As StoneCrabs Theatre’s Out On An Island project enters its eighth year, the team invites you to celebrate LGBT+ History Month in February, at Department in Ryde, with a fascinating event showcasing its recent projects. Out On An Island started as an eighteen month project, unearthing the Isle of Wight’s hidden LGBT+ history.
Since 2018, the team and over one hundred volunteers have produced a multi award-winning book, exhibitions and an LGBT+ Memorial Quilt. StoneCrabs also offers opportunities for social meet ups and community support with monthly meetings including an LGBT+ Book Club and groups for the transgender and non-binary community as well as a group for parents and carers of trans and gender-questioning young people.
What can you expect at Department?
Throughout February, on the ground floor corridor wall at Department, StoneCrabs will display the Island’s LGBT+ Faces and Places map designed by Spike Spondike, signposting trails and celebrating LGBT+ people from across the Isle of Wight, from historical figures like Virginia Woolf to contemporary voices such as Robin Ford and Karl Love.
Celebration event
On Thursday 12th February, there will be a relaxed, celebration event in The Barn, Department’s theatre space (book your place).
StoneCrabs will screen exclusive short films of its sell out LGBT+ performed walks, Faces + Places, including Mew In Newport written by Katie Daysh, Woolf in Freshwater written by Cody Pevreall, The Gang written by Anmarie Bowler and Wilde Ryde by Jason Watts.
The walks have been translated into short films by rising local filmmaker Sam Lapham, with powerful performances by Emily Scotcher, Si Lynch, Hillard Morley, and Krysia Mansfield, directed by Rebecca Tremain.
The event will also showcase StoneCrabs’ LGBT+ project highlighting the LGBT+ history, people, places and experiences of Ryde. Celebrating LGBT+ Working Class Histories is being funded by Historic England’s Everyday Heritage programme. StoneCrabs would love to hear from anyone with memories of LGBT+ social life in Ryde from the past.
Donations for tickets
StoneCrabs is a registered charity and tickets are available on a donation basis.
Reserve your place here.
Why should we celebrate LGBT+ History Month?
As LGBT+ rights are withdrawn and eroded worldwide, there is a need to remind ourselves that LGBT+ people exist in all walks of life. LGBT+ History Month was started in the UK following the repeal of Section 28 in 2003.
An organisation called Schools OUT was formed, made up of teachers, one of whom was sacked from his job as a teacher for being gay. Section 28 had prohibited the teaching of LGBT+ issues in schools and its shadow was felt long after its repeal.
Schools OUT works to educate out prejudice and to usualise LGBT+ lives. LGBT+ History Month is for claiming the past, celebrating the present and creating the future. It is a reminder that LGBTQ+ people have always been around.
Free training and information
StoneCrabs offers training for schools and organisations in how to work with those who identify as LGBT+ and how best to support someone who may be questioning their gender or sexuality. All our free sessions for February are now fully booked but please get in touch if you would like to book a session from March onwards.
There is also training available in ‘How to be an Ally” for anyone who wants to confidently support the LGBT+ community. The team receives many referrals from individuals, organisations and groups. If you would like to book a session or to learn more, please contact Caroline Diamond at [email protected]
News shared by Caroline on behalf of StoneCrabs Theatre. Ed
