Proud Writing is a project run by LGBTQ+ author/historian Norena Shopland in collaboration with Cerian Wilshere-Davies, Youth Engagement Facilitator for Amgueddfa Cymru. The writing workshops consisted of an initial four sessions and proved so popular that additional sessions were added.
Each workshop consisted of a short text taken from historic newspapers from Welsh Newspapers Online and reflected different aspects of sexual orientation and gender identity history within Wales. Each story was discussed in depth to examine a variety of readings and participants were asked to write poetry, prose, or produce original artwork. The third and final part of the session consisted of tips and advice for writing.
Every participant could submit up to three entries of no more than 1,000 words each.
Those who had finished their entries by the deadline and were brave enough to submit their writing to public scrutiny for the first time have had their works incorporated into this eBook which has been made freely available in agreeance with the participants. Copyright remains with the individual writers.
Thanks to those organisations that hosted the workshops – Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales; St Fagans National Museum of History – Amgueddfa Cymru; National Waterfront Museum – Amgueddfa Cymru; Aberration Cymru; Conwy Culture Centre; Cardiff Central Library Hub
Our thanks to everyone who took part and especially to those who bravely submitted their work. We hope this is just the beginning and that more people will be inspired to write creatively about LGBTQ+ history!