Earlier this year, during the month of February, SIGNAL – the LGBT Staff Network – and Sheffield Hallam University were actively involved in celebrating LGBT History Month.

There was a display on Level 5 of the Atrium courtesy of the Friends of Edward Carpenter group and SIGNAL which looked at the work of this charity and the life of Edward Carpenter*, as well as raising awareness of the staff network.

The weekend of 20-22 February saw a whole programme of celebratory LGBT History Month activities, also courtesy of the Friends of Edward Carpenter.

This included a launch event on Friday, with opening remarks and a charity auction, whilst Saturday and Sunday saw a variety of incredible performances, speeches, music and screenings.

On Friday evening, Irwin Mitchell hosted a drinks reception and auction on behalf of the Friends of Edward Carpenter group, at the Millennium Galleries in Sheffield.  It launched a weekend of events entitled:  “LGBT Voice and Influence”.

Auctioned items that were enthusiastically bid for, included specially commissioned prints and an original painting of Edward Carpenter, signed books by Julian Clary and Sandi Toksvig; EastEnders and Coronation Street memorabilia, and a special edition case of beer.

The weekend of talks, discussions, music and film that followed, highlighted and celebrated the experiences and achievements of LGBT people and also aimed to raise awareness of the radical social activist Edward Carpenter.

Saturday saw a spectacular performance from Carol Robson. Fresh from her critically-acclaimed 2014 Edinburgh Fringe appearance, Carol’s specially-crafted performance for this event thoroughly engaged the audience with tales and poems reflecting on her incredible journey through life and her experiences.

There was a screening of the incredible E.D.E.N. Film Productions documentary ‘Families Like Ours’. This film – made by and featuring many lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans folk from Sheffield  – captures what makes Sheffield such a vibrant and diverse city, and how we as shared communities face the challenges that still face LGBT people today.

Films from Sheffield Hallam University’s National Coming Out Day video project were also screened. These films capture what it’s like to be LGBT and work and study at the best modern university in the north of England.

Next up was an impassioned speech from Nell Stockton – Trans activist and Press & Media Director for LGBT Sheffield. Using her unique insight and commentary whilst sharing her personal experiences, Nell highlighted the challenges facing the Trans community, as well as showcasing her brave and inspirational soul.

The evening event saw a brilliant live music performance from singer songwriter Grace Petrie, closing the day’s events.

There were stalls from Friends of Edward Carpenter, Sexual Health Sheffield, Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign, Martin Jenkinson Images, LGBT Sheffield and E.D.E.N Film Productions.

Sunday began with a fascinating look at the history of Edward Carpenter, providing a unique opportunity to discover an LGBT voice from our local past.  This included a performance of Carpenter’s socialist hymn ‘England Arise!’ especially adapted for Brass Band by the Woodhouse Prize Band.

This was followed by a special screening, sponsored by Sheffield Hallam University, of the film “Pride”, which won the Queer Palm Award at Cannes.  Based on the true story of how a group of gay activists decided to raise money to support the families of striking miners in 1984, it is a moving and uplifting account which demonstrates the importance and power of solidarity in difficult times.

Some of the audience were seeing it for the first time, for others it was their tenth viewing or more yet the impact seemed to be the same.  It was certainly an emotionally-charged viewing with much laughter and many tears shared by all.  There was a palpable feeling of shared history and solidarity at the viewing, and the talk which followed explored this further.

Ending on a high, writer and broadcaster Rony Robinson hosted a fascinating and optimistic discussion and Q&A session with Mike Jackson and Barbara Jackson.  The film just viewed was suddenly brought to life by the presence of one of the characters depicted in it, Mike Jackson, sporting his ‘Pits and Perverts’ t-shirt, referenced in the film.  He provided an insightful account of his experience as co-founder of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners and shed further light on the events represented in the film Pride. Barbara Jackson, secretary of Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, added extra context to these events, sharing her experiences of the ‘Battle of Orgreave’, a violent and bloody clash between miners and police in 1984.

Supporting organisations included: Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Sheffield City Council, Thornbridge Brewery and Sheffield Hallam University who were proud to sponsor the screening of the film “Pride”.

*Who was Edward Carpenter?

Edward Carpenter (1844 -1929) was a significant cultural and political activist, who advocated the ‘Simplification of Life’ and put his beliefs into practice. He campaigned throughout his life on many issues of social concern, ranging from women’s suffrage to the protection of the environment, from sexual emancipation to the formation of trade unions. For over forty years he formed a strong bond with the people of Sheffield, living openly as a gay man in Millthorpe, Derbyshire only a few miles away.

The Friends of Edward Carpenter are a small group of people who are dedicated to establishing a permanent memorial to Edward Carpenter in Sheffield City Centre, recognising his historical and social importance and unique association with the city.

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