Background
Durham University’s LGBTQ+ history is rich and complex, shaped by broader societal shifts and struggles for equality. Yet, for decades, these stories remained in the shadows — overlooked, excluded, and absent from the university’s official records – a reflection of the stigma and marginalisation that often silenced LGBTQ+ voices.
With generous funding from the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Department, the Archives and Special Collections of the University Library and Collections Department has launched a research project to recover and share these hidden histories. I assisted University Archivist Dr Jonathan Bush in uncovering LGBTQ+ experiences within the fabric of Durham’s past — illuminating stories of resilience, community, and change.
Looking for Campus Voices
This study draws from a rich array of university archives housed at the Palace Green Library. The research explores administrative records, including internal documents such as disciplinary records, student appeals, and meeting minutes from the Durham Student Union. It also engages with various materials from student society archives, including photographs and flyers from Durham’s LGBT Society, documents from LGBTQ+-themed student theatre performances, issues of Palatinate, the DSU student newspaper, and the annual DSU handbook. To broaden the scope, the research incorporates publications and media coverage related to Durham’s LGBTQ+ issues. Together, these sources illuminate the intersections of activism, community, and creative expression within university life.
From NLF and YEAST to Today – Leading One of the Oldest LGBTQ+ Student Societies in the UK
LGBTQ+ life at Durham University was nearly invisible in the 1950s and 60s, which wasn’t surprising — male homosexuality was still a crime under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885. A rare public moment came in 1964 when Sir Cyril Osborne, a leading opponent of decriminalisation, rejected an invitation from Durham Student Union (DSU) to share his views, calling the topic “disgusting.”
But times were changing. In 1971, 4 years after the Sexual Offences Act finally decriminalised male homosexuality, Palatinate ran a feature on homosexuality, highlighting Gay Liberation Frontier (GLF), a national movement that emerged in the early 1970s and its effort to fight for LGBTQ+ rights. In 1972, the Northeast Gay Liberal Front, a lesser-known branch of the GLF, was listed in the DUS Handbook, though it wasn’t yet an official DSU society. By 1973, a new group called ‘The Yeast’ appeared in the DSU Handbook as an official LGBTQ+ society, offering casual meetups and raising awareness. The student newspaper conducted an in-depth interview with the core members of the society the following year, providing a complete picture for the students. By its tenth anniversary, it claimed to be the second-oldest gay society in the UK. While its exact ranking remains uncertain, it was undoubtedly among the earliest LGBTQ+ student organisations in the country.
Over time, the society has undergone several name changes and has demonstrated both resilience and growth. Since its inception, one of its persistent challenges has been student apathy. As early as its first year, one student wrote to Palatinate describing the scene as full of “apathy.” Despite DSU’s financial and publishing support, membership stayed low — 32 in 1978, 20 in 1983, and 40 in 1993. Student writings in Palatinate pointed to stigma and the lack of private spaces in college settings as reasons for the poor turnout.
Despite the challenges, Durham’s LGBTQ+ Society has remained a vital force on campus to create safe spaces and foster community. From confidential on-campus meetings to thought-provoking guest talks, the society has worked hard to foster connection and conversation. Every year, the society would introduce itself to the new students at Fresher’s Fair — a tradition that’s also marked in the pages of the DSU handbook.
A cornerstone of their efforts is LGBT+ Awareness Week — an event that has brought the community together since 1990. Over the years, LGBT+ Awareness Week has included panel discussions, film screenings, and social gatherings aimed at fostering the visibility of LGBTQ+ communities within the university. Even though these events have faced some pushback from the student community, like the destruction of posters in 1991, LGBT+ Awareness Week is still going strong decades later. It’s a testament to society’s resilience in the face of challenges and adversity.
Fighting for Equality: Durham’s LGBTQ+ Activism from Campus to Country
Durham’s LGBTQ+ history isn’t just a campus story — it is associated with the wider struggle for equality, where university life and national movements collide. Students and staff have long raised their voices to support LGBTQ+ rights.
A remarkable moment came in January 1981, when Durham hosted the Gay Conference at Hatfield College. Organised by the Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE), the four-day event drew over 1,000 attendees from across the country—and a storm of controversy. Letters flew between the college principal and opponents, from clergy members to concerned citizens, demanding the event be cancelled. Still, the university held its ground, creating space for celebration and support despite public backlash.
The fight for LGBTQ+ rights was a major topic in Palatinate during some of Britain’s most polarizing battles. When Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government introduced Clause 28 in 1988, which banned local authorities from “promoting” homosexuality, Durham University students pushed back against the legislation, sparking debates in the student newspaper. Additionally, in 1994, when debates heated up over lowering the age of consent for male homosexual sex, Durham students joined the national push for change. One student, in a bold act of advocacy, wrote directly to members of parliament urging equal rights — only to receive a scathing reply condemning the letter as a disgrace to the university.
But activism also sparked division. Heated debates erupted on campus, with some students condemning LGBTQ+ initiatives, while others criticised the DSU for “wasting” funds on what they deemed “minority” causes. These debates reflect the complex dynamics of LGBTQ+ histories at the university, where both support and opposition have shaped the experience.
Building Support and Community for LGBTQ+ Students at Durham
Durham Student Union (DSU) has worked to create a supportive environment where everyone feels safe and included. From providing mental health support to offering spaces for social connections, DSU has addressed the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ students and ensured that they have access to resources and advocacy every step of the way.
As early as 1977, the DSU Welfare Handbook already highlighted the discrimination faced by homosexual students, offering both awareness and practical support, including a dedicated professional who could help students navigate social discrimination.
In the 1980s, DSU launched the Gayline and Lesbianline, confidential helplines where students could seek advice in a safe and welcoming space. Promoted through Palatinate, the student newspaper, these lines ensured students knew where to turn when they needed a listening ear. Plus, the DSU student handbooks began to include listings for local LGBTQ+ friendly spots, like gay bars and pubs in Durham and Newcastle, encouraging students to connect and socialise in inclusive spaces.
A major milestone came in 1994 when DSU introduced the LGB Officer role. This position has played a key role in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, supporting students, and ensuring that their concerns are addressed at DSU.
Thanks to these ongoing efforts, DSU has played an important role in making Durham University a place where LGBTQ+ students can not only feel safe but also find a sense of community and belonging.
Reflection
One of the primary challenges of this research is the large volume of archives that need to be reviewed, many of which have not been digitised. The sheer amount of information requires significant time and effort to organise and process, making it a challenging task, particularly as this is my first time working with such a large collection.
Nevertheless, this study helps me gain a deeper understanding of LGBTQ+ histories, both within Durham University and in a broader historical and cultural context. As someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community and actively participates in the university’s LGBTQ+ society, this research was not just an academic exercise but also a personal journey. It allowed me to see how past generations of LGBTQ+ students and staff navigated university life, organised communities, and responded to societal and institutional challenges. Engaging with these histories has given me a deeper appreciation for the progress and struggles that have shaped LGBTQ+ experiences on campus.
