As we move into Pride Month,
It feels like an opportune time to reflect on the connection between librarians, archives and queer history in Australia. Many of the stories, photographs, posters, magazines and personal records that exist today have been carefully collected and protected by librarians, archivists, and community volunteers who understood how important these histories are. And that preservation itself can be a radical act.
For a long time, queer stories were often erased, left out of libraries and official records or hidden away under medicalised language. In response, queer librarians and activists began the work of subverting those systems from within by creating new categories and insisting that queer experiences deserved visibility and permanence (See: 1/ The Foundation of the Australian Queer Archives Our History Archives - AquA - and The Gay Librarians Group was formed in Melbourne in March 1976.s. 2/ Margy Burn [Part 1] interviewed by Bruce Carter, 2 November 2022 - interview on Amplify).
By creating their own collections and archives, these librarians made sure these stories were not lost (See :1 / Preserving LGBTQIA+ history at the State Library of NSW and 2 / Baim, Tracy. (2015) Barbara Gittings: Gay Pioneer).
We only need to look to the Australian Queer Archives and their role in preserving Australia’s queer history. Through newsletters, protest material, photographs and oral histories, the archive has created a place where queer Australians can see themselves reflected in history.
There is something deeply special about the connection between librarianship and queer activism. Both are rooted in care: caring for stories, for communities and for future generations who deserve to know that queer people have always been here.
These are some read recommendations...
The Making of the Victorian Pride Centre
by Judith Buckrich
It tells the story behind the creation of Australia's first purpose-built Pride Centre. The book explores the history of LGBTIQ+ communities in Victoria and celebrates the people, organisations, and vision that brought the Victorian Pride Centre to life, creating a lasting space for inclusion, connection, and community.
Making the Case for Equality: 50 Years of Legal Milestones in LGBTQ History
by Jennifer C. Pizer
Chronicles the landmark legal cases that helped advance LGBTQ rights in the United States over the past five decades. Through powerful stories, archival photographs, and historical documents, the book highlights the role of Lambda Legal in shaping equality, civil rights, and legal protections for LGBTQ people and people living with HIV.
Growing Up Queer in Australia
by Benjamin Law,
It is a powerful collection of personal stories from LGBTQIA+ Australians reflecting on identity, belonging, family, and self-discovery. Featuring diverse voices from different backgrounds and generations, the book offers an honest and moving exploration of what it means to grow up queer in Australia.