Uncovering Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender histories
Doris, the Devon County Council Bus on Cowick Street
Photo by Devon Record Office
The intercom Trust supports lesbian, gay, bisexual & trans people & communities in the South West.
Registered Charity 1072772
There were leaflets and balloons to take away
Photo by Devon Record Office
Out and about in St Thomas for LGBT History Month
By Katherine Weston, Devon Record Office
On Saturday 2nd February 2008 Devon Record Office took Devon County Council's Community Bus to Cowick Street to explore Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender histories in Devon.
Visitors could come aboard to find out how to access the archives to research LGBT heritage with staff from the Devon Record Office. The intercom Trust's LGBT Heritage co-ordinator and a curator from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum were there too.
About 45 people young and old took part. Many people were not from LGBT communities but were interested to hear about the month.
Hidden histories
This is one of a programme of events for LGBT History Month 2008 across Exeter this February. Sarah Stephenson, LGBT Heritage Project Co-ordinator for The intercom Trust explains:
It is complicated to develop an understanding of an LGBT past and put together the pieces. The LGBT population have often had to live in secrecy and under the oppression of legislation. LGBT History month offers a chance to expand our hidden histories and to individually or collectively curate our memories.
LGBT History Month is also a fantastic opportunity for us all to discover and feel more positive/confident in engaging with LGB (lesbian, gay, bisexual) and T (transgender) people within our communities.
Find out what's going on across the UK: www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/
Story to share?
If you have a story to share about your own hidden history you are welcome to add it to this website. For sensitive stories which you would like to record but prefer not to publish please contact Sarah at intercom (see below).
For local advice and support on uncovering LGBT history contact:
Sarah Stephenson, LGBT Heritage Project Co-ordinator for the intercom Trust sarah@intercomtrust.org.uk 01392 201015 (Main Office) www.intercomtrust.org.uk
Katherine Weston, Heritage Outreach Officer for Devon Record Office
Devon County Council. katherine.weston@devon.gov.uk 01392 384253 (Reception Desk) www.devon.gov.uk/record_office.htm
or Sarah Scaife, Curator of West Exe, Royal Albert Memorial Museum. sarah.scaife@exeter.gov.uk 01392 665327