Exhibition celebrating local LGBT+ histories to be showcased in Stoke-on-Trent libraries

Photographs, archive material and personal stories celebrating the lives and contributions of LGBT+ people across North Staffordshire are being showcased in Stoke-on-Trent libraries as part of the Always Here heritage project.

THE SIGNAL BRIEF

What’s new: The Always Here exhibition is being displayed at City Central Library in Hanley and Stoke Library this autumn.

Why it matters: The project records and shares the experiences, achievements and contributions of LGBT+ people across North Staffordshire.

Worth knowing: The project was produced by GRAIN Projects with The North Midlands LGBT+ Older Peoples Group, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.

Always Here highlights the stories of people who have made a significant contribution to North Staffordshire, including in culture, industry, education, healthcare, social care, housing, retail, engineering, politics and community life.

The exhibition brings together photographs, archive material and personal stories that reflect the experiences of LGBT+ people in North Staffordshire.

Through workshops – hosted in the city’s libraries - interviews, photography sessions and oral history projects, participants shared memories, experiences and important moments from their lives.

The exhibition will be on display at:

• City Central Library, Hanley until 30 November
• Stoke Library until 16 November

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty, governance and corporate services, said: "Our libraries are for everyone. They’re places where people can explore local history, discover new perspectives and learn more about the people and experiences that have shaped North Staffordshire.

"The photographs, archive material and personal stories featured in this exhibition highlight the lives, achievements and contributions of LGBT+ people from across our area.

“We're pleased to make this exhibition available in our libraries, giving people from across North Staffordshire the opportunity to learn more about these stories and the area's rich and diverse heritage."

Maurice Greenham, Chair and Founder of OLGBT said: “This project is a lasting legacy that documents the personal stories and oral histories of the LGBT+ community in the region. Together we have created a heritage project about LGBT+ identity, people and places in Stoke-on-Trent and the North Midlands.

“We are so delighted that major cultural spaces in the city are collaborating with us to exhibit the work, namely, the New Vic Theatre, Spode Museum, Stoke and Hanley libraries. We are also proud that the series of exhibitions will be accompanied by a beautifully designed and printed book that gives a public airing of a project that speaks of individual identities, lived experience and connections in Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire.

The project was produced by GRAIN Projects in partnership with The North Midlands LGBT+ Older Peoples Group, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.

GRAIN Projects CIC

GRAIN Projects specialises in photography, community engagement and heritage. All of the projects we are involved in are socially engaged and collaborative. Photography is for everyone and is a very powerful tool to share with and benefit communities. We work with diverse communities on issues relating to identity and representation and ensure the work is accessible, shared publicly and achieves legacy. We have a strong track record and in the past few years have worked on a range of projects that use photography to engage with communities, heritage and societal issues. www.grainphotographyhub.co.uk @grain_projects

Older LGBT+ Peoples Group (OLGBT)

OLGBT is a Stoke-on-Trent based charity which was set up to promote social inclusion for the public benefit of older people who are socially excluded on the grounds of their gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation (in particular lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people). The charity aims to meet the needs of such people and assist them to fully participate in society. Our key objectives are to provide a local network group that encourages and enables LGBT+ people to participate more effectively with the wider community and to increase and coordinate opportunities for LGBT+ people to engage with service providers. OLGBT is a friendly group of local older LGBT+ people who support each other through regular meetings and social activities. www.olgbtstoke.org.uk

“The North Midlands LGBT Older People’s Group gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the National Lottrery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England; without whose backing, none of this would have been possible. The North Midlands LGBT Older Peoples Group is proud of its partnership with GRAIN Projects which has now come to fruition. The photography and heritage project ‘ALWAYS HERE’, has drawn on the sensitive insight of the acclaimed photographer Ming de Nasty, who has produced poignant portraits of local LGBT+ people so that we can share our heritage.

“Thanks to the expertise and hard work of the entire GRAIN team, members of the LGBT+ older people’s group and local LGBT+ people from across the region for all their contributions.”

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