Admittedly, LGBTQ history month has usually come and gone with almost nothing happening in my hometown. Living in London has given me a new perspective on the month, being surrounded not only by diverse LGBTQ history but also so much of it.
I'm studying English and History, currently in my second year, and I've recently become obsessed with museums and galleries. I'm trying to go to all the exhibitions I can find before they all become crowded and hot this summer. I spend my time writing, making music, cooking or lazing with my cat outside of studying.
Admittedly, LGBTQ history month has usually come and gone with almost nothing happening in my hometown. Living in London has given me a new perspective on the month, being surrounded not only by diverse LGBTQ history but also so much of it. Though not perfect, I appreciate the wide scope of celebration for LGBTQ history across London and want to appreciate it for however long I stay here. For me personally, I've been reading Staceyann Chin's memoir, exploring her sexuality and upbringing. In reading memoirs from even just a few decades ago, I find I can better reflect on the progress made socially and recognise some of the stagnation I otherwise wouldn't have noticed.
Bishopsgate Institute near Liverpool Street Station
I think it's important to support institutions which promote queer history all year round, and would recommend visiting places such as the Bishopsgate Institute or Queer Britain. The amount of history preserved in their archival records and collections respectively explore a range of queer history, plus entry is free.
LGBTQ Media Recommendations
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Saving Face dir. Alice Wu
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The Watermelon Woman dir. Cheryl Dunye
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Yellowjackets (Prime Video)
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Portrait of a Young Girl at the End of the 60s in Brussels dir. Chantal Akerman
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The Handmaiden dir. Park Chan-Wook
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@verilybitchie (YouTube)
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Queen Christina dir. Ruben Mamoulian
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The Queen dir. Frank Simonn