Gender Studies: Archives

Explore women and queer archives

The term archive is used in gender studies to refer to many different collections of things and materials - from an "archive of feelings" to a practice of feminist cultural analysis. This is far from the classic understanding of the word archive as a physical place that contains materials for documenting the past. 

Since the concept of the archive is so broad, it is important to add a few words about what we mean by archive on this site.  We have chosen to highlight archives that directly relate to women, gender and queers that lean more towards the classic understanding of an archive as a collection of materials. Moreover, the archives highlighted here all have parts of their collections digitized. This also means that we don't point to the large state archives, even though materials can often be found there as well. 
 
Archival work is a bit like detective work, and archival material about women and queers - whether individuals or movements - is often found in many different archives and can therefore be difficult to locate. On this page, we divide the archives into women and queer. This, however, does not mean that there are no women in the queer archives and vice versa. But it is a division that reflects the archives' own definitions. 

If you are interested in Danish archives, please visit this guide in Danish here. And feel free to reach out if you need any help at koensforskning@kb.dk. 

All archives mentioned here have digitized parts of their collections. If you're interested in Danish archives please visit the Danish version of this page. 

• Independent voices: LGBT
  Digital collection of 25 zines from the United States giving insight in the beginnings of the LGBT-movement. 
   
• HIV, AIDS and the arts
  This digital collection is dedicated to exploring how art has served as a form of activism, a medium for healing and bearing witness, and a vehicle for remembrance, rage, grief, and sparks of joy.

• Stonewall digital collections
  One of the largest LGBTQ+ archives and libraries in the US. Some of their materials are digitized and available on their website. The digitized collection includes Drag magazines, newsletters and a songbook titled ‘Turned on woman’.
   
• Lesbian Herstory Archives
  The Herstory archive has various collections and parts have been digitized and are available online.  In their digitized collection you can find an audio/visual collection with interviews, clips from demonstrations and theater performances. In addition, you can find a t-shirt collection and a collection of badges.
  
  
• Bishopsgate Institute 
  Bishopgate's special collection documents and collects materials from people and organizations fighting for social, political and cultural change. In their digital collection you can find programmes, news and badges from London Pride in the 70s, 80s and 90s and British LGBT+ movement magazines.
   
• National archives UK- LGBTQ+ history
  Guide to finding LGBTQ+ people in the National Archives of England. Made as educational material but can provide a good point of departure. 
   

• Queermaps.org
  Online archive created to collect and share stories from LGBTQ+ places, organizations and communities in Los Angeles from 1871 onwards.

Archival material about women and the women's movement can be found in many different archives internationally. Here we have collected a number of links where either all or parts of the material can be accessed digitally. Are you interested in Danish or Scandinavian archives please visit the Danish version of this page. 

• Independent Voices: Feminist
  Digital collection of more than 75 alternative journals and zines from American feminists from the second half of the 20th century. All digitized and freely available to everyone. 
   
• FRAmes on GENder
  Digitized books, articles and pamphlets from 19 European countries. The content is from the second wave of feminism in Europe and includes feminist texts on topics ranging from maternity leave to racism. The content is accessible to everyone. 
   
• National archives UK - Women's histories
  Guide to finding women in the National Archives of England with links to digitized materials. Much of it is made as educational material, but can be used as a point of departure. 
   
• Women in the National Archives
  Extended access to digitized sources in the UK National Archive with a focus on women. Access only for users whose university has bought a license. 
   
• Library of Congress - Women's and Gender Studies Web Archive 
  Web archive that is continuously updated with new content. The collection includes old websites from movements such as MeToo and Black Lives Matter, campaign websites of various female politicians and NGOs. Freely accessible for everyone.