LAGANZ - RWLF 2020 grantee
LAGANZ |Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand, Te Pūranga Takatāpui o Aotearoa (LAGANZ) were awarded funding through the 2020 round of the Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund towards establishing their ongoing digitisation project to make Aotearoa’s rainbow history more accessible for future generations.
Who is LAGANZ?
The preservation of our social and political queer history is at the heart of LAGANZ |Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand, Te Pūranga Takatāpui o Aotearoa. The collection has had a rich and varied history – like many of us!
LAGANZ trustee Elizabeth Kerekere helping promote the work of LAGANZ
The collection was born out of gay and lesbian activists working towards legislative change, an inspiring journey in Aotearoa. However, on 11 September 1986, barely two months after the successful passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (1986), the contents and the premises in Wellington of the Lesbian and Gay Rights Resource Centre (LGRRC) was attacked by arsonists.
Whilst much of the collection was saved, it was an important wake up call. It was time to consider the long term placement of the archives for its safe preservation. Conversations were started with the Alexander Turnbull Library’s Keeper of collections, Sharon Dell. In 1988 Sara Knox and Phil Parkinson were appointed the first Honorary Curators of the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand.
This culminated in a long term agreement and relationship that sees our collection under the umbrella of the Alexander Turnbull library. These collections come from a variety of individuals, activists, writers and artists and community organisations who have kept our community supported and celebrated.
Transcribathon – preserving our queer history
The process of cataloging LAGANZ material for digitisation
A Transcribathon attracted volunteers from across the country to help to digitise our existing catalogue. This is part of a broader digitisation project that the Rule Foundation has supported LAGANZ to implement.
We have regular Thursday night zooms for volunteers engaged in transcribing, metadata and all things pertaining to the digital preservation of our collection.
We welcome more Friends of LAGANZ and look forward to an ongoing relationship with the Rule Foundation.
Further links
Learn more about LAGANZ and it’s history here.
Learn more about LAGANZ through the Alexander Turnbull Library here.
