LGBT History Month in Brixton

Lambeth Libraries is holding a series of events to celebrate LGBT History Month, running throughout February. Librarian Tim O’Dell lets us know what’s going on.

LGBT_finished-03Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month celebrates the lives and achievements of the LGBT community and is celebrated in February each year. Our work to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia continues throughout the year and Lambeth Libraries are delighted to be participating in the celebrations. Throughout the month we will be promoting LGBT writers and we hope you find an exciting read at your local library.

Happy Birthday RVT!
Wednesday 18 February 7pm (doors open at 6.30)
Tate South Lambeth Library, 180 South Lambeth Road SW8 1QP. Tel: 020 7926 0705

Diana Dors at the RVT
Diana Dors at the RVT

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) is Lambeth’s unique venue for LGBT culture. The site was part of Vauxhall Gardens. The pub was built immediately after the gardens closed, over 150 years ago. Now, after 350 years as a place for entertainment, its future is under threat – not for the first time….

For the ‘Happy Birthday RVT!’ project (backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Lambeth Archives), artists have documented RVT’s 60 years as a site for innovative entertainment and an influence on wider British popular culture. Film-maker Tim Brunsden – and guests – will introduce and discuss the project’s film of reminiscences by RVT performers and visitors. Robin Whitmore will show and discuss his giant (4’6″ x 5’6″) hand-drawn map of the area with historical references over three centuries filled in with help from local people.

A previous LGBT History Month event. Photo credit: Charlotte Wiig
A previous LGBT History Month event. Photo credit: Charlotte Wiig

How was it for you?  Coming out stories
Wednesday 25 February 7pm (doors open 6.30pm)
Brixton Library, Brixton Oval SW2 1JQ. Tel: 020 7926 1056

We are inviting women from all generations for an open discussion about female sexuality, specifically about the experience of ‘coming out’ as a gay or bisexual woman.

Share your coming out story, how different was it before Google? Is the internet an improvement on community notice boards and newspapers, or do you miss picking up the Pink Paper from your local library and scanning the personals?

Reporting Hate Crime

During February, Lambeth Hate Crime Prevention Coordinator, Mark Healey, will be available to talk to about reporting hate crime in Lambeth Libraries. There is no place for disability, faith, gender-identity (transphobia), race or sexual orientation (homophobia and biphobia) hate crime in Lambeth. Don’t suffer in silence, report it – so we can do something about it and make Lambeth a safer place for all. You can also contact Mark at mhealey1@lambeth.gov.uk or on Twitter @Lambethhcc.

1 COMMENT

  1. Well done Brixton

    Despite considerable attempts by some authorities & others with a vested interest in preventing aspects of Cornwall’s LGBT history from being recorded.

    A chronological referenced record of ‘One Queer Gay Life”. (Publications, letters, photos, press articles, etc.)

    http://www.gayhistorycornwall.com

    It is an eye opener into continued homophobic discrimination & prejudice despite equality laws in the far south west of the UK

    The above website is now included in the National Community Archives & license has been granted for it’s inclusion in the British Library UK Web Archive.

    The website in its entirety has also been submitted by the subject of the archive & as a gay adult survivor as part of their witness testimony to the Statutory Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse into UK institutional & organisational failings.

    We thought you may like to know

    Please list & add to links

    Sprocket Trust

Comments are closed.