Data & Methodology
Queer Memory is built from open knowledge projects. Every page queries Wikidata live, and links to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons when available.
Data Sources
We draw structured data from Wikidata and surface related articles and media from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
- Wikidata provides structured entities (people, events, places, rights, movements, works).
- Wikipedia provides narrative context and detailed articles for many items.
- Wikimedia Commons provides images and media for items with linked files.
Methodology
The site runs SPARQL queries against the Wikidata Query Service at page load. Results are rendered client-side and update as Wikidata evolves.
- All records are live and can change as community edits occur.
- We prioritize items aligned with the WikiProject LGBT data models.
- Where available, we link to English Wikipedia for context.
WikiProject LGBT Models
The project follows the WikiProject LGBT modeling guidance for rights, identities, places, movements, and culture.
These models define the classes and properties used for LGBTQIA+ topics, such as LGBT rights by country, LGBT pride in a geographic region, and LGBT-related cultural works.
If a topic is missing, improving the underlying model or adding items in Wikidata will immediately improve this site.
Open-Source Code
Queer Memory is a static front end, and its queries and page loaders are maintained in the public repository. The code is licensed under the GNU AGPL v3.
- Repository: GitHub project
- Contributing: Contribution guide
- Release notes: Release history
Coverage & Limitations
This project reflects what has been documented and modeled in open knowledge sources, which are incomplete by nature.
- Coverage is uneven across regions, languages, and historical periods.
- Under-documented communities and eras may be absent or thinly represented.
- Some items lack location, dates, or links, which affects visibility.
Help Improve Wikimedia Projects
Queer Memory is only as strong as the open data behind it. Contributions to Wikimedia projects directly improve this site.
- Add or improve Wikidata items for people, events, places, and organizations.
- Expand Wikipedia articles for LGBTQIA+ histories and figures.
- Upload media to Wikimedia Commons to enrich visual coverage.
- Join WikiProject LGBT to help curate and model data.