Just over eight years ago, Panti Bliss stood on the stage of the Abbey, the National Theatre of Ireland and gave a speech about homophobia that galvanised attention not just in Ireland but around the world. As Panti points out, homophobia is internalised. It becomes part of our bodies, our minds, our relationships and our cultures. According to a survey by Just Like Us, 73% of LGBT+ people aged between 11 to 18 in Wales have experienced suicidal thoughts and feelings. Panti’s Noble Call reminds us that we continue to have work to do. Next month as part of the National Museum of Ireland’s celebration of LGBT+ history, Mark Etheridge, who is Curator at St Fagan’s National Museum of History in Cardiff, will give a presentation online about ongoing work with individuals and community groups to collect objects for the St Fagan’s collection that represent contemporary LGBTQ+ experiences and events in Wales.
Curated by Fearghus Ó Conchúir for #PethauBychain