Textiles

We hold a diverse textile collection that encompasses clothing, costumes, banners and items like tea towels, tote bags and handkerchiefs. The most substantial component of our Textile Collection are over 850 T-shirts, dating from the early 1970s gay liberation period to the present. They document protests, volunteering, businesses and pride and are largely Australian, but also include material from the USA and Europe, documenting in particular the Gay Games, and leather and fetish events. Other items of clothing include caps, underwear, shorts, uniforms, and motor club overlays.

We also hold a small but important collection of costumes, encompassing notable drag outfits from the late 1960s onward, as well as unique clothing items prepared for events. We have more than 100 banners dating from the 1970s to the present, including hand-painted banners used at protests, pull-up banners promoting products, and a small group of dance party and band backdrops.

Textiles catalogue listing (pdf)

T-shirts catalogue listing (pdf)