RESOURCE: Gulf Coast LGBT Radio and Television Digitization Project

A recently published article in the Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies (JCAS Vol 12, Article 3) highlights the Gulf Coast LGBT Radio and Television Digitization Project. Written by Emily Vinson (University of Houston) and Bethany Scott (Yale University), “The Gulf Coast LGBT Radio and Television Digitization Project: Providing Equitable Access to Houston’s LGBTQ Broadcast History,” the paper offers a thorough overview of the project. From the abstract:

Initiated in 2020 with a multi-year grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Preservation and Access, The Gulf Coast LGBT Radio and Television Digitization Project aimed to digitize and preserve thousands of hours of LGBTQ broadcast history from the Houston, Texas area. Through meticulous inventorying, digitization, redaction, transcription, publication, promotion, and preservation processes, the project team navigated the delicate balance between equitable access and copyright compliance. The selected programs encapsulate decades of LGBTQ life and culture, covering a diverse array of topics crucial to understanding the community’s evolution in the region.

This paper presents a comprehensive case study of the project, providing insights into its historical context, significance, and methodology. By examining the project team’s step-by-step process, including innovative approaches to redacting copyrighted material from audio recordings, this study offers valuable lessons for practitioners engaged in similar initiatives. Moreover, the project’s enduring impact extends beyond preservation efforts, serving as a rich historical resource for researchers and community members interested in exploring LGBTQ history in the Houston region.