Newark exhibition brings queer history into the light
From a humble top hat to copies of Gay News, a powerful display is sharing local LGBTQ+ stories
An exhibition in Newark-on-Trent is inviting visitors to see local history through a queer lens.
The project has been created with journalist, author and queer historian CJ Debara, founder of the Notts Queer History Archive.
CJ says working with the museum has been a chance to shine a light on stories that haven’t always been visible.
“They wanted to bring parts of their exhibition to life and showcase some items that haven’t been shown before,” CJ explains.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to highlight LGBTQ+ life in Newark and Nottinghamshire.”
Among CJ’s favourite objects on display is an unassuming top hat.
“To many people, that might just be your average top hat,” CJ says. “But when you look at that with a queer lens and indeed a queer Nottingham lens, you can see other histories behind items like that.”
The hat opens the door to stories of music hall star Vesta Tilley, who played with gender on stage, and Anne Lister – better known to many through Gentleman Jack – who also adopted the top hat as part of her distinctive look.
There are deeply personal items too, including copies of Gay News donated by the archive, reflecting how isolated queer life could feel outside the city.
“For many people in Newark, there wasn’t an established queer anything,” CJ says.
“Lots of people had to travel into Nottingham to go to nightclubs, pubs, support services – even just to meet other queer people. Your experience was dictated by train times, whether you lived at home, and all of that.”
Before social media, those newspapers became lifelines – complete with pull-out listings showing where people could safely find community.
It’s that human connection that sits at the heart of the exhibition: everyday objects telling stories of resilience, creativity and belonging.
And time is running out to see it.
The exhibition is now in its final few days and closes on February 28 – giving visitors just a short window to catch these powerful local stories, and to discover the hidden histories that helped shape life in Newark and beyond.