Queer History Archives

Queer History

trans awareness week

A cropped close up of Reed Erickson, a short man in a black suit stands between two women in dresses. All three half various shades of red hair.

The Complicated History of Reed Erickson, A Different Kind of Trans Resistance

When I think about people who had the power (and money) to do something and then did, I think of Erickson and all he accomplished.

Stef Rubino —

Nov 16, 2023

lesbian history

photography

A black and white photo shows seven smiling queer women sitting on top of telephone booths. Three people stand below them. Two others are visible on a balcony behind them. The image is surrounded by a border of pink, orange, green and yellow flowers.

book features

That Was the Era: Photographer Phyllis Christopher on Her Book “Dark Room”

“It was a political statement to portray sex, to portray queer sex, as it was to demand civil rights in the daytime.”

Ro White —

Jun 21, 2022

lesbian history

LGBT history

lgbt history

Precious and Adored: Reading Victorian Love Letters, Writing Queer History

When Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Simpson met in 1890, they fell for each other hard. Their once-hidden letters are collected in a new book.

Lizzie Ehrenhalt —

Jun 12, 2019

dogs

eleanor roosevelt

lgbt history

Lesbian and Bisexual Women of History Who Were Obsessed With Their Dogs, Part 3

Eleanor Roosevelt, Frida Kahlo, Naomi “Micky” Jacob, Elsie de Wolfe and Elisabeth Marbury — and their puppers!

Sally —

Nov 21, 2018

#lgbthistorymonth

lesbian avengers

lgbt history

The Lesbian Herstory Archives Guard Our Past, Give Us Hope for Our Future

The weekend Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court, I visited the Lesbian Herstory Archives and spent the day with coordinators Maxine and Saskia to learn about our past…

Vanessa —

Oct 22, 2018

herstory list

instagram

lgbt history

16 Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Instagram Accounts to Introduce You to Our Herstory

I want to devour everything that came before us so we can continue to grow better, brighter, louder, closer. These Instagram accounts are a great place to start.

Vanessa —

Oct 1, 2018

alice b toklas

dogs

lgbt history

Lesbian and Bisexual Women of History Who Were Obsessed With Their Dogs, Part 2

What further revelations lurk in our woefully unexplored queer pupper past? Find out literally right now, as we continue our historical adventures with gal’s best pal!

Sally —

Aug 9, 2018

Queer History

websites we like

culture

Here, Queer, Everywhere: ‘Queering the Map’ Gives Voice to Queer Spaces Worldwide

“The aim of the project is to make legible memories, histories and moments of queerness that would otherwise disappear.”

Vanessa —

May 10, 2018

dogs

lesbian history

lgbt history

Lesbian and Bisexual Women of History Who Were Obsessed With Their Dogs, Part 1

If you’ve been waiting your whole life to find people in history that really reflect who you are, today is that day! We’re examining the many ways gay, bisexual, queer…

Sally —

May 9, 2018

nonfiction

Queer History

lgbt book reviews

“Black on Both Sides” Disrupts Black and Trans History as You Know It

Blackness and transness interconnect in this radical history of not just black and trans people, but also where beliefs about black and trans people come from.

Ari —

Apr 25, 2018

Queer History

trivia quiz

quizzes

Are You Gay or Just Happy to See Me: The Queer Code Trivia Quiz

Do you remember the first non-verbal ~thing~ that made you look at someone and realize they were probably queer? Here’s a quiz about various non-verbal (visual! written! music! etc!) ways…

Archie —

Apr 23, 2018

#lgbthistorymonth

harlem renaissance

book lists

25 LGBT History Books to Add to Your Epic Queer History Reading List

Celebrate LGBT History Month by reading LGBT history books!

Ryan Yates —

Oct 27, 2017