Wearing Gay History started out as a graduate student project from George Mason University. Eric Gonzaba took the initiative to digitize a collection of LGBT themed t-shirts from several different archives. The website has a number of different goals that they wish to highlight through the digital publication of these t-shirts. However, the main goal of the project is to bring awareness to the LGBT community; in hopes that it can shed light on a somewhat ignored history. They hope to bring visibility to LGBT groups outside LGBT hubs such as San Francisco and New York.
The founders contribute a large number of digital goods, which is used to display an impressive number of LGBT themed shirts. Shirts can be found through a slick user interface by a simple click of a t-shirt button found near the top of the web page. If the user were to click on a t-shirt they would be welcomed with information on that t-shirt. Once the desired shirt is found, it contains a picture of that shirt and a geological location of where that shirt was worn. This is where this web site really excels. As it offers a glimpse of where these shirts originate from, to give the user a wider glimpse of the magnitude of the LGBT community around the world. However, after some digging around, it seems that the information displayed here does not really give insight into the LGBT history. For example, let’s say a user were to click on the Roze Front 1982 Amersfoort t-shirt, the web page contains a picture of the shirt and very little information on the historical importance of the shirt. Considering one of the goals of this graduate project was to shed light on a hidden history of LGBT communities around the world; It would seem like they dropped the ball when it comes to actually show the historical importance of all the shirts. After a couple of google searches later it seemed apparent that the importance of this t-shirt was due to its connection to an event called pink Saturday. Pink Saturday is a Dutch gay pride parade that takes place every year. One of the purposes of digital content is for the convenience of the user, it allows for users to quickly gather information within a convenient location for the user.
“Roze Front 1982 Amersfoort,” Wearing Gay History, accessed January 29, 2019, http://wearinggayhistory.com/items/show/4675.
The t-shirt map is a wonderful addition to the Wearing Gay History website. It is easily found, and accessible for the user to access. The use of a geographic information system (GIS), allows for users to easily see which t-shirts belong to which areas around the world. Users can search for a t-shirt by clicking on shirts on the side of the map. The really interesting part about this feature is the ability to easily explore the map. Investigating the map, reviled that eighteen shirts that are found, are located in Saskatchewan. Which is really quite interesting, considering how small Saskatchewan is compared to other places around the world. Mapping the actual geographic location, of the t-shirts really help visualize the actual number of all the t-shirts around the world. It puts into perspective the vast number of LGBT communities that exist in different parts of the world.
“Dignity Canada Dignite,” Wearing Gay History, accessed January 29, 2019, http://wearinggayhistory.com/items/show/3853.
The t-shirt map is only one way to search for objects. The search engine that is used on the website is also impressive as it allows for users to quickly search different shirts. The user can refine their search by a number of different and precise conditions when searching for a specific item. The website also allows for browsing by tag, the web site has a list of different terms to help define and narrow searching. For example, if a user wanted to search for the term HIV & AIDS which is the biggest tag to search by, the search would display a variety of different shirts. Examining the shirts by tag purposes the question, why is there so many shirts that fit into the HIV & AIDS tag? A logical answer to this question would imply that shirts with HIV themes are really big issues within the LGBT community. One of the reasons why fashion exists is to try and distinguish ourselves from each other. The point of fashion is to be unique, there is a reason why the term, fashion statement, exists; it is to state a point that is being made. Homophobia is linked to HIV, the shirts in the HIV section speak a story of trying to combat this negative perspective of HIV and LGBT communities.
The wearing gay history website is an interesting history project which successfully brings attention to the users the presence of LGBT communities around the world. The website has an impressive number of t-shirts which are recorded through the means of digital technology. With the aid of GIS technology, the data that is recorded on this site could lead to new historical questions surrounding LGBT history.
“Action = Life,” Wearing Gay History, accessed January 29, 2019, http://wearinggayhistory.com/items/show/4649. HIV & AIDS themed t-shirt.
Bibliography
- Gonzaba, Eric, Nolan. “Wearing Gay History.”Accessed Januray 28th, 2019. http://wearinggayhistory.com/.