IHLIA LGBTI Heritage, LGBTI archive and documentation center in Oosterdok, Netherlands
IHLIA LGBTI Heritage is an archive and documentation center that holds over 100,000 books, journals, films, posters, and personal archives spread across 1,500 meters of shelf space. The collection focuses on the history and experiences of LGBTI people in the Netherlands and abroad.
The archive was founded in 1999 when three separate organizations merged: Homodok, the Lesbian Archives of Leeuwarden, and Lesbisch Archief Amsterdam. This combination created one of Europe's most complete LGBTI collections.
The collection shows how LGBTI people in the Netherlands and beyond lived and expressed themselves through their own words and creativity. You can find personal stories, magazines, and artwork that reflect the lives of these communities across different eras.
The reading room is on the third floor of Amsterdam Public Library, where staff can help you navigate the collection. Before visiting, check the opening hours and access requirements for the archive.
The archive holds Der Eigene magazine from 1896, one of the earliest homosexual periodicals ever recorded. This rare material offers a window into early gay publishing and activism across Europe.
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