LGBT History Month Event Programme Announced

We are excited to be able to announce that the programme for this years afternoon of free events to mark LGBT History Month is now fully confirmed and up online!

LGBT_History_Month_2015_programme

All of the events are free and no booking is required.

The treats in store for Saturday 28th are as follows:

Man? Or Macaroni? Sexual Fluidity in the 18th Century

12.00-12:45

Join Assistant Curator of Sculpture, Danielle Thom, for an exploration of masculinity, nationalism and homoeroticism in 18th century Britain. Looking at sculptures, prints and other objects throughout the British Galleries, this talk will explore the impact of fashion, art and interiors on the construction of male sexuality between 1700 and 1800.

Voice through a Cloud

13:15-14:00

Assistant Curator of Prints, Zorian Clayton, leads a whistle-stop tour of the ceramics, glass, and silver galleries exploring curios, trinkets, and oddities in the V&A collection through the novels and aesthetic sensibilities of the writer and artist, Denton Welch (1915-1948). Including excerpts from his journals and first two novels, consider this a camp introduction to one of Britain’s most authentic literary personalities.

Under Your Nose film screening + Q&A

Seminar Room 1*, 14:30-16:45

25 years ago a group of activists came together with one aim – to open a centre for black lesbians and gay men in London. Against the backdrop of 1980’s politics, music and the burgeoning gay scene, Under Your Nose (90mins, 2014) celebrates those trailblazers and fearless human rights workers whose political and creative legacy is still apparent today. Followed by a Q&A with director Veronica Mckenzie.

* Please note that there is a maximum capacity of 40 for this screening, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time!

Ken. To be destroyed + film shorts

British Galleries Cinema, Level 4, 12:00-17:30

It was a family secret that Sara Davidmann’s uncle Ken (K) was trans*. The deletion of trans* life from the idealised family album is explored by the artist in a short projection (11 min, 2014) of her exhibition ‘Ken. To be destroyed’. [NB: You can read more about Davidmann’s discovery of this family history here]

Accompanied by a selection of queer film shorts from the vaults.

Last year’s event saw a large turnout, accompanied by a wonderful atmosphere of excited curiosity, as we came together to learn more about a variety of LGBTQ histories and listen to alternative ‘queer’ readings of the Museum and its collections. For those of you who were there, it would be great for you to join us again and for those of you for whom it will be a first time we look forward to welcoming you for some ‘queer explorations’.