BERWYN HEIGHTS, Md. July 24, the Quist app will have another type of LGBTQ history to share with users: On this day in 2013, the Quist app was released.
Quist is a free mobile app that teaches users about what happened today in LGBTQ history. It was released for Apple and Android on July 24, 2013, making this week it’s first anniversary. In the last 12 months, Quist has been downloaded almost 18,000 times in over 100 countries, including several where LGBTQ information is difficult or dangerous to access such as Russia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Jamaica, Iran, Ghana, Serbia, Honduras and Kenya.
“I created Quist as one solution to multiple issues at once,” says Sarah Prager, the app’s founder. Today’s mobile user is accustomed to getting information quickly and easily, and Quist presents LGBTQ history in a more accessible, readable format. Quist also offers an alternative way to learn LGBT history since only 17% of students are taught LGBT history in school and 64% of LGBT students feel unsafe at school (GLSEN). Finally, searching online for LGBT information can be blocked by filters or tracked by search histories — Quist is a discreet way to access LGBT history. “My goal is for this to be one way for isolated, rural, and closeted LGBTQ people can connect to their community and know they are not alone,” Prager continued.
In an effort to expand the global reach and impact of the free LGBTQ history resource, Quist recently rolled out translations of the app’s content into world languages. An international team of volunteers translated historical information into the native language of the country where the event took place. In the app, users will now find the translated version right below the English content. For example, Brazilian events now have Portuguese listings underneath the English and Korean events have Korean translations.
The following languages’ translations are already live in the app: Arabic, Croatian, Danish, German, Hebrew, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, and Spanish. Others are forthcoming pending volunteer availability. Those interested in volunteering their language skills can get involved by emailinginfo@quistapp.com.
During its first year Quist has become an established, dynamic brand. New functions including a keyword search option and additional content (100 more historical events) were added to the app. Anyone can submit missing historical information using this form. Sarah Prager has spoken at conferences and schoolsaround the U.S. on the importance of learning LGBTQ history. Quist also successfully petitioned Apple over their discrimination against the word “bisexual” in the App Store. Prager represented Quist at the White House on July 7, 2014 at the LGBT Innovation Summit.
Quist’s mission is to educate the world about the roots of the LGBTQ community, make LGBTQ history more engaging and relevant, and let LGBTQ individuals know that others have shared their struggle. The app is free for iOS and Android.
