Ways of Feeling.
A Pride Month Exhibition
1–30 June 2020
A celebration of LGBTQ+ writers, artists & publications from across history on the 20th anniversary of the Scottish parliament’s repeal of the U.K. government’s homophobic legislation, Section 28.
Coinciding with Pride Month 2020, Room & Book is proud to present “Ways of Feeling” an online exhibition throughout June which marks the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament’s landmark repeal of Section 28. Passed by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government in 1988, Section 28 legislated: “local authorities shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.” This effectively gave tacit licence to existing prejudice in schools and the broader community. Scotland’s decision to repeal the legislation on the 21st of June 2000, led to a UK-wide repeal three years later.
The exhibition includes probably the most politically important picture book of the late 20th century, Jenny Lives With Eric and Martin. Written by Suzanne Bösche in 1981 and published in English in 1983 by the Gay Men's Press, Jenny Lives With Eric and Martin became the centre of the debate that led to the passing of the Section 28 law. Perhaps the first English-language children's book to discuss homosexuality, the book describes, in text and photos, a few days in the life of a five-year-old named Jenny, her father, Martin, and his boyfriend Eric. British press coverage about the book, both in the 1980s and to a lesser degree in 2000, led to complaints and condemnation by right wing politicians of the book’s ‘blatant homosexual propaganda’.
We have come a long way in twenty years, but this is alarmingly recent history and there is still work to be done. In acknowledgement of this ongoing effort and in the spirit of Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin, Room & Book has assembled a collection of books and catalogues from across history which continue to raise awareness, celebrate sexual diversity, encourage inclusivity and promote an understanding of different ways of feeling.