Stretching back hundreds of years, Norfolk’s LGBTQIA+ history is being brought to light online thanks to an innovative new project. Called ‘Queer Norfolk’, the volunteer-led project aims to seek, record and showcase undiscovered objects stored away in museums and archives that tell the story of Norfolk’s LGBTQIA+ past.

Community Archivist Adam Baker says: “These objects and stories are not necessarily hidden, but they are hard to find. This project aims to draw together information from all over Norfolk to reveal LGBTQIA+ the landscapes of the past in our county.”

The project supported by the Norwich Pride. Trustee Julie Bremner said ‘ Norwich Pride is enthusiastically supporting this project. The digitisation of queer history will help demonstrate how far we have made progress towards LGBTQIA+ equality, and how much more we need to do. We urge people to look through their own historical objects and consider whether they would be a good addition to the collection.’

Rachel Ridealgh, Community Librarian for Local Studies at Norfolk Library & Information Service, said: “The Norfolk LGBTQIA+ Collection at the Norfolk Heritage Centre has been developed over several years by the community. We are proud to support this new project, which will give more people the chance to discover this unique collection.”

The project hopes to give LGBTQIA+ people the opportunity to take ownership of their past while also encouraging links between the LGBT+ community and Norfolk’s archives, museums and stately homes.

Queer Norfolk is a grassroots volunteer-led project, in partnership with Norwich Pride and supported by Norfolk Library & Information Service. If you are interested in contributing to the project, please get in touch via the details below:

Head to queernorfolk.com or follow @queernorfolk on Instagram to find out more.

https://queernorfolk.com/