Blog Free public talks will reveal hidden history in York
Free public talks will reveal hidden history in York
Kit Heyam 31 October 2016 2017, National Festival, Press releases, UncategorizedLeave a Comment
A day of free public talks at York Explore Library will reveal hidden LGBT history on Saturday 11th February 2017.
For the second year, York will be hosting the National Festival of LGBT History. Visitors can drop in any time between 10.30 and 4.30 to discover hidden stories and forgotten heroes from LGBT communities in Yorkshire and beyond. The day begins with the story of Barnsley's gay ex-coal miner and World War Two veteran Maurice Dobson, and the programme ranges from transgender military personnel to lesbian music hall stars. The full programme is now available here.
The National Festival of LGBT History will tour England during February, visiting other towns and cities including London, Shrewsbury and Bournemouth. The 2017 festival marks the 50th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act, which partially decriminalised sex between men.
The festival in York is organised by York LGBT History Month, a registered charity that coordinates a month-long programme of events in the York area each February. York LGBT History Month are currently compiling their programme for February 2017, and any organisation who is putting on an event for LGBT History Month is invited to get in touch for inclusion in the programme.
York LGBT History Month also support LGBT inclusion in local schools. Their free posters featuring an inspirational LGBT person from every curriculum area can be downloaded from the national LGBT History Month website. The OutWord Bound LGBT writing competition for young people aged 11-16, jointly organised with York LGBT Forum, will also run again in 2017.
LGBT History Month has been celebrated worldwide since 2005. The purpose of the event is to increase the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, their history, lives and experiences. The ultimate aim is to raise awareness and advance education on matters affecting LGBT people in order to promote their welfare and benefit wider society.
Kit Heyam, Lead Coordinator of York LGBT History Month, said: "LGBT History Month in York is an opportunity for our whole community to learn about and celebrate the stories, the people and the communities that have been invisible for so long. As a young trans person, learning about LGBT people in the past was really important to me – it stopped me feeling isolated and made me realise I wasn't alone – and this is why I'm still so passionate about bringing LGBT history to light. We're really excited to be hosting the National Festival of LGBT History again this year, and we're looking forward to a whole month of events that will reveal fascinating stories and provide an opportunity to celebrate our past and our future."
Media: please contact Kit on kit@yorklgbthistory.org.uk or 07504 690246.
Kit Heyam
Kit is the former lead coordinator of York LGBT History Month, a researcher of LGBT history, and a trans awareness trainer.
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Tags:National Festival of LGBT History