Section 1: LGBT History on the Web
Section 2: Oral History /Local History Resources in general
LGBT History on the Web
Note: This section is in need of major updating,
which will happen in the summer of 2023.
GLBT Archives
Seattle / Pacific Northwest resources
Other regional Projects
Projects concerning specific GLBT cultures and groups
Online Resources
Other Resources
GLBT Archives
Lavender Legacies
Society for American Archivists' Lesbian and Gay Archives Roundtable (LAGAR) provides links to archives in the U.S. and Canada that have LGBT collections, with descriptions of their LGBT materials.
USA
Gay and Lesbian Studies, New York Public Library
Description of their holdings and an overview and guide to research. See also the guide to the
Gay and Lesbian Collections in the Manuscripts and Archives Division.
Gerber/Hart Library
Information about one of the largest and oldest gay and lesbian libraries in the country. Located in Chicago.
George W. Henry Collection, Central Connecticut State University
Extensive list of GLBT-related books, periodicals, and papers can be searched at this site. Also of note are the Resource Files, listing ephemera such as flyers, pins, pamphlets, etc. held by the library. Located in New Britain, CT.
Human Sexuality Collection
A guide to papers held by the Rare & Manuscript Collections at the Cornell University Library.
International Museum of Gay and Lesbian History
Describes the concept and plans for a California-based museum intended to provide a comprehensive look at sexual minority history and culture. Good collection of images at this site.
James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center
Description of their holdings. Located at the San Francisco Public Library.
Kentucky Gay & Lesbian Library and Archives
Description of holdings and contact information. Located at the University of Louisville's Ekstrom Library and re-named the Williams-Nichols Collection.
Lesbian Herstory Archives
Description of the holdings, history, and exhibits of "the largest and oldest Lesbian archive in the world." Located in New York City, but respond to information requests from around the world.
Lesbian Legacy Collection
Brief description of their holdings and projects. Located near the University of Southern California campus.
June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives
Description of their holdings, a large collection of books, periodicals, images, and tapes. Located in West Hollywood. In the Life newsletter is available online at this site.
The National Archive of Lesbian & Gay History
Index and description of their extensive holdings of organization records, personal papers, and images (a couple of "must-see" examples are on the site). Located in New York City.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives
Description of "the world's largest research library on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered heritage and concerns," located in L.A.
Stonewall Library and Archives
Description of its holdings. Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
International
Academie Gay & Lesbienne
Web site for an archive associated with the Conservatoire des Archives et des Memoires Homosexuelles, which is in the process of conserving a collection of about 20,000 documents of French GLBT history.
Archives Gaies du Quebec
French-language site offering bibliographies, historical timeline, and online exhibits. Brief English description also avilable.
Brighton Ourstory Project
Brighton, England group that researches, publishes, collects, and organizes presentations on local gay and lesbian history. This is a content-rich site covering the 1800s to the present.
Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives
Description of the archive's extensive holdings. Located in Toronto.
Charlotte Museum Trust
Collects and preserves artifacts of lesbian culture from New Zealand.
Gay and Lesbian Archives of South Africa
Describes their collection of organization minutes and documents, clippings, papers, and oral history transcripts. Located at the William Cullen Library in the University of the Witwatersrand.
Gay and Lesbian Arts and Media Limited -- Before Stonewall Project
Describes an oral history project scheduled for 2003 in the UK.
Hall-Carpenter Archives
Description of the core collections compiled by activists in Great Britain, stored at the London School of Economics and at Middlesex University. They also have an oral history collection at the National Sound Archive in London.
Hamilton-Wentworth Lesbian/Gay Archives
Brief description from GayCanada Resource Directory. Located in Hamilton, Ontario.
Internationaal Homo/Lesbisch Informatiecentrum en Archief
Descriptions of the holdings of the Homodok-Lesbisch Archief in Amsterdam and the Anna Blaman Huis in Leeuwarden, Netherlands --
English-language version.
Lesbian Archive & Information Centre
Provides directions to a lesbian collection housed at the Glasgow Women's Library.
Manitoba Gay & Lesbian Archives
Brief description from GayCanada Resource Directory. Located in Winnipeg.
Schwules Museum
Information (in German) about Berlin's gay museum, library, and archive. Click on the flags for information in English.
Spinnboden
Information (in German) about Berlin's lesbian library and archive.
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Seattle / Pacific Northwest resources
Alvin Fritz Homepage
Several extensive and annotated resource lists for GLBT studies by a University of Washington librarian, including:
Gay and Lesbian Organizations and Publications of the Northwest and British Columbia
Gays and Lesbians: Reference and Bibliographical Works: Annotated
University of Washington Libraries, Bibliography of Gay and Lesbian Holdings
Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Gay and Lesbian Archives Project
Formed to ensure that the history of gays and lesbians in Bellingham and
Whatcom County is preserved for the purpose of scholarship and education. The Center plans to solicit archival material, conduct oral history interviews, generate public programs, and create an internet resource. They are seeking individuals in the region who have stories or memories, photos, publications, or other memorabilia to make available for recording or cataloging.
An Idaho Gay Bibliography
Citations to books, articles, and films that document the experience of gay people in Idaho from the early 19th century to the present day. From the Albertsons Library, Boise State University, which also has an online finding aid to its Gay Life Collection.
Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives
Seattle-based organization formed in 2005 to preserve lesbian herstory in the Pacific Northwest region. The Archives actively collects, documents, and preserves Lesbian Herstory in the Pacific Northwest for education and research.
University of Washington Libraries--Special Collections
Finding aids to GLBT holdings:
Dorian Group Records
-- Seattle gay organization active from 1977-1985
John M. Eccles Papers
-- a Mattachine Society member formerly active in Washington state
Charles J. Harbaugh Papers
-- Seattle-area therapist who was active in gay health issues
Tim Mayhew Collection on Gay Rights
-- Seattle-area activist; includes papers of the Dorian Society and other local organizations
Don Paulson Papers
-- interviews and photographs used in creating the book An Evening in the Garden of Allah
Seattle Women's Ensemble Records
-- records and photographs of a local feminist choral group of the 80s and 90s
YWCA (UW branch)
-- has some photos from the early days of the Lesbian Resource Center
(Finding aids to other UW collections, and links to info on consulting them, can be found at
"Finding Aids for Archival Collections.")
Washington State Historical Society
Finding aids to collections at their Research Center in Tacoma, including the papers of: Cal Anderson, Tom Flint, Red and Black Books Collective, and Tacoma Lesbian Concern.
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Other regional projects
Gay and Lesbian Regional History
Photos of early activists, articles on GLBT history, and links to other resources.
Archives of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Alliance at Princeton
Back issues of The Gaily Princetonian are available at this link.
Artifacts & Disclosures: Michigan's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Heritage
A virtual exploration of the real lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trangender people from over 100 years of Michigan history.
Austin Gay and Lesbian Timeline
Spans 1947 - 1983, with an emphasis on women's events; includes a bibliography.
Austin Lesbian Activists of the 70's Herstory Project
Information about the organization.
Boulder Queer History Archives
Timeline of events and texts of pertinent newspaper articles.
Brazos GLBT Oral History Project
A project documenting, through oral history, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history in the Bryan-College Station, TX, area.
Gay Officers Action League (GOAL)
and
Physicians and AIDS
Two collections of interviews available at the Columbia University Libraries Oral History Research Office.
GLBT Historical Society
Formerly the GLBT Historical Society of Northern California. Description of their holdings and exhibits, articles from their newsletter, and useful information for GLBT history researchers. Located in San Francisco.
A History of the Gay & Lesbian Denver
Overview of events, early organizing, and legislative campaigns.
The History Project
Documenting Boston’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender History. Describes the group's exhibits and publications, and includes a timeline and segments highlighting local Latino and African-American GLBT experiences.
Out in the Redwoods: A Documentary History Project
Description of the holdings at the University of California--Santa Cruz's Regional History Project.
The Rainbow History Project of Washington, D.C.
Content-rich site on D.C.'s LBGT history has timelines, historical list of gay-related venues, articles, and much more.
St. Louis Gay and Lesbian Archives
Description of the collection's holdings. Located at the Western Historical Manuscripts Collection of the University of Missouri--St. Louis.
Twin Cities Gay and Lesbian Community Oral History Project
Description of eight interviews in the holdings of the Minnesota Historical Society's library.
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Projects concerning specific GLBT cultures and groups
Deaf Queer Resource Center
An online collection of coming out stories in print and in sign language.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Religious Archives Network
Describes their efforts to preserve the history of LGBT religious movements.
Queer Music Heritage
Radio show web site with downloadable programs of gay and lesbian music of the past.
Twice Blessed: The Jewish GLBT Archives Online
Portal site with hundreds of links to news and other online information.
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Online Resourcess
World Wide Web Directories (Link Lists)
Gay and Lesbian National and International Organizations and Publications
Extensive list by UW librarian Al Fritz, organized by subject, of resources important to glbt research.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies
Links to resources available in the San Francisco Bay area. See also a 2000 article in the Berkeleyan: "Gay Bears! Campus archivist is preserving history of sexual minorities at Berkeley and beyond."
Lesbian History Project
Collection of links to papers, journals, images, and web resources, with an emphasis on the history of lesbians of color and southern California lesbians.
Timelines and Chronologies
Events Measure Increased Visibility of Gays, Lesbians
Chronology of selected events in GLBT history from 1983 to 1993.
Gay & Lesbian History in the US -- A Snapshot of the 20th Century
Timeline of significant events and personalities; produced by staff at San Diego State University.
Sears' Queer Southern Century (or so) Timeline
Events in southern queer history, starting in the 1860s. Part of the Generations Project.
The Knitting Circle: Timetable of Lesbian and Gay History
Spans Thirteenth Century to the present, focusing on events in Great Britain.
SwadePages: Swade's Lesbian Tribal Chant History Page
Chronology of lesbian history, from ancient times to the present.
The 20th Century in Review
A chronology of events impacting the GLBT community in the U.S., from 1914 on. From the online journal Q.Public, December 1999.
Queers in History
Long list organized by historical period and culture. Attractive site.
Sites devoted to specific individuals
The Blacklist
List of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people of African descent (under construction as of 6/15/03).
Don't Call Me Madam -- The sad and crazy life of Ray Bourbon
Biographical site on the "outrageous" female impersonator of the 1920s-1960s. Provides samples from recently issued CDs.
Charles Demuth -- Lancaster's Gay Icon
Biography of a Pennsylvania artist.
Reed Erickson and The Erickson Educational Foundation
Information on a philanthropist who funded many transgender projects and other GLBT endeavors, including the Seattle Counseling Services for Sexual Minorities.
Historical Lesbian Couples
Provides links to information and images of notable lesbian couples and other GLBT resources.
Rainbow Lives
"An Eclectic List of over 3,500 queer* lives around the world and throughout history," with an emphasis on queer Canadians.
September 11, 2001: Gay Victims & Heroes
This site has compliled information on the GLBT people who died in the September 11th attack.
Karl Heinrich Ulrichs
Information about the life and work of "the first known out-of-the-closet gay activist."
LeavesofGrass.org
Site devoted to aspects of Walt Whitman's poetry and influences. (Graphic-intensive; best viewed with a fast connection.)
Sites with online content on GLBT history
1970s Lesbian Feminism
Site hosted at Ohio State University has a brief history of the movement, timelines, resource lists, and discussion of the role of lesbians of color.
81 Words
Alix Spiegel's documentary on how the American Psychiatric Association declared homosexuality no longer a mental illness; originally aired on WBEZ Chicago's This American Life, January 18, 2002. (Online sound file available.)
Rick Bebout
Personal site with several sections recalling Toronto's gay history.
Behind the Mask -- arts & culture
Check the "museums and history" section for articles on GLBT history in Africa.
Bibliography: Lesbian & Gay History, Politics & Culture
Extensive reading list for a class at CUNY.
Famous or Distinguished Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals: A List of Names
Compiled by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table of the American Library Association.
The Freedom to Marry: Rites and Rights
Compiled by Ken Molsberry for the Legal Marriage Alliance of Washington. Site offers a wealth of documents highlighting developments in marriage equality in United States law.
Gay Culture Flourished In Pre-Nazi Germany
Text of an article from Update, Southern California's gay and lesbian weekly newspaper.
Gay History and Literature, by Rictor Norton
Collection of articles on gays in history and literature, with a focus on Great Britian, including a compilation of source documents from the 18th Century. Extensive list of GLBT history links also.
Gay History, Culture, Writings
Essays and reprints on a variety of topics, including a few on Stonewall.
Gay and Lesbian Southern History: Generations Project
Excerpts from a series of books by J.T. Sears on gay southern life, spanning 1895 to the present.
Gay Today: The History Project
Collection of articles, interviews, and reviews about people and events in the gay rights movement. (Follow the link at the bottom right-hand side of the page.)
Gay.com: GLBT History
Collection of the online network's articles on notable GLBT people.
gayhistory.com
Timeline of significant events in European and North American gay history, with brief descriptions of significant events and individuals. Also features of glossary of terms pertaining to the labeling of GLBT people in previous eras.
Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals in History
Has texts of several source articles, including the New York Daily News article of July 6, 1969 about the Stonewall rebellion. (Note: The links might show as white text on white background; you have to highlight them in order to see them.)
Gender and Sexuality
Eserver collection of articles and papers.
glbtq.com
An online encyclopedia of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, & queer culture. Extensive coverage of GLBT contributions to art and literature and GLBT topics in the social sciences. Also provides discussion boards for user comments.
History of the GLBT Movement in San Francisco
A decade-by-decade examination of the social movements and organizations that figured in the GLBT history of the city. Part of the Shaping San Francisco online project.
In Their Own Words: NIH Researchers Recall the Early Years of AIDS
An online presentation from the National Institutes of Health.
Irish Lesbian History
Essay by Dr Katherine O'Donnell, of the Women's Education, Research & Resource Centre, University College Dublin.
Lesbian & Gay History, Politics & Culture
Home page for a course taught at Hunter College. Extensive bibliography and links to online resources.
The Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals
An annotated bibliography of nonfiction sources in English.
Out of the Past
Web site supplementing the documentary film shown on PBS provides a historical timeline, background information on the people and events discussed in the film, a discussion forum, bibliography, images, and other resources.
Outhistory.com
Wiki-styled site offering exhibits and articles on LGBT history; operated by the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLAGS) at the City University of New York Graduate Center.
Outright Radio
Producer of audio documentaries about American gays and lesbians; sound files available.
People with a History
An Online Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* History. Hundreds of original texts and discussions addressing all historical periods and regions of the world.
Queer Resources Directory
Thousands of text files on many subjects; see the heading "Queer Culture, History and Origins."
Remembering Stonewall
David Isay's 1989 documentary commemorating the 20th anniversary of the riots; originally aired on July 1, 1989, on NPR's Weekend All Things Considered. (Online sound file available.)
Russian Gay Culture
and
East European Gay Culture
Online resources prepared by a faculty member at Middlebury College.
Sexuality and the City: Queer Los Angeles
Background material for a course taught at UCLA. Follow the "Real Estate/Territory" and "Case Studies" links for specific historical content.
STONEWALL Veterans' Association
Articles, photos, and graphics devoted to those who participated in the 1969 rebellion.
Sydney Gay History Walks
Background information on sites associated with gay male activities in Sydney, Australia, from the late 1700's on, including maps.
Transsexual, Transgender, and Intersex History
Site exploring the significant transgender movement events and people in the 20th Century.
Women in the Shadows
Annotated list of books in the Lesbian Pulp Fiction Collection at the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History, at Duke University. Includes some eye-catching cover graphics.
Women of the Left Bank
Elegant site highlighting the writers, artists, musicians, and thinkers of the Paris salons and clubs in the first half of the 20th century.
Images
After Stonewall
Site describing the documentary film and its companion, Before Stonewall, has images from the film available for downloading in its press kit.
Rainbow Icon Archive
Information and history on a number of popular GLBT symbols with downloadable images.
Stonewall and Beyond: Lesbian and Gay Culture
Images from a 1994 exhibition by Columbia University Libraries.
Uncle Donald's Castro Street Gallery
Images from the district's history. Includes "The Harvey Milk Pages."
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Other Resources
Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation
Information about a foundation that awards grants for gay-positive arts projects based on history.
Committee on Lesbian and Gay History
An affiliated society of the American Historical Association, promotes the study of homosexuality in the past and present by facilitating communication among scholars in a variety of disciplines working on a variety of cultures.
Society of Lesbian and Gay Anthropologists
Formerly the Anthropology Research Group on Homosexuality. Site provides syllabi and mentoring connections.
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Oral History / Local History Resources in general
National and regional
American Life Histories
Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project from the 1930s.
American Association for State and Local History
1717 Church Street Suite
Nashville TN 37203
National association, source of many texts and manuals.
Baylor University Institute for Oral History
Their web site offers essays and guidelines on oral history research, methods, and specific procedures such as transcribing.
DoHistory
Very engaging web site that supplements the documentary A Midwife's Tale and provides a case study in researching everyday life in the 18th century. The section titled "On Your Own" has primers on doing oral history and using primary sources such as probate records, deeds, and how to "read" a graveyard.
East Midlands Oral History Archive
The web site of this British project offers many useful PDFs on the methods and ethics of oral history collecting (look under the "Training" link).
Heritage Preservation
The web site of the National Institute for Conservation, Washington, D.C. Tips and resources for preserving old photographs and caring for memorabilia.
The History Channel: Guidelines for Oral History Interviews -- Student Workbook
PDF file with information for student-conducted interviews.
Northwest Oral History Association Online
Regional oral history clearinghouse for users of oral history, family, and personal history
Oral History Association
National association, with news of and links to dozens of projects around the USA.
Oral History Association of Minnesota
Follow the "Doing Oral History" link on this site for many useful documents on conducting interviews and processing tapes and transcripts.
Oral History Links on the Web
Extensive web directory maintained by the Regional Oral History Office at the U.C. Berkeley Library
Southern Oral History Program
Extensive web site opens with recent news about the project. Under the "Archives" link one can find samples of some of the more than 2500 interviews they've done. Under "How to" (look for the link at the bottom of the home page) you can find their Guidebook for doing oral history fieldwork as well as samples of their interview forms.
Veterans History Project
A project of the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. The web site offers useful guidelines on interviewing both veterans and civilian participants, as well as tips on preserving tapes and documents.
Washington state and local
Association of King County Historical Organizations (AKCHO)
P.O. Box 3257
Seattle WA 98114
Addresses the concerns of King County museums, heritage societies, and preservation groups.
Ballard Historical Society
Provides a brief historical overview of the neighborhood and an online photo archive.
Black Heritage Society of Washington State
P.O. Box 22961
Seattle, Washington 98122-0961
Center for Labor Studies
University of Washington
Box 353560
Seattle, WA 98195-3560
pcls@u.washington.edu
206 543.7946
Maintains several web-based exhibits on regional labor history and a photo gallery.
Cultural Development Authority of King County
The new embodiment of the King County Office of Cultural Resources, its Heritage Program continues most of the local history support work of the former Landmarks and Heritage Commission. Publishes the "Community History" newsletter 10 times per year.
Densho: Japanese American Legacy Project
Focuses on the WW II internment experience and its parallels to the post-September 11 atmosphere.
Duwamish Tribal Website
Information on the efforts the people of Chief Seattle are making to preserve their language, oral history, and material culture. Provides historical background and news on the plans to build a Longhouse cultural center in West Seattle.
HistoryLink
"Online Encyclopedia of Seattle, King County, and Washington State History" with hundreds of articles, including many on local gay history. Comprehensive web directory of state and local organizations, museums, and projects.
Jewish Archives Project
MSCUA
PO Box 352900
Seattle, WA 98195
Description
King County Snapshots
12,000 cataloged 19th and 20th century images of people, places, and events compiled from local heritage organizations.
MOHAI
Seattle's Museum of History and Industry web site has a searchable online photography archive.
Nordic Heritage Museum
3014 NW 67th St
Seattle, WA 98117
Oral Histories with JonLee Joseph
Overview of an oral history project with West Seattle elders.
Oral History Resources
Listing and description of Northwest organizations and resources (Cultural Development Authority of King County, Technical Paper No. T12)
Pacific Northwest Historians Guild
Decribes its programs, publications, and research activities.
Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project
Information about local labor and ethnic rights movement organizations and excerpts from interviews with activists.
Seattle Municipal Archives Map Index
Searchable archive of approximately 400 online map images of Seattle and its neighborhoods, dating back to the 1920s.
The Voices of WWII
Documentaries, transcripts, photos, and lesson plans highlighting the stories of WWII veterans in Washington State.
Washington State Historical Society
1911 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-272-3500
Washington State Jewish Historical Society
2031 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
206-774-2277
Washington State Oral History Program
PO Box 40243
Olympia WA 98504-02453
(360) 586-4477
Conducts interviews with Washington state legislative leaders.
Wing Luke Asian Museum
407 Seventh Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98104
206 623.5124
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