Yasmine Ba's 'Conversations with Grandma and the cultural significance of Italy's queer archives', created for Europeana's Digital Storytelling Festival Creative Online Residency.
In May-June 2023, eight participants took part in the first ever Online Creative Residency from Europeana’s Digital Storytelling Festival. They worked with mentors in animation, social media stories and new writing relating to LGBTQ+ culture and communities. Yasmine Ba chose to explore the emergence of queer archives in Italy. Read her story and find out more about Yasmine below.
Conversations with Grandma and the cultural significance of Italy's queer archives
As I sat with my Italian grandmother in her cozy kitchen, sipping espresso and engaging in our usual lively discussions, the topic of queer people in Italy came up. Despite her liberal mindset, she confessed her lack of knowledge regarding this important aspect of Italian history. As I believe that our understanding of our country’s history is mostly shaped by the archival material available to us, this conversation sparked my curiosity about the presence and significance of queer archives in Italy, where the hidden stories of the LGBTQ+ community are preserved, discredited and/or celebrated.
As a starting point, I try to highlight some interesting initiatives regarding Italy's queer archives, unearthing the cultural importance they hold in shaping our understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences.
Italy has a vibrant queer community that has faced marginalisation and neglect throughout history, especially when it comes to second-generation migrants. While queer people gained similar rights to their counterparts in other Western European countries, being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in Italy is undeniably challenging as there is a strong and persistent cultural taboo in regard to queerness.
Italian archives
The emergence of queer archives in Italy has begun to rectify the lack of dialogue surrounding the visualisation of queer people’s history and past in this country. These repositories of knowledge provide a counterbalance to mainstream narratives, elevating the diverse stories and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. By preserving the cultural, social and political history of queer individuals in Italy, these archives challenge societal norms while fostering acceptance and inclusivity.
In my quest to unearth archival material related to queer people in Italy, I encountered several notable initiatives dedicated to collecting, cataloging and preserving queer materials and artefacts. The Archivio di Stato di Firenze, nestled in the heart of Florence, houses a specialized LGBTQ+ archive that chronicles the history of the queer community in Tuscany. It is here that we discover the ’Rivolta Trans’ newspaper, a publication from the 1970s that served as a vital platform for the emerging transgender community. This historical artefact provides a glimpse into the activism, resilience and aspirations of Italian transgender individuals during a crucial period of societal change.
In the fascinating realm of archival endeavours, one project also stands out as groundbreaking in contemporary Italy - the ArchiviST* project, an initiative that aims to create the first-ever archive dedicated exclusively to the history of trans lives and activism in the country. Spearheaded by the Trans Identity Movement, Italy's most influential and enduring trans association since its inception in 1979, the project embarks on the task of documenting and preserving the counter-memories of trans and LGBTQIA+ communities, marking a significant milestone in the country's historical landscape.
As they delve into the process of ’reconstructing’ an archive in this unique context, a tapestry of questions unfolds, provoking contemplation and exploration of the intricate dynamics surrounding trans archiving and collective memories within the Italian framework.
Questions to answer
At the heart of the ArchiviST*’s reflective journey lies an interrogation of what constitutes collective memory. The interplay between trans memories and the archive's tangible documents comes under scrutiny, as they ponder the stories that have been told - or, perhaps more importantly, the stories that have been omitted. Whose voices and experiences emerge as protagonists in this archival tapestry, and whose remain obscured?
Through a reflexive lens, the ArchiviST* invites critical engagement with the practice of trans archiving, aiming to disrupt established historiographical categories and conventions. Conventional notions of time, the delineation between private and public, the complexities of political engagement, the intertwinement of life history and memory - all these facets present ethical and methodological challenges that demand our attention and reflection, reshaping the landscape of historiography and archival research at large.
By showcasing the rich tapestry of queer experiences throughout Italian history, these initiatives dismantle the fallacy that queerness is antithetical to Italian identity, particularly within the realm of masculinity and the standards upheld by Italian men. Popular culture, including cinema, has often perpetuated a narrow definition of Italian masculinity, exemplified by actors like Giuliano Gemma, whose rugged and stoic portrayals became the archetype of the macho Italian hero.
But, these archives reveal a more nuanced reality, challenging societal expectations and highlighting the presence of queer individuals who defied and reshaped the boundaries of masculinity. Pier Paolo Pasolini, the renowned filmmaker and intellectual, stands as a testament to this, his contributions to Italian cinema and literature defying traditional notions of both gender and sexuality. His unapologetic embrace of his own queerness and intellectual exploration of desire shattered preconceived notions, paving the way for a more inclusive understanding of Italian masculinity and its intersections with queerness. Through these examples, the queer archives illuminate the complexity and diversity of Italian identity, celebrating the contributions of successful gay men who have left an indelible mark on Italian culture.
In a nation where the notion of ’LGBTQ’ has long been absent, the very existence of these archival materials shatters the fallacy that Italian identity and queerness are mutually exclusive. Through the exhibition of artefacts and personal narratives, queer archives defy and interrogate deeply ingrained preconceived notions of sexuality, fostering empathy and understanding across diverse spectrums of society.
Queer archives serve also as invaluable resources for researchers, scholars and students interested in studying and understanding LGBTQ+ history and culture. These repositories facilitate academic inquiry, allowing exploration of themes such as queer activism, art, literature, and social movements. By making historical materials accessible, these institutions foster critical thinking and enrich our understanding of what the LGBTQ+ community looks like in Italy.
Challenges to address
But, challenges persist in the realm of queer archives in Italy. Limited funding and the need for digitisation and online accessibility pose ongoing obstacles, as government support for cultural projects promoting queerness in the public space remains limited. Additionally, within the archival materials, one must consider the extent to which the queer community is portrayed in its full potential. Questions arise regarding the inclusion of marginalised groups such as migrants, sex workers and non-white Italians, whose narratives deserve equal representation within the archives.
The context surrounding the presence or absence of queer artefacts in Italy is complex. Unlike countries such as Germany, Holland and France, where queer publications were available until the fall of the Weimar Republic in 1933, Italy remained an exception. A few forgotten magazines briefly aligned with movements challenging homotransphobic laws but underwent ideological transformations under fascism. The advent of fascism and Nazism effectively halted the publication of queer magazines in Italy, rendering thousands of copies unobtainable and making queerness invisible. Post-World War II, queer magazines resurfaced, adopting a scientific-anthropological focus reminiscent of turn-of-the-century journals. However, publications like Curiosa magazine faced legal trouble for disseminating erotic literature, including homoerotic books that had even been obscured during the fascist era.
A future of collaboration
The exploration of queer archives in Italy illuminates a rich history that has long been obscured and marginalised. The invaluable efforts of collectors like Luca Locati Luciani have brought to light a diverse array of publications, objects and narratives, spanning over a century of queer existence. But, the true potential of these archives lies not only in the artefacts themselves but in the collaborative spirit that can amplify their impact.
Collaboration among different archives across Italy is essential for the comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the queer experience. By sharing knowledge, resources and best practices, these institutions can enhance their individual collections and contribute to a more holistic representation of Italy's queer past. Through collaboration, archives can bridge gaps in their collections, fill in historical narratives and create a more comprehensive and inclusive depiction of the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community.
While it is unfortunate that some archival material or artefacts have been lost, destroyed or intentionally deleted due to societal prejudice or neglect, their absence should not be overlooked. Instead, it becomes imperative to reflect upon their significance and investigate further through conversations with older queer generations. Engaging in dialogue with these individuals can provide valuable insights, oral histories and personal anecdotes that contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the past.
By actively seeking out the perspectives and stories of older queers, the younger generation can bridge the gap between past and present, fostering a deeper appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of those who came before them.
In this quest for understanding, I found myself once again sitting with my Italian grandmother, reminiscing about the past. As the afternoon sun streamed through her kitchen window, casting a warm glow on the worn, wooden table, she began to share an anecdote from her own youth in Florence. She spoke of a small, hidden café tucked away in the narrow streets of the city, a haven for artists, intellectuals, and, as it turned out, the queer community. With a twinkle in her eyes and a nostalgic smile, she recounted the nights she spent there, surrounded by vibrant conversations and laughter, feeling the palpable sense of freedom and acceptance that permeated the air. In that moment, I realised that the significance of queer archives in Italy extended beyond academic inquiry or cultural preservation—it was about connecting generations, embracing our shared history, and honouring the untold stories of those who paved the way for a more inclusive future. As I sat there, listening to my grandmother's words, I couldn't help but feel a profound gratitude for the power of these archives and the role they played in bringing us closer together, bridging the gap between her past and my present. In that small, tender moment, I understood that the journey to uncovering Italy's queer archives was not just a scholarly pursuit, but a personal one—a journey that reaffirmed the timeless bond between grandmother and grandchild, and the importance of preserving our collective heritage for generations to come.
About the author
Who am I?
I am Yasmine Ba, a freelance writer and graduate in Political Science with a strong interest in archival practices, and the underlying political and cultural motives behind them. I am also interested in the intersection between visual arts and archives; the use of sound, images, photographs to reminisce about the past.
Why did I apply to the Digital Storytelling Online Creative Residency?
I applied to Europeana’s Online Creative Residency to gain more insights about how to write and cater for a digital audience, and to meet like-minded writers. I’ve learned a lot through the residency, from my peers but especially through the writing mentor Beth Daley, and received valuable tips in regards to finding my voice, choosing suitable visuals, and most importantly, on how to conduct effective and coherent storytelling.
What is my project about?
For this project, I initially wanted to complete a chapter of my upcoming novel. But as I advanced in the process, I realized that I wanted to go in the direction of uncovering queer archives, with the particular choice of Italy because of the country’s knotty relationship to queerness, and the lack of understanding. The next step would be to maybe translate this text in Italian, and make a zine out of it, in collaboration with Italian queer archivists!