The Hastings Queer History Collective

The Hastings Queer History Collective is a group of dedicated volunteers committed to collecting, preserving, and sharing the queer history of Hastings and the surrounding areas.

Originally formed in early 2020 to support Hastings Museum & Art Gallery in enhancing the visibility of queer history embedded in their collections, they have since worked on multiple LGBTQIA+ heritage and history projects. Their goal is to create a more inclusive and accepting community for everyone.

In the summer of 2023 they began a new three year project, ‘Queer Stories of Hastings and St Leonards’ which will culminate in an exhibition at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery in 2026. The collective will be researching and collecting stories and artefacts about Hasting’s queer spaces and personal histories to bring the preserve our LGBTQIA+ history beyond the museum. \\

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The collective is open to new members on an ongoing basis, whether you are an experienced historian, a skilled researcher, or just someone who is passionate about LGBTQIA+ history. Email Hannah to get involved or if you have any questions.

Past Projects include:

Hastings' Queer Places and Spaces, which featured insights from the Hastings Queer History Collective alongside a talk by radical cultural historian Dr. Diarmuid Hester, exploring the importance of remembering queer spaces.

Queer History Trail Map and Tours, a walking Trail of objects with LGBTQIA+ histories in the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery collection.

‘We’re here. We’re queer.’ exhibition, showcasing personal objects related to the participants lives and wider LGBTQIA+ narratives, featuring a series of videos created by the collective exploring the history of each object.