ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the work of historians Sacha Coward and Sheldon K. Goodman on LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) focused projects at three cemeteries in the UK: Brompton Cemetery, Arnos Vale Cemetery and Tower Hamlets Cemetery. In particular, it uses these as case studies to explore some of the complexities of working with queer identities in the past. From these projects, one can see that celebrating the lives of queer people who are long deceased is vitally important work for the living, and for the field of social history itself. The conclusion is also that well-rounded historical research should empower living LGBTQ+ people today. This chapter acknowledges and explores some of the hurdles innate to this work; many people in the past would not have used terms such as gay, bisexual, transgender or lesbian to describe themselves. For many, these words or their specific contemporary meanings did not exist. Also, many “queer” people lived exceedingly secret lives; out of fear of recrimination and ostracisation they actively hid their identities. This piece outlines an example of the way in which LGBTQ+ researchers and historians can navigate a presumed conflict in their work, which stems from these issues; namely, staying true to the lived experience of voiceless queer people in the past, whilst being authentic, valid and respectful, when presenting them to the living.
