To mark LGBT History Month 2022, the LGBT Collections Group and the Women in Law Project have started a new initiative to try to weave more LGBT stories into the University Collections. Following on from the Women in Law Knitting Collective who produced a blanket to represent the stories of the first 100 women law graduates, this project will make space for the University community to be creative and to reflect on LGBT life past and present.

For the next 12 months we will gather on the last Wednesday of the month at 1pm in the architecturally inspiring Hunterian Museum to join pieces of fabric, recording 2022 as a point in LGBT History at the University of Glasgow.

Fabric contributions

The fabric will be contributed by members of the University of Glasgow community – staff, students, alumni and friends. The fabric will represent something to the contributor about their journey in LGBT life on campus. It could be new, old, shiny, embellished or plain. It could be handwoven or cut from a favourite old sofa. It will represent the contributor in whatever way they wish. It might represent a person or an event or offer a comment on University of Glasgow LGBT life.

Telling stories

Each piece of fabric will be numbered and the contributor will leave whatever description they wish to accompany it. You might wish to tell the full story behind why you contributed the fabric, or you can contribute anonymously.

The only thing that MUST be recorded is the category of connection with the University (staff, student, alumni, friend) and the date that the piece was contributed. The contribution of the piece of fabric is just that – a contribution of a piece of fabric. It doesn’t need to be explained.

However if you want to, you can tell us about yourself or about something from UofG LGBT History in in your own way – flowing prose, poetry, a picture or a piece of music if that’s how you tell stories. Digital recordings can be accepted. All the works will be retained in the University Archive to contextualise the final joined up fabric creation.

Come along and join in

No sewing or storytelling skills are required. Contribute fabric if you want or just come along and enjoy some time with colleagues at The Hunterian at lunchtime. All LGBTQi+ and all allies are welcome to join us at 1pm on the last Wednesday of each month.

At this point there is no concrete plan – we just want to get together to do some sewing and share some stories. Pop up displays reflecting on UofG, LGBT and the Law will feature across the year so even if you don’t want to talk to us, you can come and have a look at what we are doing.

We will report back in LGBT Month 2023 and tell you what happened.

The LGBT Fabric of the University - Launch event