JEB’s window installation at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art. Photograph by Ajay Suresh.
Places: Museums, Archives, Galleries & Libraries
There is likely not one museum, gallery, archive, or library that does not hold a work of LGBT+ significance within its walls - whether they acknowledge it or not. Some major museums, such as the V&A in England, hold specialised tours that introduce visitors to the queer stories behind certain works of art and artefacts. There are pros and cons to this approach - such tours are interesting and accessible to all, but tell a narrative chosen by the creator and relegates LGBT+ stories to particular tours one must go out of their way to book. Such obstacles do not exist in museums and archives created specifically to hold LGBT+ heritage.
Because acceptance of LGBT+ communities has only occurred in the past few decades, much of our LGBT+ heritage is not in a dedicated institution but instead is held by community archives and individuals who have kept and collected the items most important to them throughout their lives.
At time of writing, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated many countries and their the cultural sectors. Museums, galleries, archives and libraries have had to close their doors to visitors without certainty of reopening. Below you can find a list of dedicated LGBT+ museums, galleries, archives and libraries to visit virtually - and support if you can. Missing any? Let us know!
Schwules Museum - Berlin, Germany
The Schwules Museum in Berlin is probably one of the more prolific LGBT+ museums on this list. After a successful exhibition in a Berlin museum on the history of queer life from 1850-1950, the Schwules Museum was founded in 1985 to continue to explore, document, and advocate for queer lives. Today, exhibitions can cover queer art and history from across the world, with topics including queer and disability activism and queer gaming.
IHLIA LGBTI Heritage - Amsterdam, Netherlands
IHLIA is an archive located in The Netherlands that collects and preserve LGBTI history from across Europe. Along with exhibitions and programmes, they are heavily involved in promoting research into LGBT+ history across Europe.
The Australian Queer Archives - Melbourne, Australia
The Australian Queer Archives has a fascinating history, which you can read on their website. The archives hosts books, badges, art, newspaper clippings, and everything you could think of - along with running a queer history walk and education project.
GALA Queer Archives - Johannesburg, South Africa
The GALA Queer Archive preserves and promotes information on LGBTIQ lives in South Africa, and Africa at large. The Archive has a large number of collections, but along with exhibitions, research, and educational workshops, they also publish works as MaThoko’s Books, giving a platform for work by and on LGBTIQ people and culture.
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art - New York City, USA
The Leslie-Lohman Museum is an art museum exhibiting work by and about the LGBTQIA+ community. The have fantastic exhibitions and events, but you can also explore their collections online.
QUEER BRITAIN - LONDON, UK
Queer Britain is the youngest organisation on this list (I remember a conference in 2018 in which things were still under development!). While they’re still settling into their new premises, you can find more information on their website and in person in London.
Digital Transgender Archive - online
The Digital Transgender Archive is an incredible online resource based at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. I cannot encourage you enough to visit their website and spend some time learning about trans history from across the world.
ONE Archives - Los Angeles, USA
The ONE Archives has an incredibly deep collection of LGBTQ material. The ONE Archives Foundation supports access to the archive through art exhibitions and public programmes, and is the oldest active LGBTQ organisation in the USA since publishing ONE Magazine in 1952.