Posted on behalf of Nigel Grimmer, Proud Heritage, the National LGBT
Museum...
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
Dear Friends

As you may know I am on the board of trustees for Proud Heritage, the
National LGBT Museum.
This project has been in the development stage for some time.

This weekend the first public stage of the project 'went live', the
Proud Heritage website:

http://www.proudheritage.org <http://www.proudheritage.org/>  
 

The website contains a number of projects; all of which can be updated
by the public.
Anyone can submit their memories or thoughts to any part of the project,
including a queer Googlemap of London.

Hopefully a physical version of the museum will be produced at some
point in the future!

Check out the website for more information, press release below.

Best wishes

Nigel
 
Please contact [log in to unmask]  or if you have any
feedback or Nigel on [log in to unmask]

_____________________________


       
        Issued 20 April
        News Release
        Issued on behalf of Proud Heritage
       
        For immediate publication
        Further information from Jack Gilbert, Executive Director Proud
Heritage 07719 378143
       
________________________________


        STARTS>
        Proud Heritage, the national LGBT museum, has it's first working
day open to the public tomorrow MONDAY 21 APRIL
       
        Http://www.proudheritage.org
<http://http//www.proudheritage.org>
<http://http//www.proudheritage.org <http://http//www.proudheritage.org>
>  went live on schedule over the weekend, is now open for business. 
       
        Withendorsements from leading figures in both the lesbian and
agy communityand the heritage sector ringing in his ears from two events
held at theNatural History Museum last week, Jack Gilbert , Executive
Director, remarks:
        'This is more than just a staging post to creating a physical
presence,which our clear goal. Proud Heritage is seeking to reformulate
how amuseum can be in the 21st Century. The launch of the online museum
isthe first public step in what has already been a three-year journey
tocreate a national museum reflecting British lesbian, gay,
bisexual,trans history and cultural ancestry in all its rich diversity.
        'It's cutting edge, and not just for being queer!  The internet
createsnew ways to collect, share and exhibit our own life experiences,
localhistory and collective memory. Together. It will help
developprofessional and community networks, disseminate ideas and
goodpractices, and help build regional collections. But most of all
itmakes collecting, interpreting and exhibiting a shared,
interactiveexperience combining documents, objects and user generated
content,including images and video.'
       
        At a hustings for the LGBT communities on Saturday, all 4 major
candidates pledged their support for Proud Heritage. The central vision
and purpose of Proud Heritage is set out in the Proud Manifesto (
http://www.proudheritage.org/be_proud/content/the_proud_manifesto
<http://www.proudheritage.org/be_proud/content/the_proud_manifesto>  ).
       
        A unique London project Walking Proud in London (see
http://www.proudheritage.org/walking/content/walking_proud_in_london
<http://www.proudheritage.org/walking/content/walking_proud_in_london>
) queers Googlemap technology to collect and diaply multimedia material.
It has been in part funded by the Mayor of London.
       
        The press briefing held last Tuesday is now available online at
http://www.proudheritage.org/home/content/launch
<http://www.proudheritage.org/home/content/launch>  and see the home
page http://www.proudheritage.org/ <http://www.proudheritage.org/> .
Watch the speeches of Tony Tibbles, Director of Merseyside
MaritimeMuseum and founder of the International Slavery Museum,
BenSummerskill, Director of Stonewall, Nick Poole, Director of
theCollections Trust, Suzanne Keeene, head of Museum Studies at UCL,
andBrian Paddick, London Mayoral candidate.
       
        At a public event lastMonday, also in the Natural History
Museum, Peter Tatchell gave a rarebiographic interview over two hours in
front of well over 100 people.Of Proud Heritage, Peter Tatchell  says:
        'I regard it as avisionary project of critical importance for
the integration of queerhistory and heritage into British cultural
life.'
       
        The online museum has been developed with leading international
agency, Thoughtworks. Allen Gahn, Client Principal from ThoughtWorks,
Proud Heritage's development partner,comments: 'being involved in and
enabling the daily evolution of anorganisation's vision is exciting and
challenging, and in ProudHeritage, that is combined with a cause we are
delighted to support. Agenuinely entrepreneurial endeavour, there is
potential for ProudHeritage to pave the way for a new generation of
museums.'
       
        Nick Poole, Director of the Collections Trust,which is
responsible for setting the standards in British museums,comments: 'The
Collections Trust (formerly MDA), applauds ProudHeritage on the work
achieved already, and we look forward to asuccessful first few years.
        'Proud Heritage is not only an importantstep forward for the
UK's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendercommunity. It is also leading
the way in showing the cultural heritagesector how we can work more
openly with all communities. '
       
        TheCollections Trust believes that everyone everywhere should
have theright to access and benefit from cultural heritage. Proud
Heritage isan outstanding example of how culture can help people
connect.'
       
        Sharon Ament Director Public Engagement The Natural History
Museum, adds:
        'TheNatural History Museum really values diversity, both natural
diversityand cultural diversity. We are supportive of initiatives such
as ProudHeritage and recognise the value that gay and lesbian people
make toculture and scientific endeavour, this contribution merits
widerrecognition and deeper exploration.'
       
        Cllr Paul Fairweather Lead Member for Gay Men's Issues at
Manchester City Council  sends their endorsement:
        'Manchester City Council sends its congratulations to Proud
Heritage onits commitment to buidling a National LGBT musuem and
congratulates youon adopting the idea of placing rainbow plaques to
remember our historyand heritage. Our LGBT Heritage Trail Out in the
Past  provides aunique opportunity to discover the hidden LGBT history
of the city ofManchester and has become a key tourist atraction in the
city.
       
              <ENDS
       
       




HADRIAN: EMPIRE AND CONFLICT
Exhibition opens 24 July 2008
Discover the life, love and legacy of Rome's most enigmatic emperor.
BOOK TICKETS NOW
+44 (0)20 7323 8181
www.britishmuseum.org 


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