The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston

The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston, Nonprofit Organization, 565 Boylston Street, Boston, MA.
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Queer History Boston (formerly The History Project) is an independent not-for-profit organization that documents, preserves, and shares the history of Boston's LGBTQ+ communities.

Due to rain and plumbing issues on Georges Island, this LGBTQ+ Picnic scheduled for 8/23/26 will now take place on Sunda...
08/21/2026

Due to rain and plumbing issues on Georges Island, this LGBTQ+ Picnic scheduled for 8/23/26 will now take place on Sunday, 9/6/26, which is Labor Day Weekend!

If you can no longer attend, please cancel your order to make space for others!

Thank you for your patience! We hope to see you on Sunday 9/6/26 at the same time: 11:30am!

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Routes of Pride map The History Project created in 2001, Public Histor...
08/18/2026

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Routes of Pride map The History Project created in 2001, Public History intern Fiona Charlson took on the task of updating it and making an accompanying zine.

We are debuting these tonight at the West End Museum!

Through research into 55 years of Boston Pride celebrations, she uncovered that there has been 10 different routes, cancelled parades, shifting neighborhoods of acceptance, places where the community demanded change, and how the growing visibility of q***r folks impacted the community in Boston.

Credits:
Written by Fiona Charlson
Designed by Enzo Nguyen
Map by Sebastian Belfanti
Printed by Flash Print

Reader(s):
Matisse Dupont, Jaydie Halperin, Joan Ilacqua, Enzo Nguyen, Emily Silk, Izzy Astuto, Linor Fernandez Alesina, Toni Armstrong.

Special Thanks to Mark Krone, Libby Bouvier, the Public History Committee, The West End Museum and everyone who has helped preserve Boston’s Q***r History!

A Photo of the 2001 “Routes of Pride” poster worn by Martha Pellegrino!We better see you tomorrow at the Footage Screeni...
08/17/2026

A Photo of the 2001 “Routes of Pride” poster worn by Martha Pellegrino!

We better see you tomorrow at the Footage Screening over at The West End Museum ! We will have an updated 25th anniversary edition of the Route of Pride map… with an accompanying zine!

You won’t want to miss this! Get your tickets now 🎟️

Boston Pride Route Map, 1996Screen archival footage of Boston’s 1988 Pride March. Plus: Routes of Pride presentation & c...
08/12/2026

Boston Pride Route Map, 1996

Screen archival footage of Boston’s 1988 Pride March. Plus: Routes of Pride presentation & community gathering with snacks and crafts.

Join The West End Museum and Q***r History Boston for a special look at archival footage, community storytelling, and celebration. Watch a video documentation of the 1988 Boston Pride March in this casual event with snacks, 80s tunes, crafts, and community.
In 1988, Boston’s Pride March took to the streets with speeches, music, and voices that shaped the movement. The theme of the year was “Rightfully Proud” and featured the symbol of q***r liberation in Boston: The Lavender Rhino. This screening invites you to witness that moment, hear those voices, and connect with the local q***r history of Boston.

Before the screening, discuss the Routes of Pride — QHB’s poster from the 2000s exploring how Boston’s Pride marches changed over the decades and why those shifts matter. What routes did they march? What do those changes tell us about the city’s q***r geography? Join us for a short talk unpacking this history. Bring your craft work in progress or use complimentary craft supplies in this informal screening and gathering.

Thanks to our exclusive sponsors MA250 and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
This event is made possible in part by the Institutue of Museums and Library Services.

President Diana Gazzolo once famously said “We ride until our tanks are dry and our bladders can’t take another mile.”Ou...
08/11/2026

President Diana Gazzolo once famously said “We ride until our tanks are dry and our bladders can’t take another mile.”

Our newest Out of the Archives blog post takes a look at Moving Violations Motorcycle Club, Boston’s oldest Motorcycle Club for Q***r Women.

Huge thanks to Fiona Charlson for writing this piece!

When someone mentions q***r women and motorcycles, or even pride parades, many think of the revving engines of the q***r women who lead the parades each year. Commonly used as a phrase to refer to q***r women on motorcycles, ‘D**es on Bikes’ (DOB) is actually an international club and non-profit for... well... d***s on bikes. While DOB does not have a chapter in Boston, the city has their own version: The Moving Violations Motorcycle Club. Their rumbling signifies unapologetic authenticity, freedom, and fellowship among q***r women.

This story is the newest post of Out of the Archives, a new blog from Q***r History Boston where our Public History Committee digs into items from our collections and shares short, accessible deep dives into Boston’s LGBTQ+ history.

🔗 Read the full story on our website!

Mike’s Custom Leather, supplying leather lovers across Boston!(year and maker unknown)Collection Number: 205. Box Number...
08/06/2026

Mike’s Custom Leather, supplying leather lovers across Boston!

(year and maker unknown)

Collection Number: 205. Box Number: 10
LGBTQ+ Boston Button and Pin Collection

Thanks Katie for this find!

Were you there? Have a story to share? Drop a comment below or email us at info@q***rhistoryboston.org!

This panel of the Names Project AIDS quilt celebrates the life of Michael O’Leary (1949-1986), a member of Men of All Co...
08/05/2026

This panel of the Names Project AIDS quilt celebrates the life of Michael O’Leary (1949-1986), a member of Men of All Colors Together Boston- the Boston chapter of the National Asssociation of Black and White Men Together. Men of All Colors Together Boston was founded in 1980, and was the oldest in*******al gay group on the East Coast. This quilt panel is seen here with George Nolly, co-chair of Men of All Colors Together Boston.

📸 Laura Wulf

Coll. 104 Gay Community News Photograph Collection

Were you there? Have a story to share? Drop a comment below or email us at info@q***rhistoryboston.org!

The cover of Gender Q***r Magazine, containing an interview with Gunner Scott, creator of Gender Crash and Butch D**e Bo...
08/04/2026

The cover of Gender Q***r Magazine, containing an interview with Gunner Scott, creator of Gender Crash and Butch D**e Boy Productions.

Gunner Scott

Coll. 63: Gender Crash Collection

Were you there? Have a story to share? Drop a comment below or email us at info@q***rhistoryboston.org

On March 1, 1969, the Vikings MC was founded, becoming the first motorcycle club for gay and bisexual men in Boston, and...
08/03/2026

On March 1, 1969, the Vikings MC was founded, becoming the first motorcycle club for gay and bisexual men in Boston, and among the few in the country.

Our newest Out of the Archives blog post takes a look at The Vikings Motorcycle Club.

Huge thanks to Fiona Charlson for writing this piece!

LGBTQ+ leather and motorcycle clubs were founded to help foster community, camaraderie, and safety among q***r men who are often ostracized in mainstream groups; making LGBTQ+ motorcycle clubs some of the oldest q***r organizations in the country.

Stay tuned for another motorcycle deep dive into Moving Violations Motorcycle Club coming your way soon!

This story is the newest post of Out of the Archives, a new blog from Q***r History Boston where our Public History Committee digs into items from our collections and shares short, accessible deep dives into Boston’s LGBTQ+ history.

🔗 Read the full story on our website!

Witness QHB’s mission to document, preserve, and share Boston’s LGBTQ+ history live and in action at this annual award c...
07/31/2026

Witness QHB’s mission to document, preserve, and share Boston’s LGBTQ+ history live and in action at this annual award ceremony and brunch!

Get Your Tickets!

Q***r History Boston invites you to The Living Archive Honors — the next chapter of what was formerly the History Maker Awards, now expanded into a five-award celebration honoring the LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations who shape our region’s past, present, and future.

At the Living Archive Honors, QHB presents five awards: The History Maker Award, The History Project Award, The Q***r Commonwealth Award, The Lavender Rhino Award, and The Lavender Laureate Award.

Honorees will be announced soon... so stay tuned!

Visit our website to learn more and get your tickets.

Event Details
▷ Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA, 02144
▷ Saturday, September 26, 2026
▷ Doors at 11:00 AM | Brunch 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Ceremony 12:00–1:30 PM | Mingling until 2:00 PM
▷ Attire: Daytime glamour is encouraged; but come as you are, baby!

While The Living Archive Honors is a fundraiser for QHB, it’s also a community event — and cost shouldn’t be a barrier to being there. If you’re not able to afford a ticket, please email info@q***rhistoryboston.org. If you’re able to pay it forward, consider getting a supporter ticket to help make that possible for others. Thank you.

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565 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
02116

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