Welcome to the LGBTI ALMS 2012 blog

“With this conference you are shifting a way of operating from embattled isolation to involvement in cultural life in Europe and North America. The idea that there is a history in itself is important. It is important both politically and as a support of advocacy movements."

(Graeme Reid, Human Rights Watch)

IHLIA envisions that by 2020 the heritage of LGBTI individuals and the LGBTI community will be collected and recognized in Europe and globally as part of the cultural wealth of society. By 2020 we hope that every national archive or equivalent in every European State and every state archive in every US and Canadian State will collect and make available the history of its lesbian gay, transgendered, bisexual and intersex (LGBTI) citizens. 

From 1st- 3rd August IHLIA will be hosting a conference which will bring together professional and volunteer heritage workers to discuss the future of LGBTQI histories. Over the course of the next few weeks, this blog will summarise each of the papers that have been accepted for presentation at the conference. We invite you to read, discuss and comment upon these exciting and diverse papers. Where do you stand on some of the issues raised? What are your experiences of the issues raised? What can you add to the debate?

We hope that you will feel inspired by the range of presentations, and we look forward to seeing you at the conference!