iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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CILIP LGBTQ+ Network @ciliplgbtq.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

“Organisations need to be seen as organic, with constantly growing collections and interpretations” @jskstarr.bsky.social #CILIPNWPride #LGBTQ+

Photo of the Lesbian and Gays support the miners banner

Photo of @jskstarr from the People’s History Museum standing behind a laptop and desk delivering a talk. JSK is wearing a colourful shirt and dark trousers.

Photo of a whiteboard slide showing a photo of a white tshirt from the anti section 28 march with the words ‘Never going underground’ on it.

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CILIP LGBTQ+ Network @ciliplgbtq.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Next up at our @ciliplgbtq.bsky.social and @cilipnw.bsky.social joint event is @jskstarr.bsky.social from @phm.org.uk outlining the impact of #Section28 on #museums, catalogues and collections. “We are still playing catch up” and they’re are knowledge gaps. #LGBTQ #CilipNWPride

Photo of a whiteboard display with the words “we have always been here” with 3 photos
One is of a pride march, one is of a banner with the words “act up Manchester” and one is of an exhibition.

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Margaret Middleton @magmidd.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Crucially, Jaime points out that interpreting marginalised histories is often taken up by minoritised museum workers, many times working outside the scope of their assigned roles. We need to recognise this extra labour and allocate staff hours to support these workers. @jskstarr.bsky.social

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Colleen Morgan @clmorgan.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Loved this quote in an article about kids' engagement, participation and inclusion in museums, but first and foremost: "Children have the right to be fully included in public spaces" doi.org/10.1177/0907...

Children have the right to be fully included in public spaces, and an effective way to do this is to encourage their participation and respect their responses (Nikonanou, et al., 2020). This can be achieved through the curation of the space with a focus on accessibility and inclusion. The careful placing of artefacts, opportunities for handing and the accessibility of information for all would benefit the space. In addition, opportunities for children to create culture in response to exhibits on their own terms may increase their engagement and interest. This can be achieved through drawing, making, playing, dancing, singing, dressing up, touching and handling objects and through expressing their views. It is evident that children follow their own interests and form their own agendas in public spaces, rather than the agendas of adults (Blundell, 2016). Museums, therefore, should reject a protectionist vulnerability discourse of childhood and embrace a discourse of competence and empowerment by recognising children’s ability to understand difficult concepts and respond. Museums should, therefore, encourage children’s responses, participation and creativity and embrace children’s intangible, transitory culture rather than imposing an adult agenda of learning and didacticism.

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Erin L. Thompson @artcrimeprof.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

It’s weird to me that scholars keep writing that John Singer Sargent was a very private man who left no evidence of his sexuality when his sketches are like the definition of being horny on main, 19th century style.

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Margaret Middleton @magmidd.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

"What if my museum doesn't have a queer collection?" Jaime says YES YOU DO! Every museum, every city, every community has queer history. It takes research and dedication to find these stories, says @jskstarr.bsky.social

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Margaret Middleton @magmidd.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Jaime Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social speaking about using queer or LGBTQ in museums: not everyone will agree. You might get pushback about ANY term. The key is to choose your terms thoughtfully, stay consistent, and train staff to explain the museum's choice.

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Last Thursday was the proudest night of my career so far. Hosting the sold out Solidarity Forever: 40 Years of LGSM at People's History Museum (@phm.org.uk) interviewing Mike Jackson and Jonathan Blake, and co-curating the pop-up LGSM exhibition was a dream come true.

(left to right) Jaime Starr (a long haired femme wearing a rainbow shirt, and Pits and Perverts t-shirt), Mike Jackson (an older man wearing glasses, a blue shirt and knitted sweater vest) and Jonathan Blake (an older man wearing glasses, a padded jacket, kilt and tartan shirt) sitting on stage. Jaime and Jonathan are laughing, while Jonathan speaks into a microphone.

(left to right) Jonathan Blake, Jaime Starr and Mike Jackson standing smiling in front of the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners banner in the galleries at People's History Museum.

The pop-up exhibition space, crowded with visitors. The walls are hung with photographs on exhibition boards, and the back wall features a bright pink 'Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners Manchester' banner. All objects are part of People's History Museum's collection.

An interpretation panel hanging from a wall. Pink text: "Now it is more important than ever for black and white to unite to fight racism; lesbians, gay men and heterosexuals to fight sexism, trade unionists are fighting to keep jobs, decent wages and working conditions and old and young alike are fighting for a dignified retirement for the elderly, training, jobs and further education for school-leavers." LGSM, 1985.

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

I am thrilled to be presenting at the Museums + Heritage Show this year! "We Have Always Been Here" - Highlighting Marginalised Voices in Permanent Collections shares my work curating LGBTQIA+ Hidden History tours at People's History Museum. Free tickets: show.museumsandheritage.com/2025-programme

An orange coloured advert for the Museums and Heritage Show program launch - it shows a person wearing white, standing at a lectern and smiling. Text:
Excited to be presenting at the Museum and Heritage Show on May 14! Book your free ticket now! My workshop will show you how to curate marginalised history tours within permanent galleries that show limited objects from those communities."

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

🎉 Trans+ History Week has been shortlisted for a DIVA Award! We need your votes! Please vote for us to win charity or community project of the year: www.surveymonkey.com/r/3SK3YQX 🗳️ #DIVAawards25 #LVW25

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

My latest blog for @phm.org.uk for LGBT+ History Month is a brief overview of UK HIV activism from the beginning of the epidemic to the present. phm.org.uk/blogposts/a-...

A mounted poster designed like a comicstrip showing a 1940s detective in a yellow trench coat and hat making out with Superman, Robin, and Batman. The strip is captioned Dick around? Safe sex every time!
The poster was created by ACT UP! Manchester in 1994 and is part of People's History Museum's collection. NMLH.2004.10.1.33

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

It was an absolute pleasure to give an LGBT+ History Month lecture on Section 28 (the UK's version of a 'Don't Say Gay' law) at the Belfast office of Herbert Smith Freehills this week, discussing the societal environment in which the law was introduced, its impacts and legacy.

A group of 13 people in front of a powerpoint on a screen titled Section 28, a milestone on the road to equality.

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

She bop. Absolutely AMAZING gig tonight from Cyndi Lauper on her farewell tour.

Cyndi Lauper silhouetted on stage, a mic stand in her hand.

Cyndi Lauper brandishing a floaty gauze rainbow flag on stage.

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Shirin Hirsch @shirinhirsch.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Welcome over here to People's History Museum @phm.org.uk - please give them a follow!

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

The US govt website purge has highlighted something that we in the heritage industry have been talking about for years - the fragility of digital only records. 🧵with practical suggestions.

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Dr Robert Bohan @robertbohan.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Please sign this petition to ban ‘gay conversion*’ throughout the EU. The UN considers such brainwashing as a form of mental torture. eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...

eci.ec.europa.eu

European Citizens' Initiative

Give your support !

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Dr Robert Bohan @robertbohan.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

We just need 2,200 Irish people to sign it for the Irish quota to be met in the petition. Please share widely. In a world where social media supports fascism, it’s important to stand up for human rights.

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

I had so much fun leading a tour and facilitating at our LGBT+ History Month archive open day at People's History Museum yesterday morning. As I told the attendees, my favourite kind of mornings are on event prep days where I delve into the collection & archive to find exciting queer items to share!

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Margaret Middleton @magmidd.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

In case anyone thought "no fats no femmes" was new

An excerpt from a column in Gay News by Roger Baker, 1973. He's writing about computer dating and the difference in personal ads in the US vs the UK- apparently the Americans were being VERY specific in their ads.

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Margaret Middleton @magmidd.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Some useful info from the archive. #LGBTQHistoryMonth

A yellow booklet, photocopied, typed on a typewriter, stapled along the side. The title is "Gays Against Fascism"

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Margaret Middleton @magmidd.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Then our tour got to look at collections they'd pulled from the archive- what a treasure trove. #LGBTQHistoryMonth

A lineup of Gay News magazines from the 80s and 70s

The cover of "Growing Up Gay: A Youth Liberation Pamphlet" featuring black and white graphite drawings of a young lesbian couple laughing and embracing and a gay couple asleep in one anothers arms

A worn yellow smiley face sticker on a faux leather album. The sticker has the message "gay is good"

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Margaret Middleton @magmidd.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Enjoyed a queer tour of the People's History Museum today with the brilliant @jskstarr.bsky.social 🌈⚒️

Jaime Starr speaks in front of a rainbow banner for ASLEF union reading "Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Members Fighting Prejudice fighting intolerance" in the Peoples History Museum in Manchester

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

'Applicants should have no more than seven years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry).' Deadline is 18 March, so get your skates on.

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Bruno J. Navarro @brunojnavarro.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

“Once you decide that a single vulnerable minority can be sacrificed, you’re operating within a fascist logic,” they said. “That means there might be a second one you’re willing to sacrifice and a third, a fourth. Then what happens?”

thepinknews.com

Abandoning trans people is 'fascist logic', says leading feminist philosopher

Leading feminist philosopher Judith Butler has declared that abandoning trans people or any minority is operating within 'fascist logic'.

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

It was an early start today for an interview on Gaydio Manchester about LGBT+ History Month & People's History Museum's exciting events - tours, an archive open day and our LGSM night on Feb 27th! Tickets: phm.org.uk/whats-on Listen here: gaydio.co.uk/manchester/player/on-demand/andrew-edwards

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Trans+ History Week @transhistoryweek.com · 02/02/2025

Some of our creative community are on Bluesky. On this Starter Pack: trans, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex writers, journalists, artists, audio producers, researchers, musicians and photographers that have worked with us to celebrate Trans+ history. go.bsky.app/Hjvhu6J

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Writing for this book was such a privilege. The stories held in it are vital to our understanding of the impact Section 28 had on all those who lived, learned and worked through it.

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Reconnecting Rainbows Press @reconnectingrainbo.ws · 01/02/2025

Two years ago we published TWENTY-EIGHT, a collection of stories from the Section 28 generation. Edited by @kestr.al and containing works from 28 incredible contributors, this book is an important look at the impact of the UK's "don't say gay" law. www.reconnectingrainbows.co.uk/books/twenty...

A banner image that reads contains the review quote "... a new kind of history" and features an image of the book 'Twenty-Eight'. Below this are the words "Twenty-eight stories from the Section 28 Generation. In bookshops and online 1st February 2023".

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Writing for @wearequeeraf.com has been so amazing (esp having my debut article launch the first ever Trans+ History Week!). What I've learned from the articles by my fellow contributors, & the nurturing peer chats has been utterly invaluable. Everyone in this pack is worth a follow!!

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

"You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it. —Pirkei Avot (2:21)" "We are not alone, as anarchists and Jews, in our ethical imperative to wrestle with every type of authority."

itsgoingdown.org

Don’t Just Do Nothing: 20 Things You Can Do to Counter Fascism

Jewish anarchists weigh-in on how people can organize and act in the changing terrain. For a zine PDF, go here. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it. ...

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Mia Sato @miasato.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Can you copy the vibe of a story about a case of a creator copying the vibe of someone else?

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Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 05/12/2024

Strong work everyone!! bsky.app/profile/meli...

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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 05/12/2024

Trans folks held a dance party in the Capitol bathroom to protest the bathroom ban on there.

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Elsa Devienne @elsadevienne.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

'Doing a history PhD is useless and a waste of taxpayers' money' blah blah... Researching the past can yield so many treasures we have no idea we need until we actually need them.

Screenshot of article about the restoration of Notre Dame with highlighted the fact that the restoration was made possible thanks to the fact a PhD student had studied the timber frame before it burnt down completely

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𓆑 @bberkeley.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Rest in Peace, Bill Goodman 1940-2023. He represented prisoners in the Attica prison riots, Guantanamo detainees, victims of Agent Orange, Muslims illegally detained after 9/11, the teens in the "Central Park Jogger" case. He took on the Bush administration and the NYCPD. youtu.be/nWEpW6KOZDs?...

youtu.be

NLG Know Your Rights reminder: Shut the f*** up!

YouTube video by National Lawyers Guild, Detroit & MI

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Andrea Ritchie @dreanyc123.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Today is the last day to download #PracticingNewWorlds & more great books for free from AK Press! www.akpress.org/featured-pro... Also check out free ebooks from @haymarketbooks.org here: www.haymarketbooks.org/blogs/517-te...

akpress.org

Featured Products: Free ebooks - Featured

Worker-run. Collectively-managed. Anarchist publishing and distribution since 1990.

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Leiracal Muse @leiracalmuse.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

A reminder than the Lemkin Institute, whose founder originally coined the word "genocide," says what's being done to trans people is, in fact, a genocide. To go further, they specifically called out "gender critical" movements as the genocidal ideologies. www.lemkininstitute.com/statements-n...

lemkininstitute.com

Statement on the Genocidal Nature of the Gender Critical Movement’s Ideology and Practice

November 29, 2022 The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention voices its concern over the growing number of laws introduced in the United States that target transgender individuals and the transgend...

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Heike Bauer @heikebauer.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Call for conference contributions to ‘Queer Pasts: What’s Queer in Queer History?’ taking place in Copenhagen in May 2025. CFP deadline is 10 January 25.

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Arts Emergency @artsemergency.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Hello friends! We're just getting set up here. Give us a follow if you already know our work, or if you think the creative and cultural industries are in a state of emergency and want to do something about it. You can find our more about who we are and what we do here: arts-emergency.org/about-us

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

This has been my first weekend in about 2 months where I've not been prepping freelance work or recovering from conferences. Add all my summer weekends prepping my MA dissertation & that's a long time without proper rest. So I spent the weekend watching 60s musicals & finally feel properly relaxed!

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Mary @maryruthie.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

"How we stand here is important, how we breathe." Canadian writer Madeleine Thien donated the entirety of her $25,000 Writers' Trust of Canada prize to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Lebanese Red Cross and the Woodcock Fund.

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Melissa Florer-Bixler @melissaf-b.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

A poem for my last day working at the writing center for the semester (by Joseph Fasano)

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Solomon @solomonrmissouri.com · 22/11/2024

Your purpose on earth is not to argue with people who intentionally want to misunderstand you

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J.S.K. Starr @jskstarr.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Gosh this starter pack of museums and cultural organisations is super helpful! go.bsky.app/HPQsZAu

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Sara McDougall @sarannmcd.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

“He started with Jordan Petersen videos on how to break big tasks into smaller ones and by the time Maisie ended her relationship with him, she says he was screaming at her that feminism was taking over the world and ruining everything.”

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Hana Ayoob @hanaayoob.co.uk · 20/11/2024

ScienceWrite, a UK scheme for aspiring STEM writers from minoritised backgrounds, is open for 2025 applications! The 3rd year @romatheengineer.bsky.social & I are running this, with support from @royalsociety.bsky.social & I am SO EXCITED Deadline 3rd Jan #SciComm 🧪 www.sciencewrite.co.uk

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