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Museum of Liverpool Committed to Telling LGBT History for National Festival 2017

Here, at the Museum of Liverpool, we are committed to telling diverse and hidden histories and ensuring that our collections and displays represent our local communities as much as possible.

Many of our recent projects, events and exhibitions, developed in partnership with community groups and organisations, have ensured that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans voices have been heard; many for the first time. As part of this ongoing commitment we are very excited to be hosting Outing the Past: The 3rd National Festival of LGBT History on Saturday 25 February, 2017.
Back in July, we had a great response to our call out for people to get involved, and we are finalising the programme of talks, films, performances and fun as we speak.
Highlights include a range of short talks exploring a diverse range of LGBT histories, culture, activism and personal experiences; many with a Liverpool focus.

Museum of Liverpool 2 (C) Mark McNulty

Museum of Liverpool 2 (C) Mark McNulty


Speakers include –

  • Matt Exley & Lynn Wray, NML – ‘Our Pride and Prejudice Project’.
  • Paul Amann, ‘Kop Outs – YNWA: being LGBT and a football fan’.
  • Val Stevenson, LJMU – ‘Antiquated Legalities: the International Times Prosecution, 1969’ – examining the impact of this legal battle upon the public/private morality debate.
  • Claire Stevens – ‘Queer in the Head: the history of psychiatric responses to LGBTI+ people’.
  • Caroline Paige – ‘True Colours: Trailblazing Transgender Service in the Military’.
  • Jane Hoy & Helen Sandler – “The oldest New Woman and her incorrigible Welsh friend”: Frances Power Cobbe and Mary Charlotte Lloyd in conversation.
  • Sandi Hughes, Helena Smart & Tim Brunsden – ‘Rewind Fast Forward: Sandi Hughes’ History of the Liverpool Scene (1975-2005)’.
  • Andrew Dineley – ‘Three decades of HIV/AIDS design’ from the perspective of a gay man signing national public health campaigns during a hostile period of inequality in Liverpool over 20+ years.
  • Kate Hutchinson – ‘Blurring the Lines: Trans representation and gender expression in rock music’.
  • Jeff Evans – ‘Liverpool’s growing police priority: arresting victimless crime in the city’s gents toilets 1880 to 1945’.
  • Andrew Herm – ‘But where I’m from it’s illegal’: A comparative reading of early-20th century ‘gay’ literature.

The theme of the festival for 2017 is ‘Law, Citizenship and Personal, Social, Health Education’, in order to mark 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales.
Keep an eye out for the full programme soon!
Free, no need to book
Museum of Liverpool homepage: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol
For Matt Exley and Lynn Wray’s talk: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/collections/research/lgbt/