OTP 2021 Programmes - Higgins Bedford

The Higgins Bedford is excited to take part in the Virtual OUTing the Past Festival for LGBT+ History Month on Saturday 20th February, inspired by the theme ‘Body, Mind and Spirit’.

The Higgins Bedford has been a hub venue for the OUTing the Past Festival for four years running. With the ongoing situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have had to think of new ways to safely engage and stay connected with the community. This will be our first year hosting a Virtual OUTing the Past Festival, offering the opportunity for wider accessibility for the community to join in, presenting interpretations of history from a fresh perspective and giving a voice to an underrepresented group.

Ahead of the OUTing the Past Festival on Saturday 13th February, we will be premiering ‘The Boy and the Bear’, a film by critically acclaimed performer, author, playwright, singer and musician, Rose Collis. She will be appearing at our OUTing the Past Festival to answer questions from the community.

With a range of dynamic speakers and presentations, our OUTing the Past Festival aims to share the hidden histories and stories of the LGBT+ community, celebrate its diversity, and raise awareness of the challenges that the community have encountered and continue to face today.

The programme includes:

LGBT+ and Health & the NHS by Abtin Sadeghi

30 years campaigning for equality by LGBTQI+ disabled people (Disability) by Ju Gosling

Uncovering the histories of black and Asian communities through the Haringey Vanguard project by Veronica McKenzie

The Boy and The Bear Q&A by Rose Collis     

Trans Lives in British History by Rico Chace        

Courage to be: Organised gay youth in England 1970 – 1990 by Clifford Williams

How My Spirit Sought Hers by Jane Hoy 

Please visit The Higgins Bedford website to find out more and to access the zoom link here: www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk  

If you would like to learn more about this event and have a specific enquiry, then please email The Higgins Bedford’s Keeper of Social History at lydia.saul@bedford.gov.uk