The Gay History Project

The Gay History Project was born from a deeply personal experience. When developer John Clevesys marriage to his husband wasnt recognized by the federal government, his husband was unable to get a green card and had to return to the UK while Clevesy remained in the U.S. to finish university. This separation left him feeling like an outcast—less than equal. Struggling with a loss of identity and pride, Clevesy turned to technology as a way to understand and share the rich, often overlooked history of the LGBTQ+ community. As he began adding stories to the app, he found something transformative: a sense of belonging. The stories of resilience, love, and activism not only reminded him that there was nothing wrong with him but also helped him reclaim his pride in being part of the LGBTQ+ community, improving his mental health in the process.
First launched in 2009 as part of Clevesys senior design project at Bostons Northeastern University, the app quickly became the first of its kind on the App Store, reaching the number one spot in the reference category. The Gay History Project has since evolved into an essential educational tool, making significant events, figures, and movements from LGBTQ+ history accessible to a broader audience. With detailed accounts of historical events, biographies, and cultural milestones, the app serves as a reminder of the communitys rich and diverse history—a history that can inspire and uplift others just as it did for its creator.
Key Features:
* User-Generated Content: Contribute your own stories, memories, and knowledge to help create a living, evolving archive of LGBTQ+ history.
* Timeline Exploration & Customization: Add events directly to the timeline and see them appear in your personal timeline. You can even submit articles for inclusion in future app updates.
* Progressive Learning with Badges: Earn badges for exploring sections of the timeline. As you unlock articles, badges appear to track your progress and encourage further discovery.
* Stickers for Messages: Use badges and other images from the app as stickers in the iPhones Messages app, adding fun and educational elements to your conversations.
* Coming Out Stories: Read and share coming out experiences, whether publicly or anonymously, creating a supportive space for users.
* Daily History Widget: Add the Gay History Project widget to your home screen to receive a new LGBTQ+ history fact every day. The more you explore, the more unique facts youll unlock!
* Up-to-Date Content: Stay connected with the LGBTQ+ community by accessing live events and updates through the dedicated Facebook page, integrated directly into the app.
Now, with even more articles, stories, and features than before, the Gay History Project continues its mission to preserve, educate, and celebrate LGBTQ+ history. Best of all, the app is now completely free, ensuring that everyone can access this vital resource.
Download the Gay History Project today and take pride in the incredible history of the LGBTQ+ community.