Boston's LGBTQ+ History: Home
Boston's LGBTQ+ History
The history of the LGBTQ+ community in Boston is long and complex. Given that sexual 
orientation and gender identity are intensely personal and often hidden from the public for social or practical reasons, finding reliable information about that history can be difficult. Self-identifying vocabulary used or intentionally not used by the LGBTQ+ community throughout history has changed drastically over time, further complicating the difficulty of identifying LGBTQ+ history.
This guide was created to help with that research by providing starting points and highlighting particular resources that are likely to shed unique light on a research inquiry. As always, if you need help access or using a resource or have further research needs, please ask a librarian or email us at ask@bpl.org.
PRIDE in Boston
- "Gay pride parade on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston," Spencer Grant, 1977
Finding LGBTQ+ Materials at BPL
In the upper right corner of any bpl.org webpage, you will find a search bar where you can 
search our catalog. Under the search bar click the hyperlink "Advanced Search."
- Once in Advanced Search, scroll to the drop down menu that says "Keyword Anywhere" and change it to "Genre"
- Search in "Genre" using one or any of these search terms (this is not an exhaustive list, try any term or phrase you would like): LGBT, LGTBQ, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer
- If using more than one term, select the "Add Another" link underneath the search bar or type all words separated by a space in one search bar
- If you want to search for items that have any of these terms, change "ALL" to "ANY" in the drop down menu. Searching "ALL" will exclude items that do not include every term included.
What doesn't this search achieve?
If you are looking specifically for LGBTQ+ authors, this search may not suffice. There is no way to search our catalog for only LGBTQ+ authors. However, BPL librarians have created numerous booklists for LGBTQ+ materials.
What is Digital Commonwealth?
Digital Commonwealth provides access to thousands of digitized images, documents, and sound recordings. Boston Public Library manages DC and is also a member institution. See DC's About page to learn more about who contributes materials.
How do I search for materials in Digital Commonwealth?
Option 1: Directly from bpl.org. On any webpage on bpl.org there is a search bar. Change the dropdown menu from "Catalog" to "Digital Commonwealth" enter keywords, and hit enter.
Option 2: Go to digitalcommonwealth.org. In the search bar, enter your keywords.
Which Subject terms will unveil the LGBTQ+ materials I'm looking for?
Make use of DC's Subject terms. As an example, try searching "LGBT". The menu on the left automatically lists Subject terms used by Digital Commonwealth. All terms are hyperlinked for easy searching.
What is Special Collections?
Special Collections manages BPL's rare, distinctive, and culturally significant materials. They have different finding aids, in addition to our regular catalog, that will help users discover their materials.
How Do I Find LGBTQ+ Materials in Special Collections?
Search bpl.org: Items in SC are noted in our regular
catalog. The first clue you will get after running a search will be to "Request an Item" (see right).
Archives: BPL archival collections are not fully described. Try searching different Subject headings, or make use of this list of Subject Headings.
Arts Collection: Search here to find works of art, documentary photography, original musical scores and so much more. Use the Subject search box to narrow down to LGBTQ+ subjects. For example, typing "Gay" automatically narrows the options to include "Gay Rights" and "Gays", amongst others.
Ask Special Collections: Due to the age and amount of items in Special Collections, many items are not findable using online catalogs. Librarians are happy to help you find LGBTQ+ materials! Email ask@bpl.org for more help or use this form: bpl.org/have-a-question-about-our-special-collections
What is the Internet Archive?
The Internet Archive is a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, they provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, people with print disabilities, and the general public. IA has a scan center located at the BPL's Central Library. BPL has been working closely with the IA since 2007.
How Do I Find Boston LGBTQ+ Materials on IA?
Organizations have their own webpage on IA. Here are the pages f
or Boston Public Library, The Boston Library Consortium, and Regional Digitization in Massachusetts. Type in the "Search this collection" box to search within a specific collection. Try various LGBTQ+ terms and see what you find (example to the right)! This same search process is applicable for searching all of IA, but going through these organizations will significantly narrow your search results.
A Brief Intro to Orientation & Identity
Humans have a variety of sexual orientations (gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, queer, etc.) and gender identities (cisgender, transgender, agender, genderqueer, third gender, etc.). Our society is learning to recognize and respect these different identities, but the resources here should help you get started. Below are some basic questions and definitions to help identify the basics of sexual and gender identity and expression.
What does QUILTBAG mean?
QUILTBAG is an acronym for Queer/Questioning, Undecided, Intersex, Lesbian, Transgender/Transsexual, Bisexuals, Allied/Asexual, Gay/Genderqueer. As with any collection of terms, it is always evolving. QUILTBAG is fun because it spells out a word, but people are just as likely to use LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQIA, MOGAI, and a whole host of others.
What is sexual orientation?
Sexual orientation is defined as a person’s sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted; the fact of being heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual. This is separate from their gender identity or gender expression.
What is gender identity?
The term “gender identity” is distinct from the term “sexual orientation” and refers to a person’s innate, deeply felt psychological identification as a man, woman, transgender, agender, nonbinary, or other gender, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth (i.e., the sex listed on their birth certificate).
Why use the word "queer" when it used to be a slur?
Sometimes marginalized groups work to reclaim a term used as a slur as a way of feeling empowered and taking power away from bigots. Community opinion on this varies and some people prefer to avoid a term that has caused pain.