Website Search
Find information on spaces, staff, and services.
Find information on spaces, staff, and services.
The Madison LGBTQ+ Archive recognizes there are materials in our collections that may be sensitive for users. While we understand that contemporary audiences might find some materials challenging, we showcase them in their original form and historical context to offer an authentic view of LGBTQ+ history. As LGBTQ+ perspectives have been historically omitted from institutions, organizations, and historical records, the access we provide to materials is invaluable to understanding and contextualizing LGBTQ+ history in Madison and Dane County, WI. UW Archives staff strive to be considerate of possible impacts on visitors and continually evaluate the ethics of preserving and circulating potentially sensitive materials. We recognize the perspectives of LGBTQ+ communities are constantly evolving and we are committed to regularly assessing our practices, procedures, and language.
We apply content notices using the guidance of best archival practices, staff expertise, and feedback from stakeholders. Additionally, we consult and rely heavily on considerations and criteria included in the Digital Transgender Archive (see Harmful and Explicit Content section). The UW Archives staff may include one or more of the categories below as part of a collection’s content notice:
We encourage your feedback and questions about content notices, so please contact us. We recognize that we may not be perfect in the practice of applying content notices, and we strive to regularly update our knowledge and these categories as appropriate.
We would like to give special thanks to ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, the Digital Transgender Archive, and the Gale Archives of Sexuality & Gender [NetID required for access]. These institutions’ content notices are thoughtful, eloquent, and in line with our institution’s values. We used several of their statements as a guide for discussion and in some instances borrowed language.