival repository in the Midwest, containing over 500 collections of queer and trans materials. It holds around 3,500 linear feet of diverse materials, including books, records, zines, artifacts, and audiovisuals. While international in scope, the collection is particularly focused on documenting LGBTQ history in the Midwest and Twin Cities. 

Gay Ohio History Initiative 

The Gay Ohio History Initiative (GOHI) preserves and shares the history of LGBTQ+ Ohioans through archival collections, educational programs, and oral histories. Established in 2005, GOHI works with individuals and organizations across the state. In 2023, it launched a three-year project to include LGBTQ+ stories in Ohio's historical markers.

Gerber/Hart Library and Archives: Midwest LGBTQ History & Culture

Founded in 1981, Gerber/Hart Library and Archives collects, preserves, and shares the history and culture of LGBTQ+ communities in Chicago and the Midwest. It operates a free public lending library with materials focused on LGBTQ+ histories, especially in the region. The archives house over 160 collections of primary sources, including personal manuscripts, photographs, and organizational records. 

Gay Peoples Union Collection

The Gay Peoples Union (GPU) was a major LGBTQ+ rights organization in Milwaukee during the 1970s, evolving from a student group to a key community resource. It focused on education and legal reform, helping establish Milwaukee's first gay and lesbian community center. The Gay Peoples Union Collection offers digital access to primary materials such as reports, newsletters, and radio archives, documenting GPU's impact and community involvement.

Interference Archive 

Interference Archive collects materials from social movements, including posters, flyers, zines, and audiovisual recordings, to highlight and preserve marginalized histories. Founded in 2011, its history reflects a commitment to showcasing cultural production’s role in social change, with the papers of co-founder Dara Greenwald also featured in the collection.

June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives

The Mazer collects and preserves diverse materials by and about lesbians and feminists, including personal letters, artwork, manuscripts, books, and clothing. Its collection features artifacts such as scrapbooks, photographs, and memorabilia like t-shirts and buttons from feminist and lesbian groups.

Kinsey Institute: Digital Collections: Homosexuality, Polyamory, Transgender, Sexuality in Asia & Erotica 

The Kinsey Institute houses a rich archive of materials for scholarly use. The collection includes Dr. Alfred Kinsey's papers, the institute's records, and the materials of countless research scholars and institutes.

LGBT Digital Collections at the New York Public Library

The New York Public Library's Digital Collections platform offers over 922,495 digitized items, including books, videos, maps, manuscripts, and photos. It includes diverse historical content, some of which may reflect outdated views. Users can search and filter items by collection or division and view only public domain materials. 

LGBTQ Religious Archives Network

The LGBTQ Religious Archives Network (LGBTQ-RAN) helps LGBTQ religious leaders and groups preserve their records and provides an electronic clearinghouse for LGBTQ religious history. Established in 2001 and now an independent organization, LGBTQ-RAN acts as a virtual archive, facilitating access to and preservation of LGBTQ+ religious records. Please note: LGBTQ-RAN is both a consulting group/organization and an archive. 

National Museum of American History

The museum has been documenting LGBTQ+ history as part of American history since its founding. Its collections span centuries and cover various aspects such as politics, medicine, and entertainment. Some items were collected for reasons later discovered to have LGBTQ+ significance, like coins featuring historical figures with same-sex attractions. 

Oregon State University Queer Archives: LGBTQ+ Archival Repositories

The webpage from Oregon State University Libraries provides an overview of the Oregon State Queer Archives (OSQA) collections. It highlights the range of materials included, such as personal papers, organizational records, photographs, and ephemera related to LGBTQ+ history in Oregon. 

Rainbow History Project

The Rainbow History Project webpage offers access to its online archives, which focus on documenting LGBTQ+ history in the Washington, D.C. area. The archives include various digital materials such as photographs, documents, and organizational records that capture the experiences and contributions of the local LGBTQ+ community. Notably, the site features sections dedicated to the AIDS Memorial Quilt, showcasing panels that honor individuals lost to the epidemic. 

San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival

The webpage on the Frameline website provides access to the Program Guide Archive, which offers historical program guides from the Frameline Film Festival. Frameline, a prominent LGBTQ+ film festival, has been documenting its annual events since its inception. The archive includes past program guides dating back to 1977 detailing film screenings, festival schedules, and related events. 

San Francisco Public Library James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center

The James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center at the San Francisco Public Library Digital Collection page (https://digitalsf.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A191628) features a detailed guide to the Center's digital archive, which showcases materials related to LGBTQIA history and culture. The collection includes various types of media, such as documents, photographs, and artifacts, that reflect the experiences and contributions of LGBTQIA communities. 

South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA)

The webpage from the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) focuses on the theme of gender and sexuality within the South Asian American community. It offers a collection of materials that explore and document the diverse experiences related to gender identity and sexual orientation. This includes oral histories, articles, photographs, and other digital resources that highlight the stories and contributions of LGBTQ+ South Asian Americans, as well as their struggles, advocacy, and cultural expressions. 

Stonewall National Museum and Archives

The Stonewall National Museum & Archives website offers access to its digital collections, which include a range of materials documenting LGBTQ+ history and culture. The digital collections feature historical documents, photographs, and artifacts related to LGBTQ+ activism, individuals, and organizations. 

University of Florida LGBTQ+ Collection

The LGBTQIA Collection at the University of Florida Digital Collections provides access to a variety of materials related to LGBTQIA history and culture. It includes documents, photographs, and other resources that reflect the experiences, activism, and contributions of LGBTQIA individuals and communities. 

University of South Florida LGBTQ+ Collections
https://lib.usf.edu/special-collections/tampa/lgbt-collections  and  https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ca79acfb94194daba9d67dc741b01073

The LGBTQ+ Collections at the University of South Florida Special Collections include various resources related to LGBTQ+ history, culture, and activism. This collection features materials such as personal papers, organizational records, and published works. It aims to document and preserve the experiences and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities, with a focus on the Tampa Bay area and beyond. 

Willa Cather Archive

The Willa Cather Archive, launched in 1997, provides free digital editions of Cather's works and scholarly content. It features transcriptions of pre-1922 books, short fiction, public letters, and nonfiction, along with biographies, photographs, and virtual tours. Unique resources include "Mapping a Writer's World" and The Complete Letters of Willa Cather

ArQuives Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives

The ArQuives is dedicated to preserving and documenting LGBTQ2+ history and culture in Canada. It houses a range of materials, including personal papers, organizational records, publications, and multimedia, that reflect the experiences and contributions of LGBTQ2+ individuals and communities. The collection aims to support research, education, and public understanding of LGBTQ2+ issues by providing access to historical documents and artifacts. Through its holdings, the Arquives seeks to highlight the rich and diverse history of LGBTQ2+ activism and life in Canada.

Australian Queer Archives

The Queer Archives is focused on documenting and preserving the history and culture of LGBTQ+ communities in Australia. The collection includes a variety of materials, such as personal documents, organizational records, photographs, and audiovisual materials. It aims to capture the experiences, struggles, and achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals and groups throughout Australia's history. The archive serves as a resource for researchers, activists, and the general public, offering insights into the evolution of LGBTQ+ identities and movements in Australia.

Bishopsgate Institute (UK) LGBTQIA Archives

The LGBTQIA+ archives at Bishopsgate Institute focus on documenting the history and experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. The collection includes a range of materials such as personal documents, organizational records, and ephemera related to LGBTQIA+ history. It provides valuable insights into the social, political, and cultural aspects of LGBTQIA+ life and activism. The archive aims to preserve and make accessible the diverse stories and contributions of LGBTQIA+ people, supporting research and education in this field.

CIRN: GAY FREEDOM MOVEMENT ARCHIVES

The archives at the provided link focus on the International Conference on Intersex, Gender Diversity, and Human Rights (ICIRNG) materials. These archives document the proceedings, presentations, and discussions from the conference, which addresses issues related to intersex and gender diversity. The collection includes conference papers, reports, and other relevant documents that contribute to the understanding and advocacy of intersex and gender diversity rights on an international scale.

IHLIA Collections
The IHLIA (International Homo/Lesbian Information Center and Archive) collection, located in the Netherlands, focuses on LGBTQ+ history, culture, and activism. It encompasses a wide range of materials, including books, periodicals, personal papers, photographs, and audiovisual materials. The collection documents LGBTQ+ life and movements across different periods and regions, providing resources for research, education, and preserving the historical narrative of LGBTQ+ communities.

Kawe Mahara Queer Archives Aotearoa (formerly LAGANZ) 

The Kawe Mahara Queer Archives Aotearoa (formerly known as the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand (LAGANZ)) preserves and documents the history of LGBTQ+ communities in New Zealand. It collects a wide array of materials, including personal papers, organizational records, and various media related to LGBTQ+ experiences and activism. The archive's mission is to ensure that the diverse histories of LGBTQ+ individuals and groups are preserved for future generations and made accessible for research and public education.

Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive (LAGNA)

The London LGBTQ+ Community Archives (LAGNA) focuses on preserving and documenting the history of LGBTQ+ communities in London. It collects a diverse range of materials, including personal papers, organizational records, and ephemera related to LGBTQ+ life, activism, and culture. The archive aims to highlight the experiences and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and groups, offering resources for research, education, and public engagement.

London School of Economics Hall-Carpenter Archives

The LGBT Collections at the London School of Economics (LSE) Library focuses on documenting the history, culture, and activism of LGBTQ+ communities. The collections include various materials such as books, periodicals, pamphlets, and archival documents that cover topics related to LGBTQ+ social movements, politics, and personal experiences. These resources are intended to support research and scholarship in LGBTQ+ studies and provide insight into the diverse experiences and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and groups.

National Archives (UK)

The National Archives site provides a research guide focused on gay and lesbian history in the UK. It offers resources and advice on how to find historical records related to LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. The guide highlights key archives, documents, and collections relevant to researching LGBTQ+ history, including personal papers, organizational records, and government documents. It aims to help researchers access and interpret historical materials about gay and lesbian experiences and activism.

Passions Uncovered: Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Pulps (University of Saskatchewan)

The "Pulp Fiction Collection" at the University of Saskatchewan, accessible through the provided link, focuses on preserving pulp fiction novels that were originally published in the mid-20th century. These pulp novels, often featuring lurid or sensationalist covers, were notable for depicting LGBTQ+ themes, especially during a time when such representation was largely marginalized or censored. The collection provides access to pulp novels with LGBTQ+ content, offering a valuable resource for researchers interested in the cultural and historical contexts of queer representation in literature.

Skeivt Arkiv: The Norwegian Archive for Queer History

The Skeivt Arkiv, located in Oslo, Norway, is a specialized archive dedicated to preserving and documenting LGBTQ+ history and culture in Norway and beyond. It focuses on collecting and maintaining materials such as personal documents, organizational records, photographs, and other artifacts related to LGBTQ+ experiences. The archive serves as a resource for research, education, and public engagement, aiming to support the visibility and historical understanding of LGBTQ+ communities.

Schwules Museum Library and Archive

The archive and library at the Schwules Museum in Berlin, Germany, focus on collecting, preserving, and documenting LGBTQ+ history and culture. It houses an extensive collection of books, periodicals, documents, and personal papers related to the lives and experiences of queer individuals, as well as materials about gender and sexuality. The archive also includes artworks, posters, and other cultural artifacts that reflect the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities. This resource serves both academic researchers and the general public interested in the history of queer activism, representation, and identity.

Transgender Archives (University of Victoria)

The Transgender Archives at the University of Victoria is dedicated to preserving the history of transgender individuals and communities worldwide. It houses the largest collection of archival materials related to transgender activism, research, and social movements, with documents dating back over 100 years. The archive includes personal papers, publications, and organizational records that highlight the contributions of transgender people and their allies to social justice, healthcare, legal reform, and education. Its mission is to make this history accessible to researchers, students, and the public, promoting awareness and understanding of transgender experiences.

Two Spirit Archives (University of Winnipeg)

The Two-Spirit Archives at the University of Winnipeg is a specialized collection that focuses on preserving the histories, experiences, and cultures of Two-Spirit people, who are Indigenous individuals with both LGBTQ+ and traditional cultural identities. This archive includes various materials such as documents, photographs, and oral histories that highlight the role of Two-Spirit individuals within Indigenous communities and the broader LGBTQ+ movements. The goal of the archive is to support research, education, and public awareness about Two-Spirit identities and to ensure the preservation of these often marginalized histories.

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