It’s been a busy time for the Ozarks Lesbian and Gay Archives! In the last few weeks Special Collections staff have attended three outreach events and held an open house, all connected to the local LGBTQ+ community. 

The Ozarks Lesbian and Gay Archives (OLGA) was established in 2003 to preserve and make accessible materials related to this region’s LGBTQ+ history and culture.  Starting with a few boxes of newsletters, photos, event programs, and similar items, the Archives has grown to include donations from individuals; historic materials from local organizations, including GLO (the LGBTQ+ community center) and AIDS Project of the Ozarks (APO); Dr. Holly Baggett, faculty emeritus, donated her research collection; and over 200 people have shared their stories through the oral history program.

The recent events include meeting with students at Pride Fair, held on MSU’s campus. Staff braved a rainy day to let people know about OLGA at the first Pride in the Park held at Phelps Grove Park. The MSU Libraries sponsored a table at Springfield Black Tie. Several OLGA supporters from on- and off-campus joined us for the LGBTQ+ fundraising gala.

The 20^th anniversary of OLGA was marked with an open house in Meyer Library.  Visitors had a chance to browse materials from the collection, watch episodes of “This Gay Life,” a locally produced television program from the 1990s, and do selfies in front of the rainbow flag.  To learn more about the Ozarks Lesbian and Gay Archives contact us at 417.836.5428 or Archives@missouristate.edu.