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http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> Invitation to two free events about BBC history http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1789402727 Message started by Marcus on Sep 14^th, 2026, 4:19pm

Title: Invitation to two free events about BBC history
Post by Marcus on Sep 14^th, 2026, 4:19pm

Ex-bbcstaff members (indeed, everyone) are cordially invited to two free broadcasting history events taking place on 29 September and 4 October as part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded project Re-viewing LGBTQ+ Lives through Broadcasting in Twentieth-century Britain.

1. AIDS Broadcasting and Gay Campaigning in the Eighties
1800-2000 on Tuesday 29 September 2026
In person at Loughborough University London, Room 2.05, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3BS and online via Teams (https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/396443240009800?p=g75pXDqWdo75qIGH8b). Those attending in-person should book tickets in advance at https://www.outsavvy.com/event/38910/aids-broadcasting-and-gay-campaigning-in-the-eighties-a-witness-seminar as space is limited.

The HIV/AIDS crisis transformed the relationship between gay men, pressure groups, broadcasters and the government in 1980s Britain. This witness seminar will hear from four men who shaped and observed this transformation:
Keith Howes (then at Gay News and Capital Gay)
Julian Meldrum (Capital Gay and Hall-Carpenter Archives)
Martin Weaver (Terrence Higgins Trust)
Sir Nick Partridge (Terrence Higgins Trust)
Audience members are encouraged to share their experiences of the 1980s and to reflect upon subsequent media coverage of LGBTQ+ issues. The seminar is accompanied by a pop-up exhibition showcasing interviews collected by the National HIV Story Trust.

2. Who Was Seen? Diversity & Equality in 20th-century Broadcasting
1200-1600 on Sunday 4 October 2026
Creativity Pavilion, Alexandra Palace, London N22 7AY
Email marcus.collins@lboro.ac.uk for free tickets to this event

At noon, Prof Marcus Collins will talk about ‘Sex and the BBC: The Moral Foundations of Public-service Broadcasting in 20th-century Britain’.
At 1pm, Stephen Bourne will talk about ‘A Sort of Magic: Black Contributors and Creators on Pre-war BBC Television’.
From 2-4pm, there is a panel discussion explores the history of lesbian and gay broadcasting in 20th-century television, alongside wider conversations about representation, diversity and public-service broadcasting during the BBC’s formative years. Panel members include:
Stephen Bourne (author of Playing Gay in the Golden Age of British TV and the forthcoming Thursday’s Child)
Keith Howes (Gay News television critic and author of Broadcasting It)
Jane Traies (Research Associate at University of Sussex and author of The Lives and Experiences of Lesbians over 60 in the UK)

Tickets for the 4 October event are ordinarily £5-15 but I can provide a limited number of complimentary tickets. Simply email me at marcus.collins@lboro.ac.uk with the names and email addresses of those who wish to attend.

Don’t hesitate to contact me with queries about either event – and feel free to spread the word!

Marcus

Prof of British History
Loughborough University
marcus.collins@lboro.ac.uk