Qualitative Findings
Why aren't forms and graphs enough?
The history we studied is extremely varied. The LGBTQ+ lives, sexualities, and gender expressions included in the history can be fluid, existing outside of traditional roles, and hard to define. This is often what makes Queer life so fascinating and free. However, this is also what can make it hard to slot into designated categories and quantitative data.
In addition, the process of finding and accessing resources was different each time, and again hard to describe in numbers.
We have included a qualitative portion of the project to account for these issues. Below you will find accounts of qualitative findings on the accessibility of information. Additionally, we have highlighted a few unique stories within the resources whos complexities we could not do justice with quantitative data.
Researchers Experiences: Accessing the Archives
Researchers Discoveries:
Unique Stories Within the Archives
Some final thoughts
Through utilising both quantitative and qualitative information in our process, we are able to create a more developed picture of the current state of UK archives. Our dual focuses have allowed us to illustrate and understand the divisions in LGBTQ+ archives, as we have recorded how the history of ethnic minorities and minorities within the queer community as well as the history of lower-class queer people has more barriers to it and less support in preserving it.
By conducting a mostly online study we have been able to access material at the same level as most of the general public, and while our research is not a complete archive of all deposits of LGBTQ+ history, through approaching the most popular archives first we have established a strong sense of what queer history the British public is predominantly exposed to.
We can therefore say that the current state of British LGBTQ+ archives is narrow in its most easily accessible form, but there exists a wide range of sources from different sexualities, gender identities, ethnicities and class identities. There is ultimately a division between what exists and what is shown, which we believe should be sutured through more diverse elements being incorporated into existing archives and more support for smaller archives. In the case of Manchester, we think there is a strong basis for developing a larger and more accessible archive of LGBTQ+ history based in the city, either online or in person.
To develop this project further, research into existing archives could continue with a larger research team, which would make this archive a useful index of LGBTQ+ research resources for future researchers, but also the general public.