To help celebrate LGBT+ History Month this February, a talk entitled ‘Love and Marriage’ will be given by Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews, Curator at North Herts Museum, on 23 February.
The talk, at 7.30pm and costing £5 with complimentary tea or coffee, will explore the differences and similarities in marriage practices through time and space, marriage has a surprisingly long history! The museum has also put up a display in the Terrace Gallery which includes the first Civil Partnership certificate issued in North Herts on 21 December 2005. Also included are paintings by Margaret Thomas, who lived with her same-sex partner for 60 years, and Katie Wilson, a local transgender woman, as well as information about James Allen, a transgender man who was landlord of The Sun (now The Victoria) in Baldock in about 1809.
Every February, the LGBT+ History Month charity promotes equality and diversity and as an educational charity, increases the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, their history, lives and their experiences, in the school curriculum and wider community. This year, organisers are raising awareness of five artists – each one representing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and + (any other sexual identities) – who had either used their art for political ends or expressed their orientation through their work. For example, openly gay American artist Keith Haring is featured, whose pop art was used to draw attention to the growing AIDS crisis in the 1980s. Poster-sized factsheets for each artist are also on display as part of the exhibition and there is a short quiz designed for young adults.
Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews, Curator at North Herts Museum, said: “Art is probably the most individual of pastimes, so the charity chose art as its national curriculum link for this year. It’s great to provide information and help celebrate this national awareness month, as well as display items from our local, modern heritage.
“We’ve come a long way – this year is the 50th anniversary of the very first UK Pride March in 1972 – but the journey continues.”
Tickets for ‘Love and Marriage’ by Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews on Wednesday 23 February at 7.30pm are available from Art Tickets.
North Herts Museum is located in Brand Street, Hitchin, open Tue-Sat 10.30am-4.30pm and Sun 11am-3pm and general admission is free.
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