About

In 2010 museologist Amy K. Levin (Levin, 2010) stated that in museum work there is little evidence of the contribution of lesbians to society, and that this mirrors the silences, gaps, and distortions of lesbian lives in LGBTQ+ histories in general. Museums are about people. The collections are manifestations of human desire. But some human desires have been ignored resulting in little or no representation in these institutions.

By examining Brighton’s Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust collections, the main aim of this research is to investigate the representation of lesbian histories. It will interrogate the written archive records of the current collection to uncover the neglect of the under representation of lesbian women. To challenge heteronormative and historically institutionalised museum practices in displays and text panels, the project will engage with participants; lesbian women from the local community who will work together with the researcher to present solutions to the Trust for wider inclusivity in the collection. This would benefit the museum audience at large, by reflecting a wider representation of society.