Keep in mind that primary research sometimes involves additional investigation or communication in order to review and access certain types of materials. In most cases, archives will fulfill requests for materials via digitization requests, however, it depends on the archive. If you come across materials that are not available online, we suggest contacting the archive directly to see how you might access those materials from their collections. The sources listed here are by no means an exhaustive list and numerous other repositories for LGBTQ+ histories exist with varying levels of access to the public and online. If you come across books or other materials that you would like to review, but the Goldstein Library does not have access to, you can also submit Interlibrary Loan requests for articles or other materials that are available at other libraries.
Below is a selection of archives for finding primary source information on LGBTQ+ Film and Literature. Primary source information can include diaries, speeches, letters, interviews, oral histories, and other first-hand accounts. This is not a full list of all of the archives that are available online, but it should give you a starting point for finding primary source materials and investigation for your research. Most of these sites will list additional archival and primary source collections that are available or searchable online.
Lavender Legacies is a publication from the Society of American Archivists published by the Lesbian and Gay Archives Roundtable that is a comprehensive guide to primary source material relating to the history and culture of lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgendered (LBGT) people held by repositories in North America. You can use this site to search different archives across the country as well as gather information on their holdings, access, and additional details.
Use the following databases to look up primary source information. Primary source information can include diaries, speeches, letters, interviews, oral histories, and other first-hand accounts. Think of these databases as a starting point for your research. The information contained in them may be broad, so you'll have to evaluate your results after your initial searches to come to the conclusion of whether or not something is considered a primary source.
Find current and archived articles on issues, events, people, government and more with the world's largest collection of full-text news sources. Includes local news, editorials, announcements and other sections from more than 14,000 sources. Additional links to Access Business News and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune are included.
This database was featured as a Database of the Month for February 2024.