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.
Memory Fair Zine
At the end of March 2025 OLGBT+, in partnership with GRAIN, ran memory fairs at two local libraries. The events were really popular and GRAIN have created a Zine with some of the material that was gathered
LGBT+ Life Stories Booklist
A selection of books featuring the life histories of LGBT+ People to help inspire us to record our own stories
Rainbow Threads Book of Pennants
To celebrate our fabulous Rainbow Threads project we have created a booklet that features all of the pennants made so far. You can pick up a copy of this booklet at Pride events or at any of our in person meetings.
Recent posts linked to our local LGBT+ history timeline
1967 – Police Arrest Four Young Men
The first concerted police campaign against gay men under the new age of consent was in Staffordshire in the Autumn of 1967. Four youths were arrested and charged, one later committed suicide.
1835 – The Last Men Hanged for Buggery
In this post we explore local connections to James Pratt and John Smith who were the last two men to be hanged in England for the crime of ‘buggery’.
2003 – Stoke Pride
A Stoke Pride event was originally planned in 2003 but was cancelled due to fears of a homophobic backlash following opposition from local residents and BNP Councillors. In 2006 The Club and Three Tuns along with other established venues hosted the “Big Pink CarPark” event. This was the first event that could properly be called Stoke Pride.
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.
More LGBT+ History Pages
