York LGBT History Month 2017: Week Three!

This week, Rainbow Plaques is BACK! Join us on Saturday afternoon to make LGBT history visible in the streets of York. You can also enjoy free film screenings, fascinating talks and an activist t-shirt design workshop.

For a full list of all the events taking place throughout the month, see our programme.

Listings are colour-coded by type: Craft | Discussion | Exhibition | Film | Performance | Personal histories | Service | Social | Talk

Monday 13 February
Kate Bornstein is a Queer and Pleasant Danger: documentary screening | Film
18:00-19:45 | Fountains Lecture Theatre, Fountains Learning Centre, York St John University, Lord Mayor’s Walk, YO31 7EX

Transgender-dyke. Reluctant-polyamorist. Sadomasochist. Recovering-Scientologist. Pioneering gender outlaw.
Meet Auntie Kate. Trailblazing performance artist-theorist-activist Kate Bornstein takes us on a mind-bending quest through her world dismantling gender and seeking answers to the age-old question: what makes life worth living?
An award-winning documentary by director Sam Feder.

Organised by: York St John University
Tickets: Free from yorklgbthistory.org.uk/17/kate-bornstein
More information: Adam Stock and Kimberly Campanello (a.stock@yorksj.ac.uk) | katebornsteinthemovie.com

Accessibility: baby-changing; BSL/English interpretation; gender-neutral toilets; hearing loop; wheelchair access.

Monday 13 February
Queer Cabaret presents: Galentine’s Day | Social
20:00-00:00 | The Lounge (Roger Kirk Centre), James College, University of York. YO10 5DD

Queer cabaret comes to the University of York! There will be glitter, there will be drama and there will be heart (also cocktails). Recognising the need for intersectional LGBT liberation, this event showcases feminist and queer acts, including live music, spoken word, drag performances and more.

Organised by: York Graduate Students’ Association
Tickets: Free, but £2 suggested donation to York LGBT History Month.
More information: Annis Stead (as799@york.ac.uk)

Accessibility: baby-changing; gender-neutral toilets; wheelchair access.

Wednesday 15 February
Sexposé | Discussion
19:00 | PX001, Physics and Exhibition Centre, University of York, YO10 5DD

The yearly sex-positive panel show between the LGBTQ, Womens’ and Fetish Societies at the University of York.

Organised by: University of York Students’ Union LGBTQ Network, University of York Students’ Union Women’s Network, Fetsoc York
Tickets: Free from lgbtq@yusu.org
More information: Jaz Millar (lgbtq@yusu.org)

Accessibility: baby-changing; hearing loop; wheelchair access.

Thursday 16 February
Mind Your Head discussion group | Discussion
17:30-18:30 | James Lodge, James College, University of York, YO10 5DD

University of York Students’ Union and the GSA combine with Mind Your Head to bring you a chaired discussion group around mental health in the LGBTQ community. Topics may include: coming out, loneliness, coping with harassment etc.

Organised by: York Graduate Students’ Association
Tickets: Not required
More information: Annis Stead (as799@york.ac.uk) | yorkgsa.org

Accessibility: gender-neutral toilets; wheelchair access.

Thursday 16 February
Zine workshop | Craft
18:00-20:00 | Yorkshire MESMAC York office, The Workshop, Marygate Lane (off Marygate), YO30 7BJ

Join York Queer Women’s and Gender Group to make zines inspired by LGBT History Month.

Organised by: York Queer Women’s and Gender Group
Tickets: Not required
More information: Jess Wynn (j.wynn@mesmac.co.uk | 07710 099028 | 01904 620400) | facebook.com/QueerWomenYorkshireMesmac

Accessibility: gender-neutral toilets; wheelchair access.

Thursday 16 February
Going to Strasbourg: oral history accounts of sexual orientation discrimination and the European Court of Human Rights | Talk
18:15-20:15 | P/T/006, Physics and Exhibition Centre, University of York, YO10 5DD

In this talk, Paul Johnson (Professor of Sociology, University of York) draws upon oral history interviews conducted with LGBT people who have challenged discrimination in the UK by making applications to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Understanding the role of the ECtHR in safeguarding LGBT rights is vital at a time when the Conservative Party and other politicians advocate the UK weakening its ties with Strasbourg.

Organised by: University of York
Tickets: Free from equality@york.ac.uk
More information: Chris Brunt (equality@york.ac.uk)

Accessibility: baby-changing; BSL/English interpretation on request; hearing loop; wheelchair access.

Friday 17 February
What does LGBT community mean today? | Talk
18:15-19:45 | The Treehouse, Berrick Saul Building, University of York, YO10 5DD

Eleanor Formby of Sheffield Hallam University will draw on her research to discuss what LGBT community means to people. This will include examining: ‘ownership’ of community; ‘difference’ and diversity; relationships to, within and beyond physical space; imagined communities and belongings; the importance of ‘ritual’ events and symbols, such as Pride and the rainbow flag. Within this, the impact of history and current social contexts will be explored. Overall, the talk will highlight what connects ‘people like us’ across time and space.

Organised by: York LGBT History Month
Tickets: Not required
More information: Eleanor Formby (e.formby@shu.ac.uk)

Accessibility: gender-neutral toilets; wheelchair access.

Saturday 18 February
York’s LGBT history: make your own rainbow plaque | Personal histories
13:00-16:30 | Garden Room, York Explore Library and Archives, Library Square, Museum Street, YO1 7DS

There are over seventy blue plaques around York commemorating famous people or events. To celebrate York LGBT History Month 2017, we invite you to create your own rainbow plaques to mark places of personal and/or political significance to LGBT history. Drop into Explore York between 13:00 and 15:00 to make your own removeable cardboard plaque. After 15:00, we’ll distribute them around the city. If you arrive after 15:00, we’ll leave contact details at Explore so you can find out how to join us en route. If you can’t make it, please feel free to email us in advance and we’ll create your plaque!

Organised by: York’s Alternative History
Tickets: Not required
More information: Helen Graham (yorkalternativehistory@gmail.com)

Accessibility: baby-changing; gender-neutral toilets; hearing loop; wheelchair access.

Sunday 19 February – UPDATED
T-shirt workshop | Craft
14:00-17:00 | Yorkshire MESMAC York office, The Workshop, Marygate Lane (off Marygate), YO30 7BJ

Throughout history, queer activists have spread their messages and shown their pride through slogan t-shirts. This workshop, led by Riah Holm, will give you the chance to create your own. Bring a t-shirt or anything else you’d like to decorate. We’ll have art materials and some pictures of historical t-shirts for inspiration. There is a small charge for this event to cover the cost of materials. No need to book, just pay on the door.

Organised by: York LGBT History Month
Tickets: £2 on the door. No booking required.
More information: Kit Heyam (info@yorklgbthistory.org.uk)

Accessibility: gender-neutral toilets; wheelchair access.