The Lesbian Herstory Archives of New York City, the largest and oldest lesbian archive in the world, began in 1973 as an outgrowth of a lesbian consciousness-raising group at the Gay Academic Union. The founders were concerned about the failure of mainstream publishers, libraries, archives, and research institutions to consider lesbian culture. They decided to ensure the preservation of lesbian culture and history by establishing an independent archive governed by lesbians. Located in Brooklyn, New York, the Lesbian Herstory Archives gather and preserve records of lesbian lives and activities.