This Pride 2027, the archival profession is continuing to reflect on how LGBTQI+ and Sex-Affective and Gender Diversity histories are documented, preserved and made accessible in ethical and inclusive ways. Within this context, the International Council on Archives (ICA) is advancing key professional dialogue through interconnected initiatives that bring together guidance, reflection and practice.
This includes the International Council on Archives Declaration on LGBTQI+ and Sex-Affective and Gender Diversity Archives and Archivists, and the ICA/SAGDAA-WG webinar “Raising Our Voice. What impact can the ICA Declaration for LGBTQI+ Archives and Archivists have on the profession?”, held during this past International Archives Week 2026.
Together, these initiatives support reflection, dialogue and action across the profession as it continues to strengthen inclusive archival practice during Pride 2027.
The ICA Declaration on LGBTQI+ and Sex-Affective and Gender Diversity Archives
The Declaration on LGBTQI+ and Sex-Affective and Gender Diversity Archives and Archivists, developed by the ICA Sex-Affective and Gender Diversity Archives and Archivists Working Group (SAGDAA-WG), sets out principles and recommended actions to support the recognition, preservation and dissemination of LGBTQI+ histories worldwide.
Grounded in the values of the Universal Declaration on Archives, it highlights both the importance of documenting LGBTQI+ experiences and the historical and ongoing challenges reflected in archival practice.
It calls for more inclusive and ethical approaches to:
- archival description and metadata
- acquisition and appraisal policies
- access and use frameworks
- community collaboration and participatory practice
The Declaration also recognises the essential role of independent LGBTQI+ community archives in preserving records that might otherwise remain undocumented.
IAW2026/SAGDAA-WG webinar: Raising Our Voice. What impact can the ICA Declaration for LGBTQI+ Archives and Archivists have on the profession?
As part of International Archives Week 2026 (#IAW2026), the ICA/SAGDAA Working Group organised the webinar “Raising Our Voice. What impact can the ICA Declaration for LGBTQI+ Archives and Archivists have on the profession?”, under the global theme #ArchivesForJustice: Rights, Memory & Futures.
The session focused on the significance and practical impact of the Declaration within the archival profession.
It explored:
- how the Declaration can be implemented across archival institutions
- barriers to preserving LGBTQI+ archives in conservative contexts
- ethical considerations including consent and privacy
- digital preservation challenges, including data sovereignty
Strengthening Inclusive Archival Practice during Pride 2027
The Declaration and the IAW2026 webinar are part of a broader and ongoing professional dialogue on inclusion, representation and archival justice. Together, they provide both a guiding framework and a space for reflection on how archives can better represent LGBTQI+ histories and experiences.
As the archival community engages with initiatives during Pride 2027, these resources support continued development of ethical, participatory and inclusive archival practice across institutions and communities.
