The Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives collects many artifacts that would normally be found in museums -- not "records" in any formal sense, but that nonetheless capture particular moments in history. Among them: pennants, pins, mugs, matchbooks, games, uniforms, and toys.
On the back cover of the April 1990 issue of its newsletter, then called Gay Archivist, the Archives noted its interest "in collecting all sorts of material relating to lesbian and gay life, both in Canada and abroad. We collect:
"books ... personal papers ... mailboxes
pamphlets ... group records ... balloons
newspapers ... videos ... condoms
periodicals ... films ... banners
photographs ... audio tapes ... pennants
postcards ... records ... caps
original art ... buttons ... T-shirts
posters ... pins ... tatting
calendars ... matchbooks ... mugs
stamps ... amusing toys ... decals"
The next issue of Gay Archivist, Number 10, June 1991, explained why the [then] Canadian Gay Archives had a special interest in such objects:
"Not only is the Canadian Gay Archives a "total archives" [housing material beyond records on paper], it actively acquires those highly visual symbols of lesbian and gay pride, especially buttons, T-shirts, and banners, that would normally be found in museums if they documented heterosexual activities."
Among the odd and wonderful artifacts highlighted over the years in the Archives' newsletter are: a baseball uniform from Toronto's Cabbagetown Group Softball League; decals used on condom machines in the 1960s (heterosexual but too fun to pass up); and a party game called "Pin the Macho on the Man."
There are buttons and badges recalling political battles over more than two decades; T-shirts emblazoned with the names of groups and events around the world; banners that headed historic demonstrations; a shoulder bag from an international AIDS conference; a lamp from Toronto's St. Charles Tavern; a rubber dinosaur -- and a teddy bear.
Each tells a story: that mailbox noted above, for example (a little plastic one covered with gay stickers), came from an activist who had similarly decorated a real Canada Post box -- and was arrested for "defacing the Queen's property."
Artifacts are specially stored at the Archives, not often seeing the light of day except as part of exhibits and displays. But if you visit, Archives volunteers would be glad to show you items you may be interested in.