{"id":171,"date":"2023-07-19T09:41:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T09:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voicesandvisibility.org.uk\/index\/?page_id=171"},"modified":"2024-04-22T00:42:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T00:42:22","slug":"personalities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.voicesandvisibility.org.uk\/index\/personalities\/","title":{"rendered":"Personalities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to the Personalities Dateline. You have twenty seven stories to choose from. You can read about the diversity and achievements of people important to the LGBT+ community today. In the stories are pioneers who campaigned to establish rights for LGBT+ people. Others changed attitudes by living open and proud lives. There are people who have given us songs, stories and drama to inspire us. Others provide us with opportunities to celebrate our achievements. Check out the links some of them have to the Legal Dateline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The choice of stories was a very considered one by the wallchart project team. Time has passed since the choice was made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choices were made based on a specific contributions at a particular time and do not reflect a broad appreciation of everything a person may have made across their lifetime..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will surely think of others to include in a dateline of your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The relationships of the people chosen here are important. Stories of people with these intimate sexual and\/or emotional relationships have often been neglected or even deliberately erased. Their lives and loves were characterised as \u2018wrong\u2019. Sharing our stories is vital. The stories here help challenge fixed and stereotyped identities. We see that lives in the past could be vibrant and happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the people chosen are now well known but others are less so. Some are connected to the labour movement and organised activism. Their stories make oppression and resistance more visible. Some are influential voices, inspiring others to take action. Many stories recognise and value the importance of working together with allies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each story explains an important event. It can be anything from a trial, to a new job or a medical intervention. The stories are not detailed biographies, though a few other events are included. Some aspects of a person\u2019s background and heritage are included to highlight the diversity of the group. Sometimes their age is highlighted to show that people can help make change happen throughout their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should thank those who continue to uncover and keep our stories alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2018[gay] \u2018history\u2019 is not a luxury for arty types, not just a vague feeling that we queer folk have been around a long time. It is crucial advice, passed from one generation to the next. Scrabbling around in libraries for glimpses of our history and literary heritage is just as important as the more obvious kinds of activism. Knowing our past brings confidence, wisdom and ability to laugh at our enemies and ourselves.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\nEmma Donoghue 
Irish Writer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Personalities Timeline<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t

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1871<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1871<\/div><\/div>
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Fanny and Stella<\/a><\/div>
\"Fanny<\/a><\/div>

Frederick Park and Ernest Boulton Law student, bank clerk, theatrical performers 1871 Criminal prosecution Fanny (Fredrick Park) and Stella (Ernest Boulton) were arrested on 28th April 1870 at the Strand theatre and taken to Bow Street police station, London. Stella wore a red silk evening dress. Fanny wore a dark…
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1906<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1906<\/div><\/div>
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Edward Carpenter<\/a><\/div>
\"Edward<\/a><\/div>

Socialist Poet Philosopher 1906 Publishes \u2018Loves Coming of Age\u2019 \u2018Eros is a great leveller\u2019 Edward Carpenter Edward Carpenter left behind his middle class upbringing and career in the church in his late 30s. He went to live in a working class community outside Sheffield. There he became interested in socialism.…
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1911<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1911<\/div><\/div>
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Ethel Smith<\/a><\/div>
\"Ethel<\/a><\/div>

Composer and member of the suffrage movement 1911 Composed \u2018The March of the Women\u2019 \u2018Because I have conducted my own operas and love sheep-dogs; because I generally dress in tweeds; \u2026because I have written books, spoken speeches, broadcast, and don\u2019t always make sure that my hat is on straight; for…
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1928<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1928<\/div><\/div>
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Radclyffe Hall<\/a><\/div>
\"Radclyffe<\/a><\/div>

Poet and author 1928 Publishes \u2018The Well of Loneliness\u2019 \u2018You\u2019re neither unnatural, nor abominable, nor mad; you\u2019re as much a part of what people call nature as anyone else\u2019 Radclyffe Hall Marguerite Radclyffe Hall was an English poet and novelist, and is one of the most famous figures in lesbian…
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1952<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1952<\/div><\/div>
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Alan Turing<\/a><\/div>
\"Alan<\/a><\/div>

Mathematician and computer scientist 1952 Chemically castrated \u2018No doubt I shall emerge from it all a different man, but quite who I\u2019ve not found out.\u2019 Alan Turing Many people call Alan Turing the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence (AI). He created new ways of thinking about computers,…
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1960<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1960<\/div><\/div>
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Lionel Blue<\/a><\/div>
\"Lionel<\/a><\/div>

Reform Rabbi, journalist and broadcaster 1980 First British Rabbi publicly to \u2018affirm his homosexual orientation\u2019 \u2018I am pleased now that I have lived in a gay as well as a religious ghetto, though it hasn\u2019t been very comfortable. Taken together, their limitations cancel each other out and I have seen…
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1970<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1970<\/div><\/div>
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Ted Brown<\/a><\/div>
\"Ted<\/a><\/div>

LGBT activist and trade unionist 1970 Member of the Gay Liberation Front \u2018Racism and homophobia rely upon spreading vicious lies about, seriously denigrating and removing the rights of their victims.\u2019 Ted Brown Ted Brown is a Black gay activist and trade unionist. He was effective in raising Black lesbian and…
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1972<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1972<\/div><\/div>
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Jan Morris<\/a><\/div>
\"Jan<\/a><\/div>

Historian and author\u00a0 1972\u00a0 Travels abroad for gender reassignment surgery \u2018What was important was the liberty of us all to live as we wished to live, to love however we wanted to love, and to know ourselves, however peculiar, disconcerting or unclassifiable, at one with the gods and angels.\u2019 Jan…
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1981<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1981<\/div><\/div>
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Jeffrey Dudgeon<\/a><\/div>
\"Jeffrey<\/a><\/div>

Gay activist, historian and politician Belfast Dudgeon v the United Kingdom \u2018As long as I can help, I will continue telling my story in this city because there is always going to be stuff to fight against.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Jeffrey Dudgeon Jeffrey \u201cJeff\u201d Dudgeon is a Northern Irish politician, historian and gay…
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1983<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1983<\/div><\/div>
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Peter Tatchell<\/a><\/div>
\"Peter<\/a><\/div>

LGBT+ activist 1983 Fights Bermondsey By-election \u201cDon\u2019t accept the world as it is. Dream about what the world could be \u2013 then help us make it happen.\u2019 Peter Tatchell Peter Tatchell is a British human rights campaigner, originally from Australia. Tatchell moved to London in 1971. He was a leading…
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1984<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1984<\/div><\/div>
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Jimmy Somerville<\/a><\/div>
\"Jimmy<\/a><\/div>

Singer 1984 \u2018Pits and Perverts\u2019 benefit concert\u2019 \u2018Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away Cry boy, cry \u2026\u2019 Smalltown Boy Jimmy Somerville James \u2018Jimmy\u2019 Somerville is a Scottish pop singer and songwriter. He was brought up in a tough area of Glasgow. He faced homophobia at work.…
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1984<\/div><\/div>
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Chris Smith<\/a><\/div>
\"Chris<\/a><\/div>

Chris Smith \u2013 Baron Smith of Finsbury addressing rally at LGBT Pride march, London, July 2005. Politician 1984 First out gay and HIV positive MP \u2018Good afternoon, I\u2019m Chris Smith, I\u2019m the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury and I\u2019m gay.\u2019 Christopher Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury is a…
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1986<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1986<\/div><\/div>
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Linda Bellos<\/a><\/div>
\"Linda<\/a><\/div>

LGBT+ activist, equality trainer and consultant 1986 Leader of Lambeth Council \u2018It\u2019s not enough to protest, one needed to be involved in a political party to change it.\u2019 Linda Bellos Linda Bellos is an equality trainer, consultant and LGBT+ activist. She is of African and Eastern European Jewish heritage. Her…
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1987<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1987<\/div><\/div>
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Labi Siffre<\/a><\/div>
\"Labi<\/a><\/div>

Poet, singer and songwriter 1987 (Something Inside) So Strong \u2018My songs are love songs, but love songs for my fellow man\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 Labi Siffre Claudius Afolabi \u201cLabi\u201d Siffre is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer. He was the fourth of five children born to a British mother of Barbadian-Belgian descent…
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1989<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1989<\/div><\/div>
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Kath Gillespie-Sells<\/a><\/div>
\"Kath<\/a><\/div>

1989 Founder Regard \u2018The most important thing I have done is get them [disabled and LGBT people] to move out of their own comfort zone and look at the other issues\u2026\u2019 Kath Gillespie Sells Katherine \u2018Kath\u2019 Gillespie Sells is a psychotherapist, writer, disability rights campaigner and LGBT+ rights campaigner. Sells…
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1989<\/div><\/div>
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Lisa Power<\/a><\/div>
\"Lisa<\/a><\/div>

1989 Founder member Stonewall Learn a little, live a lot more. Challenge ignorance where you find it.\u00a0 Lisa Power Lisa Power is a sexual health and LGBT rights campaigner. She came out at university in Lancaster in the 1970s. She was demonstrating against the sacking by of a gay man…
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1992<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1992<\/div><\/div>
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Stephen Whittle<\/a><\/div>
\"Stephen<\/a><\/div>

European Commission Office for Hong Kong and Macau. LGBTI meeting Chinese University Sha Tin. Hong Kong SAR,China.29th August 2014. Pic Jayne Russell +852 97578607. Date-29.08.14 1992 Co-founder Press for Change \u2018\u2026in order to hear the voices of trans people, as justice demands, one has to acknowledge the limits of sex…
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1995<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1995<\/div><\/div>
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Christine Burns<\/a><\/div>
\"Christine<\/a><\/div>

Trans rights activist and campaigner 1995 Parliamentary Forum on Transsexualism \u2018For most it\u2019s been a profoundly personal thing \u2013 not something to shout about, but a piece of paper to hold, to have a little cry, and feel closure at last.\u2019 Christine Burns talking about gender recognition and marriage after…
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1997<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1997<\/div><\/div>
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Angela Eagle<\/a><\/div>
\"Angela<\/a><\/div>

Politician 1997 First lesbian MP to come out \u2018If we are to make equality a reality for all LGBT people we have to know and remember the history of discrimination and the struggle to overcome it\u2019 Angela Eagle Angela Eagle is a British Labour Party Politician. Eagle was born in…
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1998<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1998<\/div><\/div>
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Jackie Kay<\/a><\/div>
\"Jackie<\/a><\/div>

Jackie Kay Poet, novelist and academic 1998 Publishes \u2018Trumpet\u2019 \u2018You would never dream of asking a heterosexual writer how being heterosexual affected their writing, yet it\u2019s often asked of a lesbian writer.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0 Jackie Kay Jackie Kay is a Scottish poet and novelist. She became the Scots Makar in 2016, the…
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1998<\/div><\/div>
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Waheed Alli<\/a><\/div>
\"Waheed<\/a><\/div>

Media entrepreneur and politician 1998 Youngest and first out gay peer \u2018I have never been confused about my sexuality. I have been confused about the way I am treated as a result of it.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0 Waheed Alli Waheed Alli, Baron Alli is a media entrepreneur and life peer. His parents are…
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1999<\/span><\/div><\/div>
1999<\/div><\/div>
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Barbara Burford<\/a><\/div>
\"Barbara<\/a><\/div>

Writer, medical researcher and diversity activist\u00a0 1999\u00a0 Director of Equality, Department of Health And we are mistresses of strong, wild air, leapers and sounders of depths and barriers. Barbara Burford from \u2018Women Talking\u2019, 1984 Barbara Burford was a writer and medical researcher. She was a lifelong diversity activist. She came…
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1999<\/div><\/div>
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Russell T Davies<\/a><\/div>
\"Russell<\/a><\/div>

Television producer and screen writer 1999 Queer as Folk broadcast \u201cLiving as a gay man is a political act\u2019 Russell T Davies Welshman Russell T Davies is a gay screenwriting icon. In 1998 he wrote a drama series for UK TV Channel 4. It was about a group of friends…
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2005<\/span><\/div><\/div>
2005<\/div><\/div>
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Sue Sanders<\/a><\/div>
\"Sue<\/a><\/div>

Educator, activist and co-founder of LGBTHM 2005 First UK LGBT History Month \u2018It is vital that the diversity of the LGBT community is visible and safe especially in schools\u2019 Sue Sanders Sue is an LGBT+ activist and educationalist. Her work has focussed on women\u2019s issues, lesbian politics, human rights and…
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2006<\/span><\/div><\/div>
2006<\/div><\/div>
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Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah<\/a><\/div>
\"Phyllis<\/a><\/div>

Trade unionist and founder of UK Black Pride 2006 First UK Black Pride \u2018Our aim is to foster, present and celebrate Black LGBT culture.\u2019 Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah also known as \u2018Lady Phyll\u2019 is a co-founder, trustee and executive director of UK Black Pride. She is a lesbian woman of…
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2012<\/span><\/div><\/div>
2012<\/div><\/div>
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Nicola Adams<\/a><\/div>
\"Nicola<\/a><\/div>

Sportswoman 2012 First woman to win Olympic boxing title \u2018I went into boxing and I\u2019m bisexual and I still achieved and performed at the highest level and I came away with gold and made history so with that said, anything is possible.\u2019 Nicola Adams Nicola Adams\u00a0is a British professional boxer.…
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2013<\/span><\/div><\/div>
2013<\/div><\/div>
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Tom Daley<\/a><\/div>
\"Tom<\/a><\/div>

Sportsman 2013 Announces relationship with a man \u2018Overwhelmed by all the support! Means the world! Thanks so much guys\u2019 Tom Daly Thomas \u2018Tom\u2019 Daley is a British diver. He was successful in national and international competitions from the age of nine. He won a world title when he was only…
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