As part of Pride Month, the collection makes LGBTQ+ stories more accessible to researchers, students, and the public
June 2026 – Drew University Special Collections and University Archives is proud to announce the launch of a new digitized collection on JSTOR Digital Stewardship, offering access to a rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ stories. Curated from diverse archival materials, the collection provides historical insight into LGBTQ+ experiences, identities, and contributions across time.
The project was spearheaded by Amelia Wohlrob, Special Collections intern, who was inspired to create the collection after discovering an engraving of Eliza Walstein, also known as Lavinia Edwards, a 19th-century English actress who was assigned male at birth and lived her adult life as a woman. Learning more about her story sparked a deeper exploration of LGBTQ+ voices within the archives and the importance of making those histories more accessible.
“The creation of a digital collection of LGBTQ+ stories in Special Collections and Archives is more important than ever,” said Wohlrob. “At a time when people’s human rights are at stake, we need to be active in sharing real stories and highlighting the existence of queer people throughout history.”
The collection includes personal accounts, magazine articles, satirical comics, books, poetry, and other materials that reflect both the challenges and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history.
Designed to serve students, scholars, community members, and allies alike, the collection supports a wide range of research interests by making LGBTQ+ stories and historical materials more accessible. “The stories are out there, and now we have a place to find them,” said Woltrob.
