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Wednesday 6pm - 9pm Thursday 6pm - 9pm Friday 12pm - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Gerber Hart Library and Archives

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Gerber Hart Library and Archives

Gerber/Hart is an LGBTQ library and archives - one of the largest such organizations in the United States.

02/2021 - Gerber/Hart is resuming its regular hours of operation for walk-in patrons and for viewing exhibits. Researchers (those making use of archives collections, periodicals, or items from Special Collections) should still make appointments by emailing [email protected]. Hours of operation are Wednesdays and Thursday 6-9 p.m., Fridays 12 noon-4 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Gerber/Ha

rt Library and Archives was founded in 1981 to be a depository for the records of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified (LGBTQ) individuals and organizations, and for other resources bearing upon their lives and experiences in American society. Gerber/Hart Library and Archives has since grown into being the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ circulating library with over 14,000 volumes, 800 periodical titles, and 100 archival collections. Hosting various programs and events that support its beliefs that knowledge is the key to dispelling homophobia and that affirming information about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons is critical to fostering pride and self confidence, Gerber/Hart Library and Archives seeks to not only preserve and protect items of LGBT individuals and organizations, but to be a conduit for change. Recently relocated in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, Gerber/Hart Library and Archives serves the research and recreational reading needs of the Chicago metro area and the Midwest, and through participation in the Interlibrary Loan program, people throughout the U.S.

09/08/2026

Tickets now on sale! Snag them today here
https://gerberhart.org/q***r-history-symposium-at-gerber-hart-3/

Swipe for a preview of this year’s panels - full speaker lineup coming soon!
Kick off LGBTQ+ History Month with a full day of Q***r History! Join us on Saturday October 3rd for Ge**er/Hart’s 3rd Q***r History Symposium from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Center on Halsted!
Standard tickets are $60. Subsidized tickets (intended for students and lower income patrons) available for $40. All tickets include lunch, coffee/drinks, breakfast pastries, a specially designed tote bag, and access to the full day of speakers.
Opening remarks from Jack Schneider, curator of “City in a Garden: Q***r Art and Activism in Chicago” from the MCA. Closing remarks by historian John D’Emilio.
This year’s panels include:
Q***rs on the Road: Road trips, travel, & social media then & now - how we travel and get the word out!
Arts & the Archives: From Le***an Nuns to Minor White
Archival Gaps & Silences: What we don’t know about q***r history and what to do about it
Archival Sleuthing: Q***r Histories from Ge**er/Hart’s Collections
Ticket prices are set to allow us to cover costs for this event (honorariums for speakers and provide lunch, coffee, and other amenities throughout the day) as well as to raise money to continue our mission of collecting, preserving, and making accessible the LGBTQ+ history of Chicago and the Midwest.
We hope to see you at this year’s Q***r History Symposium!
***rhistorysymposium

09/07/2026

Thursday!
Join us at Ge**er/Hart this Thursday, September 10th, at 5:30 PM for an author talk with Elizabeth Hoover and Noa Micaela Fields discussing poetry and archival discovery.
Elizabeth will be reading from the archive is all in present tense, her book-length love poem to q***r archiving practices, and her new project based on archival research about the pioneering q***r photographer and N**i resister Claude Cahun. Noa will be reading from her 2026 book E, mischievous mishearings and homophonic translations that remix a classic of 20th Century American poetry.
Copies of both books will be available for sale from Women & Children First Books.
See you Thursday!
Elizabeth Hoover Noa Fields Women & Children First.

09/04/2026

It's hard to believe that this month we're celebrating 45 years as Chicago's independent, non-profit LGBTQ+ library and archives!

The Sapphire Gayla will be our largest fundraiser to date, and if you want to participate but can't make the event, this is your last chance to donate items to our auction and raffle. Gift cards, merchandise, gift baskets, tickets, services – all are greatly appreciated!

Be a part of the q***r history and community that has supported our mission of serving Chicago and the greater Midwest by collecting, preserving, and making LGBTQ+ history and literature accessible to all.

Your support ensures continued operations and expanded accessibility now, and into the future. Join the many wonderful businesses that are sponsoring the event and/or supplying auction items by reaching out to us over email at [email protected] 💎

💙 All sponsorship tiers are still available and range from $20,000 to $1,000.
***rHistory ***rArchives **erHart The Joffrey Ballet Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Thalia Hall Rattleback Records First Ascent Climbing CircaModern Vivent Health Lambda Legal Windy City Times Chicago Social Butterflies

09/01/2026

It’s September! Here’s where you can find Ge**er/Hart this month!
On Thursday 9/10 stop by Ge**er/Hart for a beautiful event about poetry and archival discovery with Elizabeth Hoover and Noa Micaela Fields - copies of both poet’s books will be available for sale from Women & Children First! (Elizabeth Hoover Noa Fields Women & Children First)
Saturday 9/12 join Ace Book Club virtually or in-person at Ge**er/Hart as they discuss Nothing Wanting by KJ Cerankowski! (Kate 👔📚🤓)
Sunday 9/20 we’ll be co-presenting a beautiful short film series at Reeling Film Fest! Get your tickets to Memento Vivere at the link in our bio! (Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival 🌈)
On 9/24 come celebrate 45 years of Ge**er/Hart at the Sapphire Gayla at Rockwell on the River! Snag your tickets today and help support our next 45 years!
On 9/27 we’ll be partnering with Read & Run Chicago on their first true crime event at Haymarket House with author Gera-Lind Kolarik. Join to learn about 1980s Chicago leather culture, Uptown neighborhood history, and how Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community came together to alert each other to serial killer Larry Eyler well before he was found by the police (Read & Run Chicago™️ HaymaRead & Run Chicago™️nHaymarket House’ll be bringing materials to a screening of Playing with Fire: An Ecosexual Emergency with Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens at the Music Box Theatre! (Music Box Theatre Annie SpMusic Box TheatreeAnnie SprinkleaBeth Stephensatgerberhart

08/31/2026

Join us at Reeling Film Festival this year!
Ge**er/Hart is so excited to be co-presenting the Shorts Program: Memento Vivere on Sunday September 20th at 12:15 PM at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema.
It is important to remember, especially now, that Q***r Life is not new, it is not a fad or a phase, and it is eternal; memento vivere—remember life, remember to live. These shorts remind us where we came from and who we have to thank for our progress; our q***r ancestors and our friends.
Join us for five beautiful short films:
HERE, Q***R AND ON TV (dir. Cassandra Herrman, Kelly Whalen; U.S.) Here, Q***r, and On TV
PLENUM (dir. Charlene A. Carruthers; U.S.) Charlene A. Carruthers, PhD
THE GLORIA! PROJECT (dir. Kelly Burkhardt, Kemar Jewel; U.S.) THE GLORIA! PROJECT
ONCE UPON THREE FEMISITES (dir. Regner Ramos, Josh Anton, José Vélez-Arocho; Puerto Rico) Cüirtopia ®!(꒪ꇴ꒪|||)
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANS ELDERS (dir. Ashton Culp; Canada)
Reeling Film Festival ( ) is the second longest-running film festival of its kind, and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films and videos each year. Check out their full lineup and get your tickets to Memento Vivere at the link in our bio!

08/30/2026

Wonderful visit from Chicago Women's History Center today!

08/29/2026

Today at 1! Join Ge**er/Hart’s Play Reading Club from 1 PM – 3 PM as we read along to Last Summer at Bluefish Cove by Jane Chambers (1980). We’ll divvy up the roles, read aloud, and have a short discussion after.
A few copies of the script will be available for use, but please bring a phone, laptop, or other device to read the online .pdf if you can!
The elevator is located at the end of the hallway (past the Howard Brown front desk), and Ge**er/Hart’s Raffety/Tran Community Room is just outside the elevator doors through the hallway on your right.
Learn more about the play in these images or at our website!
See you soon!

08/28/2026

Unearthing archival treasures!
Volunteers Roland and Sharon are pictured here with a steamer trunk from the William B. Kelley and Chen K. Ooi collection.
William B. Kelley was a pioneering gay rights activist for over 50 years. This trunk, with attached ticket from 1960, was from his early days in Chicago. Bill was an early member of Mattachine Midwest writing and editing its newsletter. In addition, he organized the first National Gay and Le***an Conference (1966), co-founded the Chicago Gay Crusader newspaper and Illinois G**s for Legislative Action (early 1970s), attended the first White House gay rights meeting (1977), co-chaired the Illinois Gay Rights Task Force (late 1970s), and co-founded the National Le***an Law Association (1988).
Bill’s collection was donated to Ge**er/Hart after his death in 2015 by his partner Chen K. Ooi. His collection contains incredible records of LGBTQ+ activism in Chicago and has served as a critically important resources to researchers. The collection is the largest in Ge**er/Hart’s archives at over 250 linear feet. Learn more about Bill Kelley and his lifetime of activism in Season 1 of our podcast Unboxing Q***r History.
Sharon will be processing these items in the coming weeks, and we can’t wait to share more treasures with visitors to Ge**er/Hart.

08/27/2026

Save the date! We are so excited to announce Ge**er/Hart’s third Q***r History Symposium on Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 AM to 4 PM!
Like last year, this full day symposium will highlight artists, researchers, students, and community members who have utilized Ge**er/Hart’s collections in the past year.
This year, we’ll be moving to a much larger venue: the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at the Center on Halsted!
Opening remarks from Jack Schneider, curator of “City in a Garden: Q***r Art and Activism in Chicago” from the MCA. Closing remarks by historian John D’Emilio. Panel discussions on Arts in the Archives, Archival Silences, Q***r Road Trips, and more!
Full Schedule to come soon! Tickets will go on sale next week and are limited and on a sliding scale basis. Lunch and coffee provided. We’ve sold out the last two years so make sure to pounce once tickets go on sale next week!
This project was supported by a Community Partnership Programming Blaze Grant from Center on Halsted (Center on Halsted )
More details to come soon - we can’t wait to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with you!
***rhistorysymposium ***rhistory

Address

Chicago, IL

Opening Hours

Wednesday	6pm - 9pm
Thursday	6pm - 9pm
Friday	12pm - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+17733818030

Website

http://www.gerberhart.org/

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