Surrey is a county with a rich LGBT+ history, and archivists at the Surrey History Centre are working to preserve the stories of Surrey’s LGBT+ residents, from policeman Harry Daley, lover of E. M. Forster, to Roberta Cowell, the first person in the UK to have gender reassignment surgery. By actively collecting and preserving records of Surrey’s LGBT+ people and their lived experience Surrey History Centre ensures that this history is not lost. Now we want to hear from you! This National Storytelling Week, come and tell us your Surrey LGBT+ story.

Library and archive staff are hosting an online session on the 2nd of February, giving Surrey residents the chance to add their own stories to the collection. Come and tell us your memories of being an LGBT+ person in the county, however recent, and contribute to this wonderful record of the history of our community. The night will open with a reading from Surrey History Centre staff with material from the archive, with more readings throughout the session and lots of chances to share your memories and get involved. If you don’t wish to share, then you’re also very welcome to come and listen!

This event will be recorded and a copy added to the archive at Surrey History Centre. If you wish to contribute your LGBT+ story at the event this will become part of the archive and you may be contacted by Surrey History Centre for administrative purposes through your ticket registration contact details. If you do not want your contribution in the event to be part of the archive please let us know so that your content can be edited.

If you wish to submit a written rather than spoken story for the archive after the event then we would welcome your contribution. To find out how to do this please go to What’s your Surrey LGBTQ+ Story? or email us at shs@surreycc.gov.uk. We will discuss the format and any sensitivity requirements you may have. With sensitive content you can choose to have your material closed to researchers for an agreed number of years. Please note that, due to the public nature of the event, the closed option will not be available to stories told during the event, only to written stories submitted separately. Please contact shs@surreycc.gov.uk if you have any queries.

Please note: not everyone’s experiences will be the same and the stories shared are likely to be personal in nature, and therefore it’s important that attendees are sensitive to the needs and feelings of other participants. This is a chance for all members of our community to share their memories and perspectives. Everyone’s experience is valid, and library and history centre staff will be present to moderate on the evening and ensure that the night remains a safe and respectful space.

If you would like to participate but have access requirements or concerns you would like to discuss prior to the event, please contact Grace Woodger, Group Manager – Horley Group, Surrey Library Service at grace.woodger@surreycc.gov.uk