Gay Stoke: a journey into a different history

Potboiler are back!

After a short hiatus delving into other projects (from babies to arty things in Yorkshire), Kat B and Kat H are back, working on something very exciting and quite different from our previous work.

During our 2021 project, audio walk The Secret City, we came across some incredibly rich stories of Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre from decades gone by - from discovering yourself at Chicos to meeting your partner at Top Rank - personal stories played out in places that are an important part of local nostalgia and identity.

As the research went on and the audio tales took shape however, we were becoming increasingly aware of all the voices that were not coming through.

Kat B’s own family history meant a personal connection to those whose stories are not represented in what can sometimes feel like the dominant narratives of our city - from potbanks and clay to miners and Robbie Williams! - and an idea started to form.

Funding from Historic England’s Everyday Heritage - all about uncovering lesser known histories from working class communities and places - and a partnership with the inspiring North Midlands LGBT Older Peoples Group has led to our upcoming project, GAY STOKE!

In GAY STOKE we are embarking on a journey with older LGBTQ+ people from Stoke-on-Trent to discover and re-tell local stories of gay life that have played out in our city. With a particular focus on our city’s gay nightlife and the places and spaces so important when growing up gay, GAY STOKE will challenge and enliven the predominant narratives of our city, broadening up our history and inviting more people in.

Over 3 months, alongside artists and musicians, we will be delving into archive photos, embarking on walks, sharing photos and experiences and weaving together new stories of the city.

We’re thrilled to be creating this project in partnership with the North Midlands LGBT Older Peoples Group who have been providing a vital lifeline to older LGBTQ+ people in Staffordshire since 2009, helping foster connection and combat isolation that can be so common in this community. Learn more about their great work here.

We’re so excited by this adventure. If this sounds like something you or someone you know would like to be part of, or if you have something you want to share, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch - Contact Us.

And watch this space to follow this story as it unfolds.

GAY STOKE is being funded by Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant programme, celebrating working class histories.