Most terminology, we use today is from the 20th century, how then do you find us (the LGBT+ community) in the past?

An introductory interactive training session to equip participants with a fundamental knowledge of how to search for and recognise LGBT+ content in historical records. Participants will learn about the use of this complex language through time.

You will gain greater knowledge and understanding of how your material can be effectively catalogued/tagged and learn about some of the use of this complex language through time.

• If you catalogue historic records, you will gain greater confidence to reference your collection leading to more effective public engagement. The skills gained can be easily passed on to colleagues, peers and volunteers.

• If you are researching or have an interest in LGBT+ history, you will learn practical tips to start expanding your research methodologies.

Delivery mode:

A mixture of easy-to-use virtual post-it notes, an interactive quiz, and group discussions, with time for Q&A.

Suitable for :

Museums; archives; researchers; historians; authors; academics; teachers; the heritage sector; people interested in LGBT+ history; private and public organisations looking to archive their records.

Recent staff training includes the London Metropolitan Archives, National Museum Wales, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Cynon Valley Museum, North East Wales Archives, Federation of Welsh Museums among others.

Workshop Leaders:

Norena Shopland

Norena Shopland is an author and historian specialising in the history of sexual orientation and gender identity. She is responsible for several ground-breaking projects; for example, she secured an NHLF grant for Welsh Pride the first project in Wales to highlight the country’s LGBTQ+ people, allies and events; and managed Gender Fluidity, the first funded trans project in Wales.

Her book Forbidden Lives: LGBT stories from Wales (Seren Books, 2017) is the first completely historical work on Welsh sexual orientation and gender identity. The Veronal Mystery (Wordcatcher Publishing, 2020) examines a real-life gay crime; and Queering Glamorgan and A Practical Guide to Searching LGBTQIA Historical Records (Routledge, 2020) have become very popular as toolkits to aid people doing original research. She is one of the founders of the network forum Hanes LHDT+ Cymru / LGBTQ+ Research Group Wales, which supports and encourages those doing original research.

Norena lectures extensively and appears regularly in the press, radio, and TV; and is one of Wales Online’s most influential gay women (2021); on the Pinc List: Wales’ most influential LGBT+ people (2020 & 2019); On Wales Arts Review: 100 Women of Wales on Twitter (2020); Wen Wales 100+ Welsh Women (2020).

Laila El-Metoui

Laila El-Metoui is Stonewall Lesbian Role Model of the Year (2020) and number 81 on the Top 100 Pride Power List 2021. She set up and chairs Proud London Councils, the Pan London Forum for LGBT + staff network in local authorities. She is a member of DiversED.

Her published works include Rainbow Pilgrims: The Rites and Passages of LGBTQI + Migrants in Britain , Twilight People: Stories of Faith and Gender Beyond the Binary . She is currently working on the educational resources for the Haringey Vanguard Project, a historical record of black queer activism from the 70s to the 90s.

She was on the project team of the British Council ESOL Nexus Research Awards Exploring LGBT Lives and Issues in Adult ESOL

She is the founder of the bi-yearly global virtual conferences Educating Out Racism and Pride in Education. She delivers a twice weekly virtual training workshop Learn interactive & participatory online teaching and presentations skills

She has 30 years experience as a teacher and teacher trainer in Further Education. As an Equality Advocate her work in education focuses on promoting a bias aware, trauma informed and compassionate curriculum.

She was instrumental in setting up the London branch of NATECLA and as well as Queering the ESOL Curriculum in the UK.

This is a public event open to all , bespoke workshops for organisations are also available. Please contact the organisers for more information.