Mississippi

IHP began its expansion into Mississippi through our work with the University of Mississippi in Oxford

Mississippi was the second state for IHP expansion. Through our initial partnership with the University of Mississippi, IHP is now collecting full-time in the state.

Mississippi IHP collections can be found at the following repositories

University of Mississippi

There will be more repository partners added in the future. To learn more or to inquire about a collection, email us at contact@invisiblehistory.org.

Below are some Example Collections from Mississippi

Lesbian Front

The Lesbian Front was a newsletter written by two Lesbian women from Mississippi and published in Jackson Mississippi. This very rare newsletter was published from 1975-1977 and is currently housed at the Stonewall National Museum and Archives in Fort Lauderdale Florida. These digitized copies can be found at the University of Mississippi in Oxford.

Mississippi Gay Alliance

Founded in Jackson, Mississippi by local activist Eddie Sandifer, the Mississippi Gay Alliance was a political and social organization that sought to organize the LGBTQ community of Mississippi. This organization began to print a newsletter and hold events in 1975.

This Month in Mississippi

This Month in Mississippi was the official newsletter of the Mississippi Gay & Lesbian Alliance. This newsletter began its publication run in the late 1970s and continued through 1991.

Jeri Jones

Jeri Jones is a Trans woman from south Mississippi whose family was the subject of the 2009 documentary “The Joneses.” Her collection consists of journals, pictures from her years doing drag in Jackson Mississippi, and letters from and to her family. Photos courtesy of the Advocate magazine.

Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition

The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition works to ensure that LGBTQ2+, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming students from across Mississippi can attain a safe and inclusive, high-quality education free of discrimination and bullying. They envision a Mississippi where students, regardless of real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, have equal protections and the opportunity to grow and learn in a safe environment.

Violet Valley Bookstore

Founded in 2017 and located in Water Valley Mississippi, Violet Valley is the only Queer, Femisist, and Trans inclusive bookstore in the state of Mississippi. One of its co-founders Dr. Jamie Harker describes the store as

As I researched (the book The Lesbian South), I discovered that most of these writers were also involved in the Women in Print movement. They founded feminist presses and bookstores, learned to set type and run businesses, and they refused to separate their work as writers from their work as activists and citizens. They inspired me to do the same. In 2017, I founded Violet Valley Bookstore, a queer feminist bookstore in Water Valley, Mississippi. Over three years later, we are the only bookstore of its kind in the state.

Crossroads Film Festival

FOUNDED IN Jackson MS in 1999 BY MISSISSIPPI FILMMAKERS AND LOVERS… Crossroads Film Festival celebrates the art of filmmaking in all of its diversity and depth; showcases a broader spectrum of film and video for the community; presents and honors film related to Mississippi and the South; and provides educational opportunities and forums of discussion for film lovers and aspiring filmmakers.