This LGBTQ+ History Month, we are taking a closer look at our Lavender Labels, a stand-out addition to our Scottish Design Galleries.
In 2022, our LGBTQ+ Network felt that the galleries could better reflect the stories and contributions of LGBTQ+ people to the story of Scottish Design. Working alongside our curators, the group started to delve into the queer histories and connections sparked by some of the objects within our Scottish Design Galleries.
A workshop in April 2022 brought together academics and community groups from Scotland’s LGBTQ+ communities. After exploring the galleries, they discussed which objects spoke to people and how they could be reinterpreted to explore LGBTQ+ stories.
This workshop informed further research by the museum’s LGBTQ+ Network leading to the development of Queer Tours of the gallery, and the introduction of Lavender Labels. The labels have been co-written by the LGBTQ+ Network alongside curator Meredith More and the project advisors: Keava McMillan, Glyn Davis, Jeff Meek and OurStory Scotland.
Our LGBTQ+ Network decided on the colour lavender due to the powerful history it holds in the LGBTQ+ community, which one of our advisors Keava McMillan delves into further here.
Keep an eye out for the Lavender Labels when exploring our Scottish Design Galleries, see an example below.
The objects explore themes such as joy, protest, chosen families and publishing. We also wanted to shine a light on healthcare too as this year's LGBTQ+ History Month theme is medicine and designer and illustrator, Cat Laird, reflected on the role design can play in tackling public health crises, which you can read here.
In November 2023, our curators introduced new objects, growing the collection of queer objects within our galleries. Here's some highlight objects:
The Take Care campaign launched by Lothian Health Board and Lothian Regional Council. c. 1988 - 1997
The Take Care campaign was launched in 1989 in response to Edinburgh experiencing nearly seven times the national average of HIV and AIDS infection rates. This was mainly due to high levels of intravenous drug use. HIV and AIDS campaigns had previously used negative imagery to elicit fear such as tombstones. The Take Care campaign was vibrant and encouraged people to “take care of the ones you love” through making different choices, illustrating how AIDS affects everyone. This messaging diverted resources from the gay male community and LGBTQ+ organisations continued to support members of their community affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Pink Paper Placard and Free our Libraries. March 1995, Glasgow Women's Library.
The Lesbian Avengers were a protest group founded in 1992 in New York. They created visually impactful actions to campaign for lesbian visibility and rights. The Lesbian Avenger Handbook offered guidance on how to design a protest; every action had to be different and fun, but visually cohesive. Branches of the Lesbian Avengers spread internationally - these placards are from a Section 28 (Section 2A in Scotland) protest in Glasgow in 1995. The protest was sparked in reaction to a ban by a public library on selling the Pink Paper (1987-2012), an LGBTQ+ publication. The Glasgow Lesbian Avengers were instrumental in the reversal of this ban.
Lavender Menace bookshop sign
Opening in Edinburgh in 1982, Lavender Menace was Scotland’s first lesbian and gay community bookshop. It provided a space where LGBTQ+ people could safely meet each other and discover queer stories and histories. It featured a strong, lavender visual identity which has been used throughout queer history and the LGBTQ+ rights movement. This sign was made by hand and slotted over the railings in front of the shop, it was removed each night to help secure it from vandalism. Lavender Menace still operates today as Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive, the only archive in the UK dedicated to preserving LGBTQ+ literature.
Ensemble designed by Fancy Boy (Harry Whitham), worn by Cheryl Hole in Ru Paul's Drag Race Vs The World, 2022
Fancy Boy is the artistic alter ego of Harry Whitham who was born in Shetland. Whitham worked his way through London’s theatres; as a dresser, wardrobe assistant, sewer, and maker. He now designs and makes bespoke costumes for some of the UK’s most well-known drag queens. This look features flowers of the UK nations; the Scottish thistle, English rose, Welsh daffodil and Northern Irish flax flower. It was worn by drag queen Cheryl Hole for the Finale Runway of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World 2022.
Can't make it to the museum in person? Take a look at our ThingLink resource where you can virtually explore our galleries and learn more about our Lavender Labels.
Let us know, what's your favourite object?