During Lesbian Pride and Visibility Month, we launched our new phrase, a co-creation with the Brazilian Lesbian Archive - ALB .
A heritage of visibility and memory, the Archive is a civil society institution that was created in 2020, on the initiative of researchers who, aware of the difficulty of finding sources on lesbianism , they intended to facilitate access to and dissemination of lesbian memory. They gathered personal collections and donations, transforming them into part of the ALB's heritage.
Composed of lesbians with varied gender identities, as well as volunteers and allies of other sexual orientations, in Brazil, the Archive is present in 6 states and the Federal District, with members in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília, Bahia, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, besides Providence and New York, in the United States.
Has been playing a role for 3 years essential when interrupting the trajectory of erasure imposed on the history of lesbian women, while at the same time increasing the visibility of the community and allowing them to learn about their past as historical subjects.
"To those who came and to those who came" resonates with the deep purpose of the Brazilian Lesbian Archive: to ensure the preservation and free access to lesbian memory , whether from Brazil or abroad, and to democratize access to these items.
"It is crucial to acknowledge those who paved the way in a trajectory marked by the silencing, prejudice and dehumanization of the bodies and existence of lesbian women. Those who make up our construction and are the basis of what we have become," says Karina Gallon, founder of Peita.
THE This phrase co-created with Peita is a tribute to those who came before us and to those who are yet to come. So that in the future no more history will be written without us. The partnership is expected to increase the visibility of the project and encourage collaboration with the collection, which continues its mission of establishing itself as a reference center for lesbian research and documentation.
In addition to its collection, the institution also maintains a monthly reading club, with more than 10 editions already held, focusing on readings that explore the theme of lesbianism, including works written by lesbians, followed by constructive debates. The sessions take place virtually, allowing participants to contribute financially according to their means.
Looking to the future, ALB's goals include secure a headquarters, a physical space for its activities, in addition to progress in the collection's digitization processes, aiming to further expand its digital library.
Regarding the archives curation process, donations and acquisitions of materials follow criteria established by the board of directors, taking into account aspects such as financial resources, available space and relevance to the collection. Although the final decisions on purchases and acquisitions are made by the board of directors, suggestions can be made by any member or even by external nominees.
The general management team includes Paula Silveira-Barbosa , a black, non-binary lesbian, journalist, researcher, and history student. Stela Barboza , a cis, lesbian, white woman, clinical psychologist and specialist in lesbian care, is on the financial board. Julia Taveira is the administrative director, history student, elementary school teacher, cis, lesbian, white woman.
The Archive makes items from its collection available free of charge in the restricted area of the website. Consultation is exclusively digital, and reproduction is prohibited. To access, prior registration is required, as in any memory institution, such as libraries and documentation centers.
With this partnership, we hope to raise awareness among lesbian women so that they contribute, whether through material or financial donations or even by becoming an active part of the organization.
To contribute to the project with works or join the team, write to arquivolesbicodobrasil@gmail.com
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Brazilian Lesbian Archive Website - ALB
@archivesbicobrasileiro
