Our latest exhibition, on level 3 of the Library, has been curated by Alex Kabaj, Graduate Intern at the University’s Equality and Diversity Office, who is currently carrying out a research project to uncover LGBT+ history in the University Archives. Read on for a preview of Alex’s exhibition in this guest blog post for LGBT+ History Month.

Although the University of Strathclyde has a proud and long-established LGBT+ community, there has until now been limited research into Strathclyde’s own LGBT+ history. This display, featuring articles published in the Strathclyde Telegraph student newspaper and in University of Strathclyde Students Association (USSA) welfare booklets, showcases LGBT+ materials from the University of Strathclyde’s Archives collections for the first time. Through these materials, we have discovered rich and significant stories that deserve wider attention. 

In the student newspaper, the first mentions of LGBT+ people date back to 1961, a time when their/our presence was often concealed and ignored. Before the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1982, which partially decriminalised private homosexual acts, homosexual activity was illegal. LGBT+ people over time have been subject to criminalisation and discrimination, some of which persists today, as legal reform is just one aspect of true equality and inclusion. 

The organised LGBT+ rights movements in the UK began in 1964 with the establishment of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. Notably, Strathclyde saw the inception of groups such as the Gay Society (GAYSOC) in 1971, the first of its kind in a Scottish university. In the 1980s and 1990s, Strathclyde students were active in opposing Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, a law that prohibited the "promotion of homosexuality" by local authorities including schools. This was repealed in Scotland in 2000. 

This ongoing archive research project will enable former, current and future generations of Strathclyde students and staff to contribute to this growing resource by sharing relevant materials from their own time at Strathclyde alongside learning about those who came before them. Although the early archival work has been predominantly focused on the Gay Society (GAYSOC) - and by extension the ‘G’ in LGBT+ - the project will continue its archival research to uncover and gather material about the wider LGBT+ community. 

Later in 2024, the University will host an LGBT+ history event as part of our Diamond Jubilee year programme, so stay tuned for further news on this. You are also encouraged check out the rest of the Strathclyde’s LGBT+ History Month 2024 programme.