National Council on Public History

PROPOSAL TYPE

Roundtable

SEEKING

• Seeking Additional Presenters

RELATED TOPICS

• Museums/Exhibits
• Preservation
• Social Justice

ABSTRACT

The Gay Liberation Movement (1963–1980) had many aims, one of which included recovering and documenting a history of sexual and gender variance. Initially, this work was done through LGBTQ+ community-based organizing. Not until the 1990s did some museums, archives, and libraries present the queer past. This roundtable will explore the early history of LGBTQ+ community-based organizing around preserving queer history, its evolution into the mainstream, and where LGBTQ+ interpretation stands today, especially given recent attempts to ban queer history in schools, libraries, and public spaces. Panelists will address a range of questions, research, interpretation, practice, and ethics and will consider future directions.

DESCRIPTION

The goal of the roundtable is to provide a history of interpreting the LGBTQ+ past, identify early models of success, and discuss future directions. Panelists will share their expertise on the topic, give advice from experiences in the field, and brainstorm how to address current challenges. I am seeking one or more collaborators for the roundtable discussion. All experience levels, including current students, are welcome. Ideally, panelists will have expertise in at least four different geographic areas. My area of expertise is in the American Southwest and I am working on a new project rooted in the Midwest. I intend for the roundtable to illustrate how museum professionals, community-based queer activists, and professional historians can better collaborate. Join us in a discussion about greater visibility, representation, and integration of LGBTQ+ narratives.

If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Jordan Biro Walters, [email protected]

ALL FEEDBACK AND OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 10, 2024. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.

Discussion