Queering the Archives: The Collections of the CLGA #1

Getting back to my unofficial position as the queer history blogger I thought it might be worthwhile to highlight some notable collections and material held at the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives in Toronto. Partly to advertise the archives and partly to give readers, who might otherwise have little experience in Canadian LGBT history, a glance at what the institution has to offer scholars. Working with the volunteer staff at CLGA I'll highlight collections with background over a series of posts.

We'll start off with a simple introduction. The archives was founded in 1973, but has since grown to become the second largest LGBT archives worldwide. Many of the early founders were also member of The Body Politic; an early gay liberation group in Toronto. The editorial collective of the The Body Politic established the archives beginning with the organizations papers.  The CLGA was recently profiled in the newsletter of The Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender History, an affiliate of the American Historical Association.

See here for a history of the archives or go here to check out its blog. I won't go into any specific collections in this post, but here you can find a general listing of the materials held there at the archives.