Cheshire Archives and Local Studies LGBT+ history digital exhibition launched

Cheshire Archives and Local Studies has put together a digital exhibition ‘Hidden Histories’ documenting Cheshire’s LGBT+ history.

This  includes a curated set of oral history recordings on SoundCloud which give an insight into some of the experiences of LGBT+ people in Cheshire from the 1950s onwards.

Chester Pride should have taken place in August, which brings people together each year to celebrate and recognise the influence of LGBT+ people and raise awareness of current issues facing the LGBT+ community and beyond.

With Pride due to look very different this year, Cheshire Archives and Local Studies has taken the opportunity to celebrate Cheshire's LGBT+ heritage by means of this digital story.

• Access Hidden Histories
• Verbal history recordings

Councillor Paul Donovan, Cabinet Member for Democracy, Workforce and Localities, said: “I am delighted that we can highlight this great work from Cheshire Archives and Local Studies. It is so important that we raise awareness of and recognise the experiences of LGBT+ people in Cheshire over the years.

“It is clear that we have come a long way in LGBT+ equality, however we still have work to do. Cheshire West and Chester Council has always been a promoter of LGBT+ equality and we will continue to work with our partners going forward to promote LGBT+ inclusion across Cheshire.

The initial research and the recording of the oral histories were done as part of the ‘From Prejudice to Pride’ project, which was run by Body Positive Cheshire and North Wales, Silver Rainbows, and Brightlife. It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.