Author: Georgia R. Petts

Students’ LGBT History Month

Transitional States took place in February 2018 in Lincoln, during LGBT History Month. An annual event, LGBT History Month has been held in the UK since 2005 and provides people with the opportunity to focus on the culture of their community, celebrate its victories, and continue to call for equality through protests and rallies.   Chloe Unsworth helped the Transitional States Programme Director, Chiara Beccalossi, as the Public Engagement Support Officer, and worked closely with students at the University of Lincoln as part of the programme, especially in the development of the cases of objects dedicated to demonstrating and explaining how they express their sexual or gender identity.   When asked about the students’ experiences taking part in the exhibition, Chloe commented that it meant a lot to them.   “Not only was it an amazing opportunity for students to celebrate both their gender and/or sexual identity during LGBT History Month, it was also a fantastic...

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A Safe Space for Students

In February the University of Lincoln hosted a video art exhibition and a programme of events, Transitional States, led by Dr Chiara Beccalossi, a senior lecturer at the University. Society often gets caught up in the politics of discussions surrounding gender and identity, however the exhibition created a safe place for students, who curated three cabinets of objects that showed how they expressed their gender identity.   One object was a handmade chest binder supplied by Sam. This item appears to be well worn and, as the owner’s description said, it was used not only by them, but also a friend. Sam uses this item to define their struggle with gender identity, as well as society’s need to put everyone into one of two categories, male or female. The binder symbolises the freedom that de-gendering yourself can provide when you do not feel like you belong in one of two boxes. The...

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