About

Queer Frame Archive is a catalog and resource dedicated to the chronicling, showcasing, and is a collection of queer representations in roughly the first half of cinema (up until 1969) and generally coinciding with films made before the Hays Code Era and during it. 

Most films in this catalog were made in the USA, owing to America being a large producer of films during these decades. After the 1960s, numerous changes relating to attitudes towards queer people, advances in filmmaking technology, and laws and policies led to a radical shift in queer representation in cinema. This trend had began in the 1960s, but the end of the Hays Code in the USA in 1968, the Stonewall Riots in 1969, and SCOTUS rulings in 1970 that loosened censorship and allowed for the rise of gay porn marked the end of this period. 

QFA was started by Andrew Proctor in December 23, 2022 and consists of this website with resources, articles, essays, and films themselves that is continuously updated.

A Note

It is important to remember that the definition of "queer" has changed throughout the decades, and also is different between cultures and societies. I strive to be comprehensive and inclusive, however with these changing understandings of "queerness" combined with the fact that so many celluloid and nitrate films are lost to history, having a complete archive of every queer film to have ever been filmed is nearly impossible. But I will try!

It is also important to keep in mind that most of the history of queer representation in cinema is fraught with stereotypes and negative portrayals. Although extremely harmful, I believe it is still necessary to chronicle and document these portrayals so we can learn from history.

Donations

I welcome donations through the QFA Patreon account. Donations cover website and domain expenses, research and library subscriptions, and associated other fees.