School of Museum Studies to host Susan Ferentinos for the Research Seminar: "The United States Grapples with the Queer Past"

The University of Leicester's School of Museum Studies will host a special research seminar, "The United States Grapples with the Queer Past" by Susan Ferentinos, on November 29th, 2017 at 1:00pm. The seminar will take place in the Learning Studio of the Museum Studies Building at 19 University Road, Leicester LE1 7RF.

In the United States, mainstream discussion of the history of same-sex love and desire is still relatively uncommon, although that fact is rapidly changing. Spurred on by growing social acceptance of LGBTQ individuals and the federal government’s nationwide LGBTQ Heritage Initiative, more and more museums and historic sites are introducing queer topics into their programming and exhibitions. This presentation will offer an overview of recent efforts in this area, as well as considering some ongoing challenges for bringing the queer past to a wide audience.

The presenter, Susan Ferentinos, is a public history researcher, writer, and consultant based in the United States and specializing in inclusive interpretation and historic preservation. Her current projects include a survey of potential U.S. National Historic Landmarks related to LGBTQ history and consulting with the Stonewall National Monument on the historical significance of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City. Dr. Ferentinos is the author of Interpreting LGBT History at Museums and Historic Sites (Rowman & Littlefield), which won the 2016 book award from the National Council on Public History.