Founded in 1997 as an archive, the GALA Queer Archive (GALA) is a catalyst for the production, preservation and dissemination of information about the history, culture and contemporary experiences of LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) people in South Africa. GALA was established as a response to the continued erasure and omission of LGBTQIA+ history from official museums and archives, even in the wave of new histories and heritage being celebrated and emphasised in post-apartheid 1990s South Africa.
As an archive founded on principles of social justice and human rights, GALA continues to work towards a greater awareness about the lives and experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in South Africa, and Africa more broadly. Thus their main focus is to preserve and nurture LGBTQIA+ narratives and culture, as well as promote social equality, inclusive education and youth development.
Today GALA is the custodian of over 200 organisational and personal archival collections dating back to the 1940s, with archival responsibilities that include the safe storage of historical documents and objects and ensuring that this material is accessible to the public. GALA also actively adds to the archive by collecting historical material to add to existing collections, or starting new collections by recording contemporary experiences.
In addition to their ongoing archival programme, GALA supports research, publishes, operates a community library, facilitates educational workshops and hosts exhibitions. GALA publishes under their imprint, MaThoko’s Books, a rare publishing outlet for LGBTQIA+ writing and scholarly works on LGBTQIA+ -related themes in Africa.
GALA incorporates the archive into educational programming aimed at broadening perspectives around gender and sexual diversity. Complimenting this includes developing resources, furthering our internship and training programmes aimed at capacity building for queer youth, and collaborating with civil society organisations on programmes that focus on cross cutting issues.
GALA Annual Reports
Team GALA
GALA’s Board of Trustees
GALA is governed by a board of trustees that decides on all essential matters relating to the administration, finances and strategic direction of the organisation.
Mwenya Kabwe
Getti Mercorio
Thabo Msibi
Kendall Petersen
Justice Edwin Cameron
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
Marius Coetzee, Jillian Gardner, Sandra Gordon, Melanie Judge, Catherine Kennedy, Karen Martin, Zethu Matebeni, Harry Ntombela, Piers Pigou, Graeme C. Reid (founder of GALA), Rehana Vally
Our Funders
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GALA not do?
GALA is primarily an archive. We are a non-profit organisation made up of a very small team of staff, that relies on donor funding for archive, education and cultural project work. We are therefore limited in the scope of work we can do and our expertise.
We frequently get requests for assistance outside of our scope of capabilities and resources. Unfortunately GALA is not in a position to assist with medical or legal advice. We are also not able to assist with housing, visas, residency
What do I need to access archive material?
You need to contact the Archivist to discuss your research/interests and which collections you want to access. Physical materials are stored offsite and ordered in as requested/needed, so a prior appointment is needed to access materials. Some collections are digitised and material can be sent directly to researchers. Please have a look through the Archive Guide and then contact the Archivist at Linda.Chernis@Wits.ac.za.
Access to the archive is free and open to all. However, usage of archive material in commercial and/or public projects might have some restrictions and conditions. These need to be discussed with GALA in advance.
Can the archive material be used off site?
Usually, no. All research using physical material needs to be conducted onsite, though some collections are digitised.
Loan requests for exhibition and display need to be discussed directly with GALA and will be taken on a case-by-case basis. We encourage reproductions for display purposes in most cases, both in the interests of protecting archival material, and to minimise the costs and risks involved in transport.
Does GALA provide shelter for queer people in crisis?
No, GALA does not provide shelter. Johannesburg and South Africa more broadly, has a critical shortage of safe, queer-inclusive shelters. This gap leaves many LGBTQIA+ people without protection when facing violence, homelessness, or family rejection. While GALA cannot provide housing, our work is dedicated to challenging these systemic failures through advocacy, education, and building visibility for queer rights.