Queer Newark

"Presenting the Queer Past: Many Perspectives, Many Options, Many Questions," a talk by Dr. Sue Ferentinos
October 26, 2017 | 5:30pm
Dana Room, 4th Floor Dana Library, 185 University Avenue.

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 interactive talk 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. Susan Ferentinos is a public history researcher, writer, and consultant, specializing in inclusive interpretation and historic preservation. Her current projects include a survey of potential National Historic Landmarks related to LGBTQ history in the northeast; a National Register nomination for the home of sexologist Alfred Kinsey; and consulting with the Stonewall National Monument on the historical significance of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. 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.