You may have noticed in our ‘Unsung Heroes’ feature last week that the picture printed by Sue Sanders was… um… not Sue Sanders. Even the Powers That Be at QX are sometimes fallible and Google Images is not always your friend. But we caught up with the indomitable Sue herself (definitely her picture here) to find out more about what’s going on with LGBT History Month in February…
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was a drama teacher, an assertive trainer, management consultant and a trainer who delivered some of the training after the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. I’ve been involved with Schools OUT for years, and have been involved in women’s issues as a feminist.
What inspired you into campaigning for the LGBT+ community in the first place?
Fury at having no knowledge of lesbians being lied to by omission and recognizing, through my involvement with the women’s movement, that nothing happens unless we do something about it.
How did LGBT History Month come about?
I instigated LGBT History Month with my then co-chair Paul Patrick. We saw the Labour government talk about the Equality Act and to have a public sector duty which would mean that public institutions would have to go further and educate people on the protected characteristics. We knew that because of Section 28 they would have little knowledge or ideas on how to do it. We managed to get a small grant, got a website up and in the first year there were over a hundred events round the country.
Our first launch at the Tate Modern was an interesting affair with 13 people on stage launching the month, who truly represented the diversity of the LGBT community, which we are passionate about. It is for all LGBT people, whatever their ethnicity, religion, or ability or disability. Over the years we have developed the month and more and more people celebrate it.
Tell us about the 1st National History Festival that’s happening in Manchester, what was the thinking behind it?
In our tenth year we wanted to do something to celebrate and to enable students and academics who are researching LGBT history alongside with activists to discuss, network and cross fertilise each other so we can support the work museums, galleries and libraries are doing in being inclusive of LGBT people and issues. We are thrilled we have experts from Asia, Europe and the USA, including Harvey Milk’s nephew Stuart Milk. The academic conference is almost full, with the festival boasting Peter Tatchell, Christine Burns, Adam Lowe, Julie Parker, Catherin Hall, Helena Whitbread, and teachers like myself reading inclusive children’s books and sharing inclusive lessons.
What’s going to happen in ‘A Very Victorian Scandal’ and why should Londoners travel up to Manchester to see it?
This is the immersive piece of theatre that will be part of the festival, which demonstrates the importance of the academic research that in this case unearthed the story of the British ‘Stonewall’ that occurred in 1880. The theatre piece will take us through the incidents. We were thrilled that Russell T Davies supported the development of the piece.
And finally, what personally drives you on in campaigning and trying to help others?
I guess I have been active for over 40 years one way or another campaigning against injustice and invisibility. There are many of us who do the same, we want to make a positive difference and be part of the solution, ensuring that the following generations do not have to face silence, hatred and ignorance. I have seen many changes to the laws we have in place that I could hardly dream of 40 years ago. However, I am aware that does not of itself change things: we have had laws against the discrimination of women for over 30 years but we do not have universal equal pay and two women are killed every week by a partner (male). We need to do the work to enable cultural change and be aware that progress is not guaranteed, we need to be vigilant and there will be many of us who will fly the flag and work for our safety and visibility. I am proud to be in that group.
• LGBT History Month is on right now with full details of all events at: www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk
