2 June 2017

Opening on Monday 5th June, a new community exhibition at York Castle Museum will reveal previously unheard stories from York’s LGBT history.

‘York Out of the Closet: 50 years of LGBT history’ will transform the museum’s 1960’s pub into an LGBT bar brimming with tales of love, struggle and pride. Visitors can discover the stories of York’s first ever lesbian and gay protest march, the festival that brought two thousand lesbians to York racecourse, and many more.

2017 marks 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of sex between men in England and Wales. York Castle Museum is the only museum in York to join hundreds of organisations throughout the UK in commemorating this anniversary.

The exhibition has been curated by a team of volunteers, including representatives of three York charities: York LGBT History Month, York Pride, and York LGBT Forum.

Kit Heyam, Assistant Coordinator of York LGBT History Month and a member of the exhibition team, said,

“In a world where LGBT identities are still seen as non-traditional, it’s crucial that we shout about our history, and we’re so excited that York Castle Museum have given us such a prominent place to share these stories. When I was growing up, what kept me going was feeling like I had a community of gay and trans people throughout history, and an exhibition like this would have meant the world.

“We’re really grateful to all the LGBT people of York who’ve rummaged through their closets to find the photos, objects and memories that make up this exhibition. It’s just a starting point, of course: there are many more stories to be told, and we hope visitors will share some of their own with us too.”

Katie Brown, assistant curator at York Castle Museum, said,

“It’s great that York’s LGBT objects and stories are being collected and displayed for everyone to discover. We’re really pleased to be able to host such an interesting and important exhibition in this 50th anniversary year.”