Making Queer History has a vague title because it has a rather vague purpose. We are not alone in our aim to tell the queer community’s history. What defines us is our focus not only on the past, but toward the future.
Making Queer History has a vague title because it has a rather vague purpose. We are not alone in our aim to tell the queer community’s history. What defines us is our focus not only on the past, but toward the future.
All things held within this section of the website are public domain, which means they have no exclusive intellectual property rights and can be used freely by the public. Public domain works can be used to create derivative works without any permission needed.
Making Queer History has compiled a selection of public domain works made by queer people or including queer themes. We have done this in part to give queer people easy access to their history and their predecessors' art. All of the works in this library are free to use without credit, but we would love to see anything you might be inspired to create, so feel free to tag us on social media if you choose to share!
The translated works of Kristina King of Sweden, including 12th centuries of maxims.
Different from the Others was banned quickly after its release and nearly destroyed by Nazis, but Hirschfeld hid portions of it into a different film. People have since done their best to pull all these pieces together to make the film whole again.
An insightful collection of Edward Carpenter’s works and his studies throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
An Account of Four Seasons' Mountaineering on the Southern Alps of New Zealand by Freda Du Faur.
A collection of short stories and poetry written by Katherine Mansfield.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde—his only novel, in fact.
Poems, Series 1
Emily Dickinson was socially isolated during her life, and had very little human interaction. She turned to poetry to express her deepest thoughts on life, love, nature, and time and eternity.
Jill
Jill tells the story of a woman escaping in search of adventure after her mother’s death, and instead finding herself working as a maid and falling in love with her mistress.
Twenty Years at Hull House
This month's public domain queer art is Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams. Twenty Years at Hull House is Addams' account of her creation and experience of Hull House on Chicago's West Side from 1889 to 1909.
The Poems of Sappho
This month's public domain queer art is The Poems of Sappho translated by John Myers O’Hara. You can learn more about Sappho, her life and her work in our very first article, Sappho: The Poetess.
Poems and Ballads
Algernon Charles Swinburne was not one to hide who he was, nor was he quiet about his beliefs—or sexuality. Swinburne often related to the "taboo", and it is understandable why, as a disabled gay man. This book of poetry, one of Swinburne's many, discusses many taboo topics and figures.
Arne: Early Tales and Sketches
This month's additional to the public domain library is Arne: Early Tales and Sketches by Björnstjerne Björnson, translated from the Norse by Rasmus B. Anderson! Bjørnson is best known as a pioneer in his home country in the fight for the decriminalization of gay relationships.
Frankenstein;
or, the Modern Prometheus
This month's addition to the public domain library is Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley.
