To mark this year's LGBT+ History Month, Kingston University's staff and students have come together to honour this year's theme, Politics in Art: The Arc is Long. An ode to a Martin Luther King quote exploring art, media, and politics, the theme will be explored through many avenues throughout the month, from individual pieces to big ticket events that aren't to be missed.
The University's LGBTQ+ Staff Network and students directly support those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and/or asexual. We recognise the importance of promoting a more inclusive environment through increasing visibility of the LGBT+ community and advancing education so that LGBT+ people can reach their full potential.
Look out for a programme of events being held by the University and the Union of Kingston Students throughout February.
LGBT+ History Month highlights and celebrates the LGBT+ community and in 2022 the theme is ‘Politics in Art: The Arc is Long'. There is an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of artists pointing at issues, raising awareness, questioning stereotypes and offering different ways to examine the world and society. The list of writers, performers, directors and practitioners who have, through their artworks, gently invoked or forcefully implored an audience to consider LGBTQ+ experiences, is long.
Felix Gonzalez-Torres' work "Untitled" (Perfect Lovers), 1991, is a presentation of two battery-powered clocks on a light blue wall. When one of the clocks stops or breaks the instructions are that both must be reset to resume synchronicity.
I discovered Gonzalez-Torres in the early 1990s. I was in Edinburgh during a period of exceptional trauma, living and working amongst friends who were subject to the impact of HIV and AIDs before there was any treatment. There is a biographical connection through artists that were discussed, work people were making and the political environment that people were living through. I'm drawn to this work specifically through my own interest in doubles and the notion of the doppelganger. It may have elements of momento mori, but it is also about a human attempt to replicate processes, objects, situations, people in order to still or extend time. It may be an attempt to capture something intangible that is both hopeless and yet is filled with an affirmation of companionship and desire.
The rainbow flag is the most synonymous symbol used to represent the LGBT+ community. However, the flag and its associations have evolved. Kingston University has embraced the Pride flag this year by displaying banners around the campuses and creating a choice of LGBT+ inspired Teams backgrounds.
Below, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, Simon Collins, gives a brief explanation of the Pride flags. The list isn't exhaustive but illustrates a range of the flags developed over time that, through the colours and symbols used, represent the LGBT+ growing community.
The following video also gives a short history of the rainbow flag.
Kingston University's Dr David Nilsson discusses the history of the word 'Queer'.
The episode explores how reclaiming a word requires respect, understanding and tolerance.
To celebrate our diversity, inclusivity and inclusion the STTB staff network have purchased a range of books and e-books, available in the Libraries.
These are on a range of topics related to LGBTQ+ Do take a browse of the list of resources. They may help inform your work, teaching, practice or understanding, or challenge your perceptions or preconceptions. Happy browsing and reading.