Pride in our past
From Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Mrs Kate Wild on 19 June 2012
People with an interest in local heritage are being encouraged to volunteer as researchers to capture the experiences and memories of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) community living in Solihull.
Solihull Council would like to add the research to its local heritage collection ready for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) History Month next year, which takes place nationally every February.
People who get involved in the project will help decide what direction it will take, but it could include gathering written memories, researching newspapers and archive records, interviewing and recording personal testimonies and collecting historical documents. Advice and support will be provided throughout the project, so no prior research experience is necessary.
Anyone interested can go along to Solihull Central Library on Saturday 23 June, 2pm-4pm to find out more.
Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Mrs Kate Wild said: “The life experiences of local LGBT people form an important part of the history of our borough. For example, older LGBT people will have lived through tremendous social, legal and attitudinal change and it’s our responsibility to ensure that these testimonies are recorded before it’s too late.
“The experiences in the small townships and villages that make up the borough will also be a lot different from the urban experiences in places such as London, Manchester and Birmingham so will also fill a gap in general LGBT history.”
For more information or to confirm attendance at the library event on 23 June, contact Laura Slegg-Newton on 0121 704 6902 or email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
For enquiries from members of the press and media only: 0121 704 8373
Email: juharrison@solihull.gov.uk