Subject Files in cabinet at SMA.
The SMA holds tens of thousands of Subject File materials, divided into subcategories by sexual orientation or gender minority group. Subject File groupings currently include “Bisexuals and…,” “Lesbians and…,” “Gays and…,” “Trans and…,” ”Intersex and …,” and Leather/BDSM and ….” Each section also includes subject files by and about People of Color.
Each subject area and file contains an assortment of papers, including flyers, legal briefs, position papers, and original newspaper clippings, photocopies of newspaper articles, copies of books, event programs, photographs, and more. Subject Files give you a good introduction to, and overview of a topic and point you towards other parts of the SMA’s collections if you want more depth. Materials archived in Subject Files have been gathered from national and international sources. One special grouping within Subject Files documents Northampton, Massachusetts LGBTQI history by year, from 1968 to the present. Please review the guides to the list of Subject File names within each of these sections:
Sexual Minorities Archives 