London gets LGBT news archive

The Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive (LAGNA) moves today from its present location at Middlesex University, to the Bishopsgate Institute, London. The move comes because the campus at Middlesex where LAGNA is based is closing in June 2011 and the Bishopsgate Institute has offered the Archive a new home.

Despite the name, LAGNA is the UK’s only national independent LGBT archive. It now holds nearly 200,000 press cuttings from the non-gay press. The collection reflects many aspects of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-related life from the late nineteenth century onwards and is used by a wide range of researchers interested in cultural, political and social LGBT history.

Robert Thompson, Chair of LAGNA commented: “We’re delighted about our move from the outskirts of north London to Bishopsgate Institute’s more central location in the City. We especially look forward to the exhibitions and seminars we’ll be able to put on in Bishopsgate’s wonderful building. We anticipate a long and fruitful partnership and the continuing development of the collection for current and future generations.”