About

What is LGBT(Q) History and where do we stand? History Postgraduates and LGBT History

Wednesday 7th November, 10.30 to 17.00 and 18.00 to 20.00

Thursday 8th November, 9.30 to 17.00
Queen Mary, University of London. Tube: Mile End
Rooms: GO Jones Building, 6.02 / Francis Bancroft 2.40
 

Decades have passed since the first published histories examining aspects of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex or queer life, or analysing social movements made up by LGBTIQ people. Historical work on LGBT or queer “issues” is now more accepted in the academy than ever before, and has enriched our knowledge enormously. However, postgraduate historians working on LGBT research topics – at least in the UK – have no recognisable network to call upon, lack any clear idea of what this “generation” of researchers' agenda, approach and methodology might be, and many academics and researchers appear curiously aloof from community projects such as LGBT History Month.

This conference brings together postgraduate historians and early-career researchers working on diverse aspects of LGBT or Q history. We will highlight and discuss the range of topics and methodological approaches being pursued by this generation of researchers; to consider the intersections and differences between historical work on L, G, B, T and Q topics, and to explore how LGBTQ history relates to wider narratives, and the modern historical profession.

Eighteen papers by postgraduate and early career researchers will be presented during the day on Wednesday 7th and 8th November, arranged in six panels:

• LGBT(Q) Narrators and Oral History
• National Identities and LGBTQ Memory
• The Queer Challenge
• Exchange & Activism
• Discourses of the Body
• Marginalisations and Identities

Geographically, the papers encompass Canada, England, Israel, Palestine, Scotland, Singapore, Uganda, the US and West Germany. The programme allows plenty of time for discussion on both the strengths and weaknesses in the coverage of topics, issues and methodologies embodied in the conference, and future directions in LGBT(Q) History.

Evening Panel Event

There will also be a panel event on the evening of Wednesday 7th, which will explore the definitional, political & activist implications of “LGBT(Q) History”, how LGBT(Q) History relates to wider historical narratives, and how researchers might better engage with LGBT History Month and community history. Chaired by Sue Sanders, co-chair of LGBT History Month & Schools Out, the panel will also feature:

• Lindsay River, LGBT community activist and previously director of Polari
• Laura Doan, Professor of Cultural History and Sexuality Studies, University of Manchester and author of Fashioning Sapphism: The Origins of a Modern English Lesbian Culture
• Julian Jackson, Professor of Modern French History, Queen Mary, and author of Living in Arcadia: Homosexuality, Politics and Morality in France from the Liberation to AIDS. 

The event is free and open to all. Registration is unfortunately now closed for the papers during the day although there is a reserve list. Registration for the evening panel event is separate. For more information, to register and for programme details, please see the rest of this website. The conference is kindly supported by Queen Mary, University ofLondon, LGBT History Month, the German History Society, and the Royal Historical Society.

 

For more information please email the co-organisers:

Craig Griffiths - c.griffiths[at]qmul.ac.uk

Charles Smith - c.smith4[at]lboro.ac.uk

 A PDF version of our original call for papers can be downloaded here.