A Captured Moment: Dawn and John-Paul
A Captured Moment: Dawn & John Paul
Queer History Collective & We Out Here
When: 15 November 2024
Time: 6.45pm-8.45pm (doors open 6.30pm)
Where: Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1ET
Ticket Price: Free, reservation essential
Join the Queer History Collective and We Out Here for an event uncovering the remarkable story behind the photograph of Dawn and John-Paul Simmons’ marriage blessing in Hastings.
Captured in 1969 at St. Clements in the Old Town, this powerful moment defied norms of race, gender, and visibility during a time when trans individuals and interracial marriages faced significant social, religious, and legal restrictions.
The evening will begin with a screening of Dawn: A Charleston Legend, directed by Ron Davis. This captivating short documentary chronicles the life of Dawn Langley Pepita Hall, a prominent trans and intersex figure from Old Heathfield, East Sussex. Shrouded in mystery and legend, she authored over 20 books, was the adopted daughter of acclaimed actress Dame Margaret Rutherford, and was designated as the heir to U.S. painter Isabel Whitney's fortune. Ultimately, she sacrificed it all to embrace her true self as a woman, wife and mother.
Dawn’s story intertwines with that of John-Paul Simmons, a young mechanic from South Carolina who became an artist and sculptor while navigating personal mental health challenges. Together, they faced intense media scrutiny and social rejection, transforming their union into a bold statement that resonates to this day.
After the film, the groups will present their shared research on the lives and times of Dawn and John-Paul, concluding the evening with an audience discussion, creating a space to reflect on the legacy of this remarkable couple.
This image is part of the ‘Black Presence in Hastings’ section of the African Caribbean Seaside Memories exhibition at Hastings Museum, running until 4 January 2025.
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The museum is set within its own grounds with free parking.
There is flat access throughout the building for wheelchair users and for people with limited mobility.
There are passenger lifts and an accessible toilet.
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Image: Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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