This Project in the press
This page records the media articles that have been published about this site: The LGBT History Project.
Gay Star News
23 November 2011
New gay history wiki wants your memories
LGBT History Project launches wikimedia memory site
BY TRIS REID-SMITH
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/new-gay-history-wiki-wants-your-memories
Diva Magazine
29 November 2011
LGBT HISTORY PROJECT LAUNCHES AT LONDON’S OVAL
The LGBT History Project was launched at London's Kia Oval Cricket Ground, yesterday.
Peter Lloyd
Using Wikipedia's own software,users were invited to log on and enter stories, memories and knowledge of British LGB&T life.
Suggested topics include arts, sport, business, health, press, people and pubs and clubs.
This new site has already attracted entries about crime, politics and legislation, as well as one contributor specialising in bisexual culture, and another in South London's gay groups.
The site aims to records social memories of our day, the nations changing attitudes to same-same relationships and notable people in history that LGB and Trans people can draw upon as role models.
One fascinating article is about "The Ladies of Llangollen", two noble women who lived together as a married couple and dressed as men in 1780s Wales. They became so famous they were visited by the Duke of Welling, Josiah Wedgwood, William Wordsworth, Shelly, Byron and Walter Scott to name but a few. They were also painted by famous artists of their day. One portrait hangs in the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff and their house in Plas Newydd is open to the public.
The site is looking for people from all over the country to record what they remember and know of their experience.
Founder, Jonathan Harbourne said "it's great that attitudes towards homosexuality are becoming more acceptable in many places in Britain. In another 10 or 20 years, I don't want people to forget the struggle and the fight that won us our equalities and freedoms. But I don't want it to be all doom-and-gloom either - as a perceived minority we not only stood out against injustice, but often shone out, we often led the way in music and clubs, we celebrated our differences with the word 'Pride' becoming synonymous with being LGB&T, and we stuck together during the health crisis we faced raising millions of pounds.
"This makes our culture creative, generous and supportive. My aim is that this site becomes an history "time capsule", a resource to people and academics in years to come."
Open days at libraries and academic institutions are being planned for LGBT History Month, February 2012.
These interactive workshops will introduce people to doing research and examining 'primary sources', and how to write articles for the wiki. People are also encouraged to record their coming out stories - the reactions of friends and families. The new wikimedia web site is devoted to British LGB & Trans history: www.LGBThistoryUK.org
Click the link to see the full article http://www.divamag.co.uk/category/news/lgbt-history-project-launches-at-london's-oval-(1).aspx
Gay Games Blog
26 November 2011
Sports connection for UK LGBT History Project wiki
Click the link to see the full article http://gaygamesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/sports-connection-for-uk-lgbt-history.html
Queer UK
26 November 2011
The LGBT History Project was launched yesterday at the prelaunch event for LGBT History Month at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground. The new wikimedia web site is devoted to British LGB & Trans history: www.LGBThistoryUK.org
Using Wikipedia's own software, everyone is invited to log on and enter stories, memories and knowledge of British LGB&T life. Suggested topics include arts, sport, business, health, press, people and pubs and clubs. This new site has already attracted entries about crime, politics and legislation, as well as one contributor specialising in bisexual culture, and another in South London's gay groups. The site aims to records social memories of our day, the nations changing attitudes to same-same relationships and notable people in history that LGB and Trans people can draw upon as role models.
One fascinating article is about "The Ladies of Llangollen", two noble women who lived together as a married couple and dressed as men in 1780s Wales. They became so famous they were visited by the Duke of Welling, Josiah Wedgwood, William Wordsworth, Shelly, Byron and Walter Scott to name but a few. They were also painted by famous artists of their day. One portrait hangs in the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff and their house in Plas Newydd is open to the public.
The site is looking for people from all over the country to record what they remember and know of their experience. Founder, Jonathan Harbourne said "it's great that attitudes towards homosexuality are becoming more acceptable in many places in Britain. In another 10 or 20 years, I don't want people to forget the struggle and the fight that won us our equalities and freedoms. But I don't want it to be all doom-and-gloom either – as a perceived minority we not only stood out against injustice, but often shone out, we often led the way in music and clubs, we celebrated our differences with the word 'Pride' becoming synonymous with being LGB&T, and we stuck together during the health crisis we faced raising millions of pounds. This makes our culture creative, generous and supportive. My aim is that this site becomes an history "time capsule", a resource to people and academics in years to come."
"If you've never edited or created pages on Wikipedia, this is an excellent opportunity to experiment, with a more liberal approach than the strict Wikipedia guidelines."
Open days at libraries and academic institutions are being planned for LGBT History Month, February 2012. These interactive workshops will introduce people to doing research and examining 'primary sources', and how to write articles for the wiki. People are also encouraged to record their coming out stories – the reactions of friends and families.
It's easy to start contributing, join by logging on, then search for a subject, if the subject doesn't exist, a link invites you to create the page. Use the correct spelling and upper-and-lower case letters when searching, because this may become the title of the official page.
Jonathan has been the founder of several projects and groups, including The London Raider's softball club (the largest softball club in the world), London Gay Bikers, a 250-strong motorcycle club ("London Gay Bikers" on Facebook), and he now chairs the bid for London to host the Gay Games/OutGames in 2018.
Click the link to see the full article http://www.queeruk.net/news/community/lgbt-history-project-launch
