In the last episode, Megan shared the lives of #PearlMHart and #HenryGerber - two pioneers of #queerrights in the US, both with local ties to Chicago, Illinois.

Now, in their very*first*interview, Megan and Thomas meet up with Michael Rashid, the Development Manager for the @gerberhart Gerber/Hart Library and Archives as it celebrates its 45th year to learn about the Midwest's largest circulating library of #LGBTQIA2SPlus titles, and one of the largest archives of its kind. In this episode, we'll hear all about some of the fascinating lives chronicled in the many boxes of the archive, intergenerational community building, the necessity for #BIPOCvoices, the importance of preserving physical copy, their amazing podcast #unboxingqueerhistory , what it means to be a non-governmentally funded queer library and archive under the current political regime and that, as Michael says, "everybody's life is worth remembering." Listen now where you get your podcasts!

images:
1 Gerber/Hart LGBTQ+ Library & Archives
2 Gerber/Hart LGBTQ+ Library & Archives exterior
3 Look at that handsome mug! It's Michael Rashid!
4 Unboxing Queer History - the Gerber/Hart podcast!
5 Unboxing Queer History
6 The Gay Chicago Directory from the archives
7 Collage of the Gerber/Hart collection
8 Out in the Streets exhibition
9 Gerber/Hart Pride 2025
10 Megan & The Lips! New Chicago indie band alert!

#lgbtqia2splushistory #lgbthistory #lesbianhistory #bihistory #gayhistory #transhistory #pansexual #queerhistory #queerhistorypodcast #theseoldqueers