By Adrian Murphy. Main Image: The National Trust takes part in this year's Birmingham Pride event
The National Trust has teamed up with TV presenter Clare Balding for a series of podcasts on its LGBTQ heritage as it launches new material for its Prejudice & Pride programme that marks the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexual acts
The six-part podcast series, Prejudice & Pride, is presented by broadcaster and author Clare Balding and launches tomorrow (21 July) and explores stories from National Trust places across the country, uncovering the LGBTQ heritage that has often been left out of recorded history.
Each podcast brings together studio discussions and recordings at Trust places, with contributions from new and established writers, historians and curators and is part of the Trust’s wider year-long Prejudice and Pride programme. The episodes of the podcasts follow a theme, such as women’s intimacies, creative retreats, queer history in the ancient world and connections with the performing arts.
Balding said she was delighted to present some of the creative, dramatic and surprising stories that have emerged as part of the National Trust’s Prejudice & Pride programme. “I think it’s crucial to realise that LGBTQ heritage and LGBTQ people are not a new phenomenon or a passing phase,” she said. “There have always been people of amazing creativity, generosity and importance who do not conform to gender stereotypes. I feel we can get better at embracing difference. Realising the impact of the LGBTQ community as a key part of our British heritage is a step in the right direction.”
The podcasts – to be released weekly – are among the latest series of activities and events announced by the Trust in its year-long Prejudice & Pride programme to mark 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality.
As well as the podcasts artists in residence have created three short films capturing the stories of The Caravan club, Pre-Raphaelite artist Simeon Solomon at Whitwick Manor (link below) and highlights from Birmingham Pride festival and a new guidebook uncovers hidden LGBTQ stories from around the country.
Tom Freshwater, National Programmes Manager at the National Trust said Prejudice & Pride was not just a year-long celebration but one which would give the Trust a lasting legacy and offer a greater understanding, accessibility and higher profile for LGBTQ heritage that will benefit us all.
“There is an extraordinary range of stories and people connected to our places which illustrates how deeply LGBTQ heritage goes back into our shared history,” he said. “Thousands of visitors have already enjoyed theatre performances, art installations and exhibitions as part of our programme so far this year, as well as taking part in our partnership projects with University of Leicester and The National Archives, and joining us as we participate at Pride festivals.
The podcasts will be available on iTunes, Soundcloud and via a link on the LGBTQ section of the National Trust’s website.
