In 2021/22 and 2023 the Welsh Government commissioned training in LGBTQ+ Language and History for local museums, libraries and archives to encourage the celebration of local stories of sexual orientation and gender identity.
This is part of the work being done on raising awareness and understanding of the diverse population of Wales, and compliments the Welsh Government Action Plan which aims to:
- tackle inequalities experienced by LGBTQ+
communities; - challenge discrimination;
- create a society where LGBTQ+ people are
safe to live and love authentically, openly and
freely as themselves.
One of the outcomes following the LGBTQ+ Language and History training is the construction of timelines for each of the 22 counties of Wales (plus the historic county of Gwent). This provides a means by which local people, allies and events can be celebrated instead of replicating mainstream narratives and celebrities.
A baseline of highlighted moments from history was constructed by Norena Shopland from her Welsh historic collection and it is hoped these will be added to by local organisations and individuals. The documents are open access and can be copied or adapted – but please be respectful and do not present as your own work.
It is hoped that the timelines will be put to use in a variety of ways, and I have provided some tips on how to use them and I look forward to seeing the timelines take on new lives.
The timelines are listed alphabetically by county.
Thanks for reading
Norena Shopland