Finding “evidence of me” through “evidence of us”

Abstract

Since late 2017 the author has been investigating the history of transgender people in Australia. This has included conducting over seventy oral history interviews with past and present transgender activists, public figures, and “ordinary” people. The aim of the oral histories – like the wider project – is to document the changing living experiences of transgender Australians. One striking finding early in this research was that many interview participants have collected personal archives that are invaluable sources. These archives include not only personal papers and photographs, but also extensive media clippings about transgender issues and gender non-conformity, correspondence with government bodies, and records of transgender and other LGBTIQ+ organisations. Some of these personal archives are so extensive that they fill entire rooms. This chapter explores the nexus between oral history interviews and personal archives, focusing on examples from transgender Australians. It explores the ways that oral history methodologies not only record stories, but also expose hitherto hidden records that together enrich the preservation of LGBTIQ+ history.