What is an archival gap?
An archival gap is a gap in the historical record caused by the absence of records that document a particular event, person, or group. This can happen for various reasons, such as deliberate destruction or omission, loss due to natural disaster, or simply because they were never created in the first place.
Why are archival gaps important for queer histories?
Archival gaps can be especially problematic for preserving, interpreting, and transmitting queer histories, as there may be fewer primary sources available to draw upon. The history of queer people has often been marginalized or suppressed by dominant cultures and institutions, which may have resulted in deliberate attempts to destroy or erase evidence of their existence.
Many early queer activists' writings were destroyed during police raids on gay bars or private residences.
Many queer individuals lived underground lives and may have left few traces behind them. As a result, it becomes more difficult to understand their experiences and contributions to society without these records.
How do archival gaps impact research on queer histories?
Without access to adequate documentation, scholars may have difficulty understanding the full scope of queer life and culture. They may also rely too heavily on secondary sources, which can lead to biased or incomplete interpretations.
The lack of physical evidence makes it challenging to verify or corroborate claims about queer lives and events, which can call into question the credibility of research findings. In some cases, this can even limit our ability to study specific aspects of queer history altogether.
Can anything be done to fill in archival gaps?
Yes! One approach is to engage in community-based participatory research, whereby members of communities with untold stories come together to collectively document their experiences. This can involve interviews, oral histories, photography, video, and other methods. Another option is to use alternative sources such as newspapers, magazines, diaries, letters, and memoirs, which may contain information about underrepresented groups or topics that mainstream historical documents overlook.
Archivists and curators can work collaboratively with communities to identify and preserve at-risk materials related to marginalized histories like queerness.