We’ve Always Been Here with Suzanne Elvidge & Chris Dowd

Queer history is North Yorkshire history – and some of its stories are stranger, more moving and more surprising than you might imagine. Writers Suzanne Elvidge and Chris Dowd uncover the hidden LGBTQIA+ lives woven through almost two thousand years of the region’s past. From a transgender priestess who died in the 4th century and mysterious hauntings at Scarborough Castle, to 1920s drag kings and the scandals surrounding a gay MP in the 1950s, We’ve Always Been Here brings remarkable forgotten stories back into the light. Expect an entertaining journey through North Yorkshire’s hidden history, alongside a fascinating discussion about how we understand sexuality and gender in the past – and the challenges of applying today’s language to people who lived centuries ago. Suzanne Elvidge is a North Yorkshire writer whose work spans science, history and the arts. Her acclaimed monologues recover lost and forgotten voices, particularly those of women, and her first solo collection, Dancing in Heaven, explores women’s experiences during the 1980s HIV/AIDS crisis. Chris Dowd is a writer, theologian and author whose work has long explored LGBTQIA+ lives and faith. He is the co-author of Transfaith and Transforming Church and is currently writing a book with Suzanne exploring queer historical figures across Yorkshire and the North East. Perfect for lovers of local history, queer history and anyone who simply enjoys an extraordinary true story. Due to popular demand we are running this event at both 5:00pm and 7:00pm.