“First of its type” nationwide archiving challenge underway

LGBTQ+ younger folks throughout Scotland have lent their voices to a first-of-its-kind social historical past challenge that can protect their experiences, tales and hopes for the longer term.  

That is a part of LGBT Youth Scotland’s (Un)Seen, (Un)Heard initiative, which is capturing, collating and conserving the tales of LGBTQ+ younger folks to create a brand new everlasting archive inside the Nationwide Library of Scotland and enhance visibility, present connection throughout generations, strengthen communities and inform policymakers. 

Over 150 messages filled with hope for the longer term have already been collated within the type of recordings, letters, movies, items of artwork, banners and signed flags from workshops throughout the nation, together with attendance at six Satisfaction occasions throughout Scotland, together with the primary ever Barras Satisfaction Market, and can kind a part of a novel nationwide exhibition, at venues throughout Scotland in early 2024.  

The challenge travelled to 6 Satisfaction occasions throughout Scotland to interview younger folks, together with Highland Satisfaction, Oban Satisfaction and the primary ever Barras Satisfaction Market in Glasgow. 

Ali Kerr, Head of Partnerships at LGBT Youth Scotland says the charity has been thrilled with the response from younger folks in Scotland.   

She stated: “It’s very important we seize the experiences of LGBTQ+ younger folks to present them a way of delight in who they’re, in addition to giving them hope for the longer term.

 The response we’ve had for this challenge is unimaginable and we hope that bridging the previous and current will assist us all make Scotland a spot the place all younger folks can thrive. 

“We’re trying ahead to constructing on the exhibition for its launch early subsequent 12 months and we’re urging people who haven’t taken half and wish to share their story to get in contact.” 

The three-year challenge, which is funded by the Nationwide Lottery Heritage Fund, has engaged with youth teams throughout the nation to develop younger folks’s heritage expertise.  

Younger folks in Perth got an archivist led tour of Perth Archives and delivered coaching with Our Story Scotland and the Scottish Council for Archives to develop expertise in archiving and social historical past.  

In an thrilling collaboration, the Nationwide Library of Scotland, the place the challenge’s tales will finally be held, has welcomed teams to find out about its present collections and make their very own zines impressed by the archives.  

They’ve offered a secure and welcoming house for teams to become involved with the (Un)seen, (Un)heard challenge. Most not too long ago Lavender Menace, who’re operating their very own archiving challenge, visited and recorded an intergenerational oral historical past. 

LGBT Youth Scotland continues to ask LGBTQ+ younger folks to become involved by sharing their lived experiences by way of workshops, on-line submission types and social media. Their voices will turn into a robust a part of Scotland’s story when the exhibition launches in early 2024. 

LGBT Youth Scotland is Scotland’s nationwide charity for Lesbian, Homosexual, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQ+) younger folks aged 13-25.  

LGBTQ+ younger folks face distinctive and extra limitations to realising their potential and LGBT Youth Scotland have been working for 20 years to take away these limitations and create a Scotland the place all younger folks can thrive and flourish.  

It really works alongside younger folks to take away these limitations; each individually, and by amplifying their collective voices to affect change. 

The charity was not too long ago awarded the Participation and Youth Voice award on the Nationwide Youth Work Awards for its work with the Trans Rights Youth Fee, and a decide’s commendation on the Proud Scotland Awards for the Charity Initiative award. 

If you’re taken with submitting your story to the (Un)seen, (Un)heard archive or wish to know extra concerning the challenge, e mail [email protected]. 

For extra data on LGBT Youth Scotland, go to: https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/