The Notts Queer History Project launched last year with the aim of condensing Nottinghamshire’s vibrant LGBT+ history into two books spanning 1960 to 2022. Author and journalist, CJ DeBarra has been researching, interviewing and collecting people’s memories of everything from 1960s queer-friendly cafes on Mansfield Road to lesbian clubs in former hospitals, from Section 28 protests to transgender lives in the seventies.

This informal illustrated talk will showcase some of the amazing finds from the project, remind us of the venues we have said goodbye to, and highlight the importance of making sure our history is documented. It will also outline how you can get involved if you would like to take part and make sure your voice is part of the project. Over fifty people have already been interviewed about their lives and experience.

CJ DeBarra is a queer, non-binary journalist from Ireland based in Nottingham and the author of Neuroqueer, which launched earlier this year. Their books on the Nottinghamshire Queer History Project books will be published in 2024 by Five Leaves, in time for that year’s Pride.