February was a wonderful month for us as we celebrated LGBT+ History Month. We hosted a number of community events across the Isle of Wight, displaying our ongoing work and projects.
Short Films Night
On February 12, we had a Short Films Night at Department in Ryde. We were proud to showcase our Faces + Places performed walks, filmed by Sam Lapham and directed by Rebecca Tremain. These walks involved a tour, given by an LGBTQ+ historical figure associated with the Isle of Wight, in locations significant to them.
Oscar Wilde, performed by Si Lynch and written by Jason Watts, walked us around Ryde, discussing his lecture, On Dress, given at Ryde Town Hall in 1884. Virginia Woolf, performed by Emily Scotcher and written by Cody Pevreall, accompanied us around Freshwater and spoke of the women who influenced her work. Charlotte Mew, performed by Hillard Morley and written by Katie Daysh, toured Newport and talked of her poetry and life.
It was great to screen these films and also brilliant to hear the audience’s response. One attendee said, ‘The films I watched have encouraged me to look out for and attend any future heritage walks you put on’.
We will repeat these walks in 2026, along with a brand new one. We will post more details soon!
Here are some photos from Historic England photographer, Lucy Hunter.
Faces + Places map at Department
Our performed walks were inspired by the Faces + Places LGBTQ+ Heritage Trail map. Designed by Spike Spondike in collaboration with our Out on an Island project, this illustrates LGBTQ+ people, past and present, associated with the Isle of Wight. They include historical figures such as Virginia Woolf as well as the modern community like Robin Ford and Karl Love.
During LGBT+ History Month, the map was displayed in Department’s exhibition space.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Working Class Histories
At our Short Films Night, we also showcased our Historic England-funded project, Celebrating LGBTQ+ Working Class Histories. This is investigating the hidden heritage of Ryde and a number of venues, some of which are no longer present.
To show these findings, the team from StoneCrabs Theatre and volunteers will produce a zine called Union. The community will contribute to this publication: articles, poetry, photographs, and artistic responses.
Alongside this, Lena Mattheis from the website Listen Queer is coming to Ryde in April to record an audio tour of Union Street and its LGBTQ+ heritage.
During our Short Films Night, we heard some moving and powerful stories from members of the community. These voices are what we hope to represent in Union – stories and memories are precious and will inform future generations that LGBTQ+ people have always existed on the Island.
LGBTQ+ awareness workshops
Throughout the month, we delivered workshops to a number of local schools. We tailor these workshops for young people to encourage greater understanding and inclusion.
We worked with Brading CE Primary School, Dover Park, St George’s School, Summerfields Primary, and Broadlea. Dover Park visited Department and viewed the Faces + Places map as well as the trailers for our performed walks.
LGBTQ+ awareness workshops were also delivered to the Isle of Wight Community-Owned Research Network (ICORN) and Nacro.
Feedback called these sessions ‘enriching and powerful’, and that ‘I am sure many of us left feeling like empowered allies’.
Why should we celebrate LGBT+ History Month?
As LGBT+ rights are withdrawn and eroded worldwide, there is a need to remind ourselves that LGBT+ people exist in all walks of life. LGBT+ History Month began in the UK following the repeal of Section 28 in 2003. An organisation called Schools OUT was formed, made up of teachers, one of whom was sacked from his job as a teacher for being gay. Section 28 had prohibited the teaching of LGBT+ issues in schools and its shadow was felt long after its repeal.
Schools OUT works to educate out prejudice and to usualise LGBT+ lives. LGBT+ History Month is for claiming the past, celebrating the present and creating the future. It is a reminder that LGBTQ+ people have always been around.