Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame
The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame is both a historic event and an exhibit. Through the Hall of Fame, residents of Chicago and the world are made aware of the contributions of Chicago’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities and the communities’ efforts to eradicate homophobic bias and discrimination.
http://www.glhalloffame.org/
Chicago Gay History Project
An overview of people, events, and organizations that helped the Windy City become a beacon of gay progress. This Web site was conceived by Tracy Baim and is a companion to the book Out and Proud in Chicago (2008).
http://www.chicagogayhistory.org/
Chicago’s GLBT History Resources
This bibliography is a great starting point for research on ChicagoÂ’s GLBT history.
http://www.chicagogayhistory.org/resources.html
Gay Press Archives
Both full text archives and PDF files of ChicagoÂ’s GLBT newspapers, current and past, are maintained here. With a little effort, you can track down John DÂ’EmilioÂ’s articles on Chicago GLBT history.
http://www.chicagogayhistory.org/archives.html
CWLU Herstory Project
The online archive of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union, a group of Windy City women determined to challenge male supremacy through many organizing projects from 1969-1977.
http://cwluherstory.org/
Blazing Star
Among the CWLU projects was a movement for lesbian liberation, often known as Blazing Star, after the title of its newsletter.
http://www.cwluherstory.org/blazing-star.html
Gerber/Hart Library
As a library, Gerber/Hart Library is committed to acquiring, preserving, and disseminating materials that embody the culture and history of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people. As archives, Gerber/Hart Library is the repository for the records, papers, and other realia of GLBT life, focusing primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area and the Midwest.
http://www.gerberhart.org
Leather Archives & Museum
The Leather Archives & Museum is a library, museum and archives pertaining to Leather, fetishism, sadomasochism, and alternative sexual practices – and includes all sexual orientations and genders. While the geographic collection scope is worldwide, significant Chicago resources are held.
http://www.leatherarchives.org
Kris Studios of Chicago
Kris Studios, founded in 1950, was a Chicago physique pictorial photography business. Studio founder Chuck Renslow successfully defended himself against a pornography charge brought by the Postal Service, making it easier for GLBT magazines, newspapers, photosets, and films to be sent through the mail.
http://www.leatherarchives.org/kris/krisindex.htm
Online Video and Film
Films from Kris Studios and videos of Chicago leather events make up about a third of the clips available.
http://www.leatherarchives.org/collections/video-fi.htm
Queer Bronzeville : The History of African American Gays and Lesbians on ChicagoÂ’s South Side
Learn about the development (1885-1985) of queer communities in Bronzeville, an African-American neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. This exhibit was created by 2008 OutHistory.org Fellowship winner Tristan Cabello.
http://outhistory.org/wiki/Queer_Bronzeville_:_An_Overview
