LGBT+ History Month
Declan's Blog will also give us food for thought this month.
As a third-year queer black student studying history at the University of Warwick, I have felt underrepresented by the history curriculum throughout my degree. This is because there has been a lack of engagement into studying the intersections of LGBTQ+ histories, which has left a vast majority of minority LGBTQ+ histories to be rendered silent in the history department and the university generally. Although, I have had the pleasure of studying African American history and culture through Lydia Plath’s second year module and had a brief introduction to black British anti-racist groups, I am yet to have the opportunity to study minority queer experiences in the department. This has not only meant that a large section of richly diverse and intellectually stimulating histories have been continuously neglected but this has increased the crucial importance of liberation societies.
It was only through liberation societies that I was able to learn about minority queer histories in more depth and the pioneering leaders that pushed the LGBTQ+ Liberation Movement such as: Marsha P. Johnson. But I do not think that this is merely enough or that LGBTQ+ history should only be dependent on students. It is very important for the department to centre these histories within their modules and diversify their histories to gain a multi-faceted understanding into queer experiences. It is only through this that we can stop relegating LGBTQ+ history to the margins of scholarship and represent all experiences.
As the former LGBTQ+ Officer of Warwick Anti-Racism Society, I conducted very informal research into the experiences of queer minorities on campus. I found that out of the twelve students that I asked, all the students noted that they felt underrepresented in their departments and the university broadly. Most of these students commented that they wanted more from the university and a greater community of queer minorities on campus.
It is evident that being a minority within a minority comes with its pitfalls – caught in between the intersections of two groups that fail to fully represent you. However, I am hopeful that this blog will help open the discussion of catering to the needs of LGBTQ+ students, particularly incorporating minority LGBTQ+ histories in the history curriculum.
If you are interested in anything raised in this blog feel free to send me an email anytime! Hopefully, I can follow up to suggest ways to implement LGBTQ+ histories within our modules.
Until next time,
Declan