Young people are set to uncover the hidden history of North Tyneside’s LGBTQ community.
Thanks to a £49,700 National Lottery grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) the group of 14 to 25 year olds, themselves LGBTQ, will lead the project with children’s charity Barnardo’s.
As well as exploring links to changing attitudes, influences on North Tyneside’s social scene and the impact of national milestones over the past 60 years, the group aims to bridge the gap between themselves and previous generations by sharing their stories for the first time.
The group will delve into local archives, record interviews with older members of the LGBTQ community and share their findings online and as part of a touring exhibition. An archive will also be created at North Tyneside Libraries creating a lasting legacy of their heritage.
For the young people involved, the project is personal. By understanding the journey of the people who came before them, they hope to develop a stronger sense of belonging, identity and pride. By sharing their findings they also hope to raise awareness of the history and positive impact LGBTQ history has had on young people in North Tyneside.
- “Hearing what it used to be like makes me feel aggravated, livid, lucky I’ve grown up in a world where it (being LGBT) is acceptable in most countries.” – project participant.
- “Being bisexual, I’ve always felt that there just wasn’t enough in terms of services especially for young people. Personally out of this project I want a sense of belonging in our history, where did those before go, what did they do, how did they live? All questions which need to be answered. North Tyneside has a rich history and a strong LGBT+ presence so finally having this group is monumental to finding out what if anything existed before and what secrets of how they lived before.” Jack Stoker, project Peer Mentor.
- “I would like to find out what clubs and pubs people went to and how they met when it was against the law”project participant.
- “For me it’s good because it will help me to understand what life was like for my lesbian grandmother. To understand how she grew up in a society that didn’t understand or accept her lifestyle and who she is. I think it would be good to show people what the actual history of our community is and how we have grown and evolved.” Brandon Lee, project participant.
Made possible by National Lottery players, the project comes nearly a year after Barnardo’s created the So What?! @ The BASE LGBTQ group to give young people a space to share their ideas and get support from their peers. It is those young people who are the inspiration and driving force behind this project.
Ivor Crowther, Head of HLF North East, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, young people will uncover the hidden heritage of the LGBTQ community in North Tyneside and, for the first time, tell the stories of local people who paved the way to changing attitudes and influenced today’s social scene. We’re delighted to support this project and look forward to celebrating the group’s success.”