Have you ever wondered what queer historical figures were like, beyond the court records? 

Tomara Garrod (Research Fellow at the Centre for Queer History) has developed a workshop using creative writing exercises to help us build our own, intimate connection with queer history. Tomara will present us with their research into medieval England, particularly on the life of Eleanor Rykener, as source material for us to work with. This workshop is open to all, regardless of your experience with creative writing or history. Join us as we explore the past, guided by our emotions and bodily experiences to build intimate relationships with our ancestors. Sign up today!

Tomara’s speculative approach resonates with the series of talks hosted by LGBT Humanists in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s that explored LGBT humanist interpretations of historical figures. Similarly, in our recent Picturing Nonconformity exhibition, contemporary LGBT artists were invited to create their own versions of LGBT humanist historical figures, who were chosen for their power to inspire LGBT Humanists today. Tomara’s workshop is your chance to create your own speculative vision of a historical figure that inspires LGBT Humanists today.