Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month takes place in the UK every February to celebrate the lives and achievements of members of the LGBT community. Information on events held in February 2012 organsied by the staff LGBTQ Rainbow Network and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts is below.
Hate Crime and the Police Response
Rosalba Carriera - Portrait of Gustavus Hamilton, 2nd Viscount Boyne
The Love Trail III - From a Venetian dandy to a Pre-Raphaelite Muse
"Who are you calling queer?" An exploration of queer theory and identity’
"Gaga Feminism: Pregnant Men, Heteroflexible Women and the End of Normal" - Judith “Jack” Halberstam
"Hate Crime and the Police Response"
PC Leslee Parsons, Community Cohesion Officer, West Midlands Police will speak about about hate crime and the Police response.
West Midlands Police Hate Crimes presentation (Opens in new window)
"The Love Trail III - From a Venetian dandy to a Pre-Raphaelite Muse" 
Join us for the latest in our popular Love Trail series of self-guided tour leaflets, this time looking at lovers’ secrets. Discover what lies behind the mask of Gustavus Hamilton, a young dandy in full carnival attire – and learn about the intimate nature of Countess Golovine’s knowing gaze and her relationship with the painter of her portrait, Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun. Take heed of the disastrous consequences of the illicit kiss between Paolo and Francesca, and read more Rossetti’s top-secret affair with his muse, Fanny Cornforth, in The Blue Bower… You’ll be amused and entertained as you wander through the galleries, hand-in-hand with your special someone. FREE
"In Love with Film"
When: Tuesday 14 February 6pm – 8pm
Where: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Cost: £5, booking advisable*
As part of LGBTQ History Month, join us for a romantic evening of short films and animations exploring love and desire across boundaries in lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer and straight relationships with KINO10. A firm believer in cinematic showmanship and building an event around film exhibition, Birmingham moving image exhibition project KINO 10 strives to create an alternative filmic experience through specially-curated programming and screening in unusual places. Wine and chocolates will be served along with a love trail tour and talk throughout the galleries.
“Who are you calling queer? An exploration of queer theory and identity’’
Dr. Meg Barker is senior lecturer in psychology at the Open University and editor of the journal Psychology & Sexuality. Meg will explore the meaning of ‘Queer’ – as a theory, as an identity and as a provocation to all things heteronormative. Refreshments available but numbers are limited, so arrive early!
View the presentation on the Prezi website
"Lunchtime Gallery Talk: Rosalba Carriera - Portrait of Gustavus Hamilton, 2nd Viscount Boyne
Tess Radcliffe, the Barber’s Learning & Access Officer, highlights Rosalba Carriera’s beautiful pastel and looks at the equally colourful life of its sitter, Irish peer and politican Gustavus Hamilton, 2nd Viscount Boyne. The painting is only the third major work by a woman artist to enter the Barber collection – alongside paintings by the late 18th-century French portraitist, Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, and the early 20th-century British artist, Gwen John.
“Where it all began” Dr. Graham Beards, founder of the first Gaysoc at the University of Birmingham
Dr. Beards talks about his experience starting the University's first Gay Society (GaySoc) in 1974, during a time when lesbian and gay people suffered much prejudice and homophobia.
'Where it all began' presentation (opens in new window)
View the talk on You Tube
Judith “Jack” Halberstam - "Gaga Feminism: Pregnant Men, Heteroflexible Women and the End of Normal"
When: Thursday 19 April, 6.30pm - 8pm
Where: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Cost: £7, booking essential*
Professor of English and Director of the Center for Feminist Research at University of Southern California, Judith “Jack” Halberstam is one of the world’s leading gender and queer theorists. Author of the widely-known Female Masculinity and The Drag King Book, Judith will offer a map to the new terrain of gender, sexuality and pleasure in a post-marriage, post-feminist, post-heterosexual, post-gay world and considers popular culture during the 21st century from the world’s ‘first pregnant man’ to musical icon Lady Gaga.
*For more information or to book a place please contact 0121 414 2261 or education@barber.org.uk.
