Sharley McLean - Revision history

LGBT-HP: Fix bare tag: MW 1.45.1 Cite requires self-closing

2026-07-10T13:10:28Z

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	==References==		==References==
	<references>		<references/>

	[[Category:Campaigners]]		[[Category:Campaigners]]
	[[Category:1923 births]]		[[Category:1923 births]]
	[[Category:2013 deaths]]		[[Category:2013 deaths]]

Ross Burgess at 07:59, 29 April 2014

2014-04-29T07:59:19Z

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	Since 1939 Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]], which she described as "the University of the Working Classes",<ref name=semple /> and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref>		Since 1939 Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]], which she described as "the University of the Working Classes",<ref name=semple /> and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref>

			:"Every Sunday afternoon without fail for over 20 years she and a small group of lesbians and gays …would go to Speakers’ Corner with a step-ladder and brave the hecklers. I went along with them once and had a go at speaking. I lasted 2 minutes. Absolutely terrifying. But Sharley just kept going."<ref>http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/sharley-maclean-1923-2013/ item by [[Peter Scott-Presland]], quoted on the [[LGBT History Month]] website (with a couple of spelling mistakes)</ref>

	In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].<ref>http://outrage.org.uk/1997/11/queer-remembrance-day/ Outrage!</ref>		In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].<ref>http://outrage.org.uk/1997/11/queer-remembrance-day/ Outrage!</ref>

	At Sharley's request, there was no funeral or memorial service for her, and ~~hre~~ ashes were scattered at Speakers Corner.<ref name=semple>Personal communication from David Semple</ref>		At Sharley's request, there was no funeral or memorial service for her, and her ashes were scattered at Speakers Corner.<ref name=semple>Personal communication from David Semple</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Ross Burgess at 07:46, 29 April 2014

2014-04-29T07:46:37Z

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	In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways club]], but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].<ref name=guardian />		In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways club]], but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].<ref name=guardian />

	Since 1939 Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]], which she described as "the University of the Working Classes",<ref name=semple> and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref>		Since 1939 Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]], which she described as "the University of the Working Classes",<ref name=semple /> and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref>

	In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].<ref>http://outrage.org.uk/1997/11/queer-remembrance-day/ Outrage!</ref>		In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].<ref>http://outrage.org.uk/1997/11/queer-remembrance-day/ Outrage!</ref>

Ross Burgess at 07:45, 29 April 2014

2014-04-29T07:45:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:45, 29 April 2014
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	In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways club]], but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].<ref name=guardian />		In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways club]], but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].<ref name=guardian />

	Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]] ~~since 1939~~, and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref> In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].<ref>http://outrage.org.uk/1997/11/queer-remembrance-day/ Outrage!</ref>		Since 1939 Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]], which she described as "the University of the Working Classes",<ref name=semple> and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref>

			In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].<ref>http://outrage.org.uk/1997/11/queer-remembrance-day/ Outrage!</ref>

			At Sharley's request, there was no funeral or memorial service for her, and hre ashes were scattered at Speakers Corner.<ref name=semple>Personal communication from David Semple</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Ross Burgess at 09:23, 17 April 2014

2014-04-17T09:23:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:23, 17 April 2014
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	:"When Lewisham Hospital was bombed, we all shared rooms and even beds because the rooms were so small. We were together; we cuddled each other without giving it a second thought. I think we were naive sexually. One staff nurse would say there were two ward sisters who were 'homosexual ladies'. They used to tell people they weren't married because their boyfriends were killed in the First World War. I remember we used to look at them with curiosity. Ridiculous when you think how naive one was."<ref>http://transpont.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/sharley-mclean-refugee-at-lewisham.html Transpontine blog, quoting from ''Inventing Ourselves: Lesbian Life Stories'' (Routledge, 1989)</ref>		:"When Lewisham Hospital was bombed, we all shared rooms and even beds because the rooms were so small. We were together; we cuddled each other without giving it a second thought. I think we were naive sexually. One staff nurse would say there were two ward sisters who were 'homosexual ladies'. They used to tell people they weren't married because their boyfriends were killed in the First World War. I remember we used to look at them with curiosity. Ridiculous when you think how naive one was."<ref>http://transpont.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/sharley-mclean-refugee-at-lewisham.html Transpontine blog, quoting from ''Inventing Ourselves: Lesbian Life Stories'' (Routledge, 1989)</ref>

	She realised later that some of the women she worked with ~~wer~~ lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>		She realised later that some of the women she worked with were lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>

	In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways club]], but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].<ref name=guardian />		In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways club]], but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].<ref name=guardian />

Ross Burgess at 09:08, 17 April 2014

2014-04-17T09:08:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:08, 17 April 2014
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	She realised later that some of the women she worked with wer lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>		She realised later that some of the women she worked with wer lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>

	In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways]] ~~club~~, but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].<ref name=guardian />		In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways club]], but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].<ref name=guardian />

	Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]] since 1939, and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref> In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].<ref>http://outrage.org.uk/1997/11/queer-remembrance-day/ Outrage!</ref>		Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]] since 1939, and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref> In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].<ref>http://outrage.org.uk/1997/11/queer-remembrance-day/ Outrage!</ref>

Ross Burgess at 08:37, 17 April 2014

2014-04-17T08:37:03Z

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	[[File:Sharley-McLean-pictured-on-Queer-Rembrance-Day.jpg\|thumb\|Sharley McLean on Queer Remembrance Day 1997]]'''Sharley McLean''', 1923–2013, was a long-standing gay rights campaigner.		[[File:Sharley-McLean-pictured-on-Queer-Rembrance-Day.jpg\|thumb\|Sharley McLean on Queer Remembrance Day 1997]]'''Sharley McLean''', 1923–2013, was a long-standing gay rights campaigner.

	She was born Lotte Reyersbach in Germany in 1923. Her socialist father and Jewish mother both died in the Holocaust, but she managed to escape Britain in 1939, in one of the last "Kindertransport" ships ~~which~~ were ~~allowedto~~ leave Germany before the Nazis closed the borders. Her gay uncle, Kurt Bach, a left-wing activist, was arrested by the Gestapo in a gay bar in Berlin in 1937, and died wearing the [[pink triangle]] in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.<ref>http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/10/28/lgbt-campaigner-and-holocaust-survivor-sharley-mclean-dies-aged-90/ ''Pink News''</ref>		She was born Lotte Reyersbach in Germany in 1923. Her socialist father and Jewish mother both died in the Holocaust, but she managed to escape Britain in 1939, in one of the last "Kindertransport" ships that were allowed to leave Germany before the Nazis closed the borders. Her gay uncle, Kurt Bach, a left-wing activist, was arrested by the Gestapo in a gay bar in Berlin in 1937, and died wearing the [[pink triangle]] in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.<ref>http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/10/28/lgbt-campaigner-and-holocaust-survivor-sharley-mclean-dies-aged-90/ ''Pink News''</ref>

	During the war Sharley worked as a nurse at Lewisham hospital, but suffered abuse for her German nationality; she was able to fit in better when she acquired a British surname by marrying the socialist Allen McLean. At the time of her marriage she had feelings for other women, but had no name for this.		During the war Sharley worked as a nurse at Lewisham hospital, but suffered abuse for her German nationality; she was able to fit in better when she acquired a British surname by marrying the socialist Allen McLean. At the time of her marriage she had feelings for other women, but had no name for this.
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	She realised later that some of the women she worked with wer lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>		She realised later that some of the women she worked with wer lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>

	In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways]] club, but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].		In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways]] club, but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].<ref name=guardian />

	Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]] since 1939, and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref> In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].		Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]] since 1939, and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref> In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].<ref>http://outrage.org.uk/1997/11/queer-remembrance-day/ Outrage!</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Ross Burgess at 08:33, 17 April 2014

2014-04-17T08:33:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:33, 17 April 2014
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	'''Sharley McLean''', 1923–2013, was a long-standing gay rights campaigner.		[[File:Sharley-McLean-pictured-on-Queer-Rembrance-Day.jpg\|thumb\|Sharley McLean on Queer Remembrance Day 1997]]'''Sharley McLean''', 1923–2013, was a long-standing gay rights campaigner.

	She was born Lotte Reyersbach in Germany in 1923. Her socialist father and Jewish mother both died in the Holocaust, but she managed to escape Britain in 1939, in one of the last ~~transports of children allowed to~~ leave Germany before the Nazis closed the borders. Her gay uncle, Kurt Bach, a left-wing activist, was arrested by the Gestapo in a gay bar in Berlin in 1937, and died wearing the [[pink triangle]] in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.<ref>http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/10/28/lgbt-campaigner-and-holocaust-survivor-sharley-mclean-dies-aged-90/ ''Pink News''</ref>		She was born Lotte Reyersbach in Germany in 1923. Her socialist father and Jewish mother both died in the Holocaust, but she managed to escape Britain in 1939, in one of the last "Kindertransport" ships which were allowedto leave Germany before the Nazis closed the borders. Her gay uncle, Kurt Bach, a left-wing activist, was arrested by the Gestapo in a gay bar in Berlin in 1937, and died wearing the [[pink triangle]] in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.<ref>http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/10/28/lgbt-campaigner-and-holocaust-survivor-sharley-mclean-dies-aged-90/ ''Pink News''</ref>

	During the war Sharley worked as a nurse at Lewisham hospital, but suffered abuse for her German nationality; she was able to fit in better when she acquired a British surname by marrying the socialist Allen McLean. At the time of her marriage she had feelings for other women, but had no name for this.		During the war Sharley worked as a nurse at Lewisham hospital, but suffered abuse for her German nationality; she was able to fit in better when she acquired a British surname by marrying the socialist Allen McLean. At the time of her marriage she had feelings for other women, but had no name for this.
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	In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways]] club, but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].		In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways]] club, but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].

	Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]] since 1939, and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref>		Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]] since 1939, and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref> In November 1997 she was the keynote speaker at the [[Queer Remembrance Day]] at the Cenotaph, organised by [[Outrage!]].

	==References==		==References==

Ross Burgess at 08:18, 17 April 2014

2014-04-17T08:18:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:18, 17 April 2014
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	She was born Lotte Reyersbach in Germany in 1923. Her socialist father and Jewish mother both died in the Holocaust, but she managed to escape Britain in 1939, in one of the last transports of children allowed to leave Germany before the Nazis closed the borders. Her gay uncle, Kurt Bach, a left-wing activist, was arrested by the Gestapo in a gay bar in Berlin in 1937, and died wearing the [[pink triangle]] in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.<ref>http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/10/28/lgbt-campaigner-and-holocaust-survivor-sharley-mclean-dies-aged-90/ ''Pink News''</ref>		She was born Lotte Reyersbach in Germany in 1923. Her socialist father and Jewish mother both died in the Holocaust, but she managed to escape Britain in 1939, in one of the last transports of children allowed to leave Germany before the Nazis closed the borders. Her gay uncle, Kurt Bach, a left-wing activist, was arrested by the Gestapo in a gay bar in Berlin in 1937, and died wearing the [[pink triangle]] in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.<ref>http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/10/28/lgbt-campaigner-and-holocaust-survivor-sharley-mclean-dies-aged-90/ ''Pink News''</ref>

	During the war Sharley worked as a nurse at Lewisham hospital, but suffered abuse for her German nationality; she was able to fit in better when she acquired a British surname by ~~marriage~~. At the time of her marriage she had feelings for other women, but had no name for this.		During the war Sharley worked as a nurse at Lewisham hospital, but suffered abuse for her German nationality; she was able to fit in better when she acquired a British surname by marrying the socialist Allen McLean. At the time of her marriage she had feelings for other women, but had no name for this.

	:"When Lewisham Hospital was bombed, we all shared rooms and even beds because the rooms were so small. We were together; we cuddled each other without giving it a second thought. I think we were naive sexually. One staff nurse would say there were two ward sisters who were 'homosexual ladies'. They used to tell people they weren't married because their boyfriends were killed in the First World War. I remember we used to look at them with curiosity. Ridiculous when you think how naive one was."<ref>http://transpont.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/sharley-mclean-refugee-at-lewisham.html Transpontine blog, ~~quotinf~~ from ''Inventing Ourselves: Lesbian Life Stories'' (Routledge, 1989)</ref>		:"When Lewisham Hospital was bombed, we all shared rooms and even beds because the rooms were so small. We were together; we cuddled each other without giving it a second thought. I think we were naive sexually. One staff nurse would say there were two ward sisters who were 'homosexual ladies'. They used to tell people they weren't married because their boyfriends were killed in the First World War. I remember we used to look at them with curiosity. Ridiculous when you think how naive one was."<ref>http://transpont.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/sharley-mclean-refugee-at-lewisham.html Transpontine blog, quoting from ''Inventing Ourselves: Lesbian Life Stories'' (Routledge, 1989)</ref>

	She realised later that some of the women she worked with wer lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>		She realised later that some of the women she worked with wer lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>

	She ~~carried on working~~ in the ~~NHS until she retired~~, and ~~became involved~~ with the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]] ~~in the 1980s~~.		In 1950, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, a psychologist told her she was a lesbian, which came as quite a shock. She tried visiting the [[Gateways]] club, but didn't feel she fitted in there. In 1953 she began a long-term relationship with a West Indian woman, Georgina, but continued living with Allen for the sake of the children. Georgina died in 1977, having kept her sexuality secret, and Sharley was not allowed to attend the funeral. She then threw herself into politican activism with the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] (CHE) and later the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]].

	Sharley ~~was also a long-time activist in~~ the [[~~Campaign for Homosexual Equality~~]] (~~CHE)~~.		Sharley had been regularly listening to the speeches at [[Speakers' Corner]] since 1939, and it was there that she had met her husband. In the 1980s she started speaking there herself, on the “Hyde Parks Gays and Sapphics” platform, which she co-founded. They tried to demystify homosexuality, educate people about HIV and support gay people who had little understanding from those around them.<ref>http://soundsfromthepark.on-the-record.org.uk/people/sharley-mclean/ Sounds from the Park (with a recording of Sharley speaking at Speakers' Corner.</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Ross Burgess at 08:01, 17 April 2014

2014-04-17T08:01:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:01, 17 April 2014
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	During the war Sharley worked as a nurse at Lewisham hospital, but suffered abuse for her German nationality; she was able to fit in better when she acquired a British surname by marriage. At the time of her marriage she had feelings for other women, but had no name for this.		During the war Sharley worked as a nurse at Lewisham hospital, but suffered abuse for her German nationality; she was able to fit in better when she acquired a British surname by marriage. At the time of her marriage she had feelings for other women, but had no name for this.

	:"When Lewisham Hospital was bombed, we all shared rooms and even beds because the rooms were so small. We were together; we cuddled each other without giving it a second thought. I think we were naive sexually. One staff nurse would say there were two ward sisters who were 'homosexual ladies'. They used to tell people they weren't married because their boyfriends were killed in the First World War. I remember we used to look at them with curiosity. Ridiculous when you think how naive one was."<ref>http://transpont.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/sharley-mclean-refugee-at-lewisham.html Transpontine blog.</ref>		:"When Lewisham Hospital was bombed, we all shared rooms and even beds because the rooms were so small. We were together; we cuddled each other without giving it a second thought. I think we were naive sexually. One staff nurse would say there were two ward sisters who were 'homosexual ladies'. They used to tell people they weren't married because their boyfriends were killed in the First World War. I remember we used to look at them with curiosity. Ridiculous when you think how naive one was."<ref>http://transpont.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/sharley-mclean-refugee-at-lewisham.html Transpontine blog, quotinf from ''Inventing Ourselves: Lesbian Life Stories'' (Routledge, 1989)</ref>

	She realised later that some of the women she worked with wer lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>		She realised later that some of the women she worked with wer lesbians. When one of them told her: "You're one of us, you know," she interpreted this as meaning she could pass for British, and took it as a huge compliment.<ref name=guardian>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/05/sharley-mclean-obituary David Semple, Sharley McLean obituary, ''The Guardian'', 5 November 2013</ref>

	She carried on working in the NHS until she retired, and became involved with the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]] in the 1980s.		She carried on working in the NHS until she retired, and became involved with the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]] in the 1980s.