About LGBT+ History
As older LGBT+ people most of us have memories of times long before we achieved the rights that we enjoy in Britain today. This page is about LGBT+ history and why it is important.
There is plenty of evidence to tell us that there have always been human beings who engaged in same sex relationships, or who did not conform to conventional gender norms. The social climate these individuals lived in, and the language they had available to them, has changed significantly and continues to evolve.
Exploring LGBT+ history is important because it helps us understand who we are and how our community was shaped by those who lived before us. It helps us recognise the roots of LGBT+ identities and how they continue to change.
As older LGBT+ people our lives have foundations that reach back into this history. It is important that we add our memories to archives where there is presently so little that tells the story of previous generations of LGBT+ people.
We are creating a new timeline of local LGBT+ history for Stoke and Staffordshire. Please take a look and get in touch if you have any information or photos that we could add.
Our links page has some great sites for you to further explore LGBT + History. We have also included some general sites that can help with research.
We are currently engaged in various projects that explore aspects of LGBT+ history and identity. We are actively seeking funding to help with a proposed future LGBT+ history project that will document the life stories of some of our group members.
In the posts below you can read about projects, activities and news that explores themes around LGBT+ history and identity.
Celebrating Fifteen Years
In December 2024 we Celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the group’s first meeting. The video below was created for a special celebration event that took place in the ballroom at Fenton Town Hall
Blue Jean
A film exploring the impact of Section 28. The year is 1988 and Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government are about to pass a law stigmatising gays and lesbians, forcing Jean, a PE teacher, to live a double life.
Potboiler – Gay Stoke
In GAY STOKE local theatre group Potboiler is embarking on a journey with older LGBTQ+ people from Stoke-on-Trent to discover and re-tell local stories of gay life…
Recent posts linked to our local LGBT+ history timeline
1969 – The Stonewall Riots and the Birth of Pride
1969 is the year in which the Stonewall Riots took place. This post explores how this was reported at the time and in the years that followed when Gay Liberation Front groups emerged around the UK
1968 – The Killing of Sister George
The Killing of Sister George is a 1968 American film based on the 1964 play by British playwright Frank Marcus. The film attracted considerable controversy due to an explicit lesbian lovemaking scene. In this post we explore some of the local press coverage.
1995 – The MESMEN Project
Staffordshire Buddies set up the Mesmen Project in Lichfield to provide HIV Prevention and Sexual Health Promotion to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in South Staffordshire. The project ran for over twenty years helping create social opportunities for LGBT+ people while striving to improve their health.
1918 – Maud Allan Libel Case
In the spring of 1918, famous Canadian dancer and actress, Maud Allan pursued a libel case against right wing MP Noel Pemberton-Billing. The case revolved around an article published in his newspaper “The Vigilante” which was headlined “The Cult of the Clitoris”
2008 – Inferno Gay Sauna
Inferno was Stoke’s first gay sauna – an openly gay venue that was clearly and unambiguously promoted as a place where men could meet for sex. It was based in Garth Street in close proximity to The Club and opened around 2008. The company wound up some time in early 2012. Gay Saunas have a long history
The Origins of Our Gay Scene
The earliest reference to gay friendly venues comes from oral history passed down within our community. It is said that as early as the 1920s The Unicorn Inn was used a meeting place for men and that during the second world war The Antelope and The Stage Door were well known as gay friendly pubs.
More LGBT+ History Pages
