Collection
Barnett, Michael Collection
Span Dates: 1996-ongoing
Bulk Dates:
Volume: 1 cubic foot
Description
This collection consists of two parts. The first consists of all media relating to Aleph Melbourne, a social/support/advocacy group for LGBTIQ+ Jews. Records for Aleph Melbourne begin in 1997. The other half of the collection is everything Jewish and LGBTIQ+ but not specifically relating to Aleph Melbourne. This half starts from 1996. Both collections are active and contain content from every year to current.
The collection is held privately and organized chronologically. The clippings are mainly from the Australian Jewish News but also include content from Melbourne-based queer rags such as BNEWS (defunct), Brother Sister (defunct), MCV (defunct) and Star Observer. The content includes local coverage of queer news, letters to the editor, activism, protests, religious events and communities, pride marches, etc.
Hist/Bio Note
Aleph Melbourne is a social/support/advocacy group for LGBTIQ+ people who identify as Jewish or who have a Jewish heritage, living in or around Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1995.
From Aleph website: (aleph.org.au/about/)
Aleph:
welcomes people who identify as same-sex attracted, trans and gender diverse, and intersex (LGBTIQ+);
welcomes families and allies of LGBTIQ+ people;
is for people who are questioning or confused about their sexuality or gender;
is for people of all ages;
offers confidential and anonymous support;
is guided by secular humanitarian principles;
is nonpartisan on religious, political and nationalistic ideologies;
unconditionally supports equal rights for all people.
https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/profiles/michael-barnett
Finding Aid
There is not an online finding aid, but Aleph materials have been scanned up to 2016.
Location
These records are held as a private collection which will eventually be donated to the Australian Gay and Lesbian Archives (ALGA). Access to the collection and information about it can be arranged by contacting Michael Barnett, Co-convenor Aleph Melbourne.
michael@aleph.org.au.
Tags
Aleph Melbourne | Australia | Activist (religious institutions) | Author/editor | Melbourne | Jewish (ethnic, Reform, Reconstructionist, Orthodox)