LGBT History Month 2010 - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender

What's it all about?

February of each year has been chosen to mark and celebrate the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people.

For many years the discrimination and hostility towards LGBT people has caused many lives and achievements to pass unrecognised. This has often meant that images of LGBT people and their contribution to society have been distorted and stereotyped. This ignorance has in turn led to prejudice that shows itself in homophobic bullying and negative discrimination. By presenting an honest appraisal of LGBT lives we hope to replace ignorance with knowledge and understanding.

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When is it happening?

Events will take place during February 2010.

If you want to arrange your own event; a talk, debate, film screening, play, poetry reading, art exhibition, please let us know.

Please check this page regularly, we will update events as they get confirmed.

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What's on?

LGBT history performance project seeks your LGBT stories

Tom Marshman is an Arnolfini associate artist. Tom has been a practising performance artist for over ten years. He has produced over 20 projects in a wide range of medium including performance, photography, installation, publication and film.

Tom says, "I actively encourage a dialogue with my audiences and participants aiming to create a safe space to share their thoughts and experiences. I have a fascination for uncovering extraordinary stories from ordinary lives.

"I would like to present a performance using stories gathered from audio interviews. Also these audio interviews may be edited and uploaded on to websites."

"The meeting can take place wherever is convenient to you, in your house or I have a studio in central Bristol. Don’t worry if you feel that you haven't got anything extraordinary to tell me. I am interested in capturing all kinds of social histories."

Tom is particularly keen to have the participation of LGBT people over the age of 60.

Web:  http://tommarshman.blogspot.com
Email:  tommymarshman@gmail.com 

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LGBT book promotion and reading group

LGBT book promotion at Bristol Central Library and Bedminster Library, offering various titles, talking books - and DVDs at Bedminster.

LGBT reading group at Bedminster Library.

Find out more about LGBT History Month within Bristol's libraries.

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Bally and Barnstorming

Opening times Friday and Saturday only, or by appointment.
23 January – 6 February, 12 - 5pm

Motorcade/FlashParade, 37 Philip Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4EA.
An independent gallery space located within BV Studios.

Presented by Fraser Cook, his first solo show.

For Further information
Email: fraserjohncook@gmail.com
www.frasercookpresents.blogspot.com
www.motorcadeflashparade.com

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In this our lives

Sunday 7 February, 1pm

Watershed Media Centre, 1 Canon's Road, Bristol, BS1 5TX

Topher Campbell's film of the struggles and triumphs of black gay men in the UK.  The screening will be introduced by the director, Topher Campbell, with a Q&A session to follow.  Find out more about 'In this our lives' on the Watershed website.

Entry £3.50

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Recording of stories and memories

Tuesday 9 February, 12 - 2pm

The Council House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR

Recording of stories and memories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people - with Sarwat Siddiqui, Community History Curator.

Please let us know if you have any access requirements. If you require BSL interpreters please let us know as soon as possible.

Email: sarwat.siddiqui@bristol.gov.uk
Tel: 0117 352 5568 or 07808 485 905

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Edward Carpenter, a life of liberty and love

Tuesday 16 February, 7:30pm - 9pm

Bristol Central Library, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TL

A discussion introduced by Sheila Rowbotham.

Gay socialist writer Edward Carpenter had an extraordinary impact on the cultural and political landscape of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. An advocate of, among other causes, free love, recycling, nudism, women's suffrage and prison reform, Carpenter believed that a transformation in attitudes to personal relations and sexuality was central to any attempt to transform society on a larger scale. His work anticipated the sexual revolution of the 1960s and placed him at the epicenter of the literary culture of his day.

Sheila Rowbotham, Professor of Sociology from Manchester University, will talk about Carpenter’s life and ideas.

Copies of her biography of Carpenter; “Edward Carpenter, a life of liberty and love” will be on sale.

Tickets are free and will be limited to 100.  Advanced booking is advised.

For further information and to book places please contact: Denis Wise, Bristol City Council.
Tel: 0117 903 6443
Email: denis.wise@bristol.gov.uk

You can also book places at any Bristol library.

Organised jointly by Bristol LGB Forum and Bristol City Council Equalities Unit.

Read about Edward Carpenter on Wikipedia

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Exploring transgender and gender identities

Wednesday 17 February, 11:45am - 2pm

The Council House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR

The seminar will be delivered by Jay Stewart of Gendered Intelligence and will look at:

• Key terms and language
• What the law says
• Negotiating medical models of trans
• How we can make cultural and social interventions

Please let us know if you have any access or dietary requirements. If you require BSL interpreters please let us know as soon as possible.

If you would like to attend please contact the Equalities and Community Cohesion Team.
Email: equalities.team@bristol.gov.uk
Tel: 0117 922 2329

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Walking tour

Sunday 21 February, 2pm

Start 2pm, top of Corn Street, Bristol.  Finish by 3:45pm near a suitable cafe.

Take a stroll through the centre of town looking at some places where our history was made. It will include sites of women's history, as well as men's, with some surprises, such as a remarkably early key moment in the history of gender re-assignment.

£3 donation to LGBT History of Bristol.

Guide is Andy Foyle, historian and author. As numbers are limited, book your place to avoid disappointment:

Email: andyfoyle@blueyonder.co.uk
Tel: 0117 907 0784

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LGBT and faith - "Is religion bad for your (non-hetero) sexuality?"

Monday 22 February, 12 - 2pm

The Council House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR

A talk on LGBT and faith with Dr Stephen Hunt (Reader of Sociology and Religion, University of the West of England), author of 'Contemporary Christianity and LGBT sexualities'. The subject of LGBT sexuality issues will be discussed not only in relation to the contemporary Christian Church, but will also involve other religions, namely Islam and Hinduism. It will consider a number of supplementary issues related to the formation of identities both sexually and spirituality, the construction of theologies and world-views, the varying significance of LGBT sexualities, and a number of other themes.

Dr Hunt will also appear on BCfm's 'Face to Faith' programme on Monday 15 February at 3pm.

For further information on this free lunch-time event please contact: Adam Cutler, Bristol City Council.
Tel: 0117 903 7720
Email: adam.cutler@bristol.gov.uk 

 

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Gay Bristol in space and time

Tuesday 23 February, 6pm – 8pm

The Council House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR

'Gay Bristol in Space and Time' is an illustrated talk, looking at Bristol's gay movement and scene since the 1960s. Speaker is Robert Howes, Research Associate, King's College, London, who has written on LGBT history and literature.

This is an opportunity to share memories of the period; bring photographs and artifacts of the period to “show and tell”. Hot drinks and snacks on arrival. Generously funded by the Rainbow Group, Bristol City Council's LGBT employees Self-organised Group.

For further information please call 07802 422 091.

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What IS the LGBT story?
Fairness, accuracy and media coverage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues

Wednesday 24 February, 7 - 8.30pm

Watershed Media Centre, 1 Canon's Road, Bristol, BS1 5TX

Panel discussion including:

++++ NEW SPEAKERS CONFIRMED ++++

• Will Gore, Public Affairs Director, Press Complaints Commission
• Sian Norris, Representation of Women in the Media
• Lena Calvert, Equality Officer National Union of Journalists
• Mike Jempson, MediaWise
• Darryl Bullock, freelance journalist

Free entry.  Please book places in advance.

rainbow@bristol.gov.uk or 0117 922 2748
info@mediawise.org.uk or 0117 939 9333 (please leave name if answer phone)

What IS the LGBT Story? poster to print out and display.

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+++ Cancelled +++
Unfortunately this event is no longer taking place.  We apologise for any disappointment.

Creative writing workshop, with Paul Magrs

Thursday 25 February

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+++ Cancelled +++
Unfortunately this event is no longer taking place.  We apologise for any disappointment.

An evening with Paul Magrs

Thursday 25 February

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Contact details

For more information, or to tell us about your event:

Tony Pitt
Rainbow Group
Bristol City Council
Brunel House
St George's Road
Bristol
BS1 5UY

Tel: 0117 922 2748
Email: rainbow@bristol.gov.uk

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