Archival Documents
Dyke TV was founded in 1993 by Ana Maria Simo, Linda Chapman, and Mary Patierno. This program revolutionized television by providing an exclusive platform for the LGBTQ+ community. At a time when lesbian voices were often marginalized or misrepresented in mainstream media, Dyke TV provided a platform for authentic storytelling. The project’s mission was to transform television by focusing on the experiences, perspectives and issues that are faced within the community. Through a diverse range of content from art, news, politics, and culture, Dyke TV aimed to challenge stereotypes, discrimination and to promote a greater understanding. Dyke TV’s commitment to amplifying lesbian voices wasn’t just about entertainment, but also in activism and social change.
Dyke TV reached millions of households nationwide, its impact allowed for individuals to embrace their identities to work towards a more inclusive society. Unfortunately, the program stopped broadcasting in 2005, but its legacy reminds us of the importance that representation has on communities.
Lesbian Herstory Archives T-Shirt Collection
Each shirt within our curated collection is cataloged, ensuring easy access through a searchable database. Our records capture every single detail, events, organizations, and even subject matter. From style and color to print design, donor information, designer and historical context, we’ve documented it all.
Protected in acid-free tissue paper within carefully organized boxes, our collection is its own visual showcase using binders filled with photographs. Visitors can easily explore the diversity of our shirts. Many of our shirts feature handmade prints that show stories and moments of significance, commemorating iconic events like the Dyke March and the World Lesbian and Gay Conference to celebrate gay music festivals and political activism, each shirt is a wearable piece of history. Spanning from 1970 to 2018, our collection embodies the evolution of lesbian identity, offering a glimpse into the past and the present. These shirts not only reflect who we are but also serve as reminders of the journeys we’ve taken as a community.
Our organizational files encompasses materials from around 2,000 volunteer organizations in the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on Lesbian and feminist groups. These materials are stored in alphabetical order, filling three vertical five-drawer filing cabinets.
These organizations range from The Black Lesbian Study Group to The Lesbian Resource Center in Seattle, WA. The files include materials like flyers, minutes, posters, fundraising letters, and newspaper articles, documenting the activities and history of these organizations. Some files date back to the 1950s, including records from the Daughters of Bilitis, with contributions up to recent years like the Revolting Lesbians in NY in 2018. Digitization of these files began in 2019–2020 for online accessibility through the Gale Cengage "Archives of Sexuality and Gender."