OTP 2021 Programme - Suffolk Archives

We are excited to announce that Suffolk Archives is taking part in the OUTing the Past festival for the first time this year.

Suffolk Archives has developed a countywide programme of activities to engage more people than ever before with Suffolk’s archival heritage. One of the largest initiatives is ‘Sharing Suffolk Stories’, a range of projects which supports communities to explore more about the history of where they live, create their own responses to it through art, drama, exhibitions or digital media, and share their work as widely as possible.

Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, one ‘Sharing Suffolk Stories’ project is called ‘Pride in Suffolk’s Past’. The project is two-fold; to explore and share the hidden stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in Suffolk, but also to collect contemporary stories of Suffolk’s LGBTQ+ Community, documenting people’s experiences through a period of monumental societal change towards sexuality and gender identity.

An enthusiastic group of volunteer researchers has been delving into the archives to discover stories about the experiences of ordinary people as well as well-known local figures. To showcase these stories we will be shortly be opening our ‘Pride in Suffolk’s Past’ exhibition at The Hold, our new heritage and archive centre on the Ipswich Waterfront in conjunction with the University of Suffolk. The exhibition will run through to the end of June 2021 and will also be supported with a range of activities and events for a whole range of audiences.

As an OUTing the Past Hub for 2021, we will be hosting a FREE webinar on Thursday 18th February at 6pm and have been fortunate enough to secure four prestigious speakers:

·      Sue Sanders: Co-founder of LGBT+ History Month ‘The History Of LGBT history month’

·      Trudy Howdon: LGBT+ Poet Laureate ‘An LGBT Life. How it was. How it is’

·      Dr Clifford Williams: ‘Courage to be: Organised Gay Youth in England 1970-1990.’

·      Veronica McKenzie ‘Uncovering the histories of Black and Asian LGBTQ+ communities through the Haringey Vanguard project.’

We hope that this event will be engaging, enlightening and entertaining for you all and will provide an insight into the lives of both our past and present LGBT community.

Book your free tickets HERE

For more information in advance of our exciting event please follow the below link:

Pride in Suffolk's Past - Suffolk Archives

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