“Sappho Was Right”: Gravestones and Afterlives

This lecture explores memorials by or for queer women who campaigned for suffrage in Scotland. Through reading lesbian suffragist grave markers as vehicles of posthumous agency, we can glean evidence of queerness haunting the process of self-memorialisation. Suffrage campaigners were skilled public historians. Through reading their grave markers as evidence of their visual literacy, we can see how queer suffragists harnessed the power of memorials as sites cementing historical narratives.

This talk will be presented by Dr Keava McMillan.

Dr McMillan is a cultural historian specialising in modern queer art and histories. She is a Lecturer in Gender History at the University of Glasgow and works at Lavender Menace, a queer community archive in Edinburgh. She has a PhD in Visual Culture from the University of Aberdeen and has worked in heritage interpretation and engagement with places like the V&A Dundee, Historic Environment Scotland, and Rozelle House.

This will be a hybrid event which will take place both in Augustine United Church and live-streamed online, with the recording uploaded to our YouTube channel shortly after the lecture. Please keep an eye on the Society website, e-newsletters and your email inbox for the latest news and further information on Society events.

The main lecture will be preceded by a short presentation on a related topic by an Early Career Researcher and followed by a Q&A. In-person attendees are also welcome to stay for a free drinks reception from approximately 7pm where you can discuss the lecture and other interests with the speaker, Society Fellows and other attendees.

Booking is essential for members of the public and Fellows of the Society. If you have reserved a ticket and can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket via Eventbrite or contact ZXZlbnRzIHwgc29jYW50c2NvdCAhIG9yZw== to allow someone else to take your place.

The Society has a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and bullying.

All attendees are requested to act with respect to one another during this hybrid event.

Anyone making comments which we believe to be inappropriate (e.g. offensive or abusive) will be removed from the event immediately. Equivalent procedures (e.g. with regard to spam) will apply online.

To help to tackle climate change and decrease congestion and pollution from cars, the Society encourages you to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport to travel to and from this event if possible.

Lothian Buses run services along George IV Bridge, Forrest Road and nearby South Bridge. There are also bicycle racks directly outside the venue.

Please note, the hearing loop facility at Augustine United Church is currently unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience.

The main entrance to the church is up four steps with a handrail.

Step free access is available via a door to the right of the building - please ring the bell for attention. Please note there is a tight turn in this passageway.

A standard accessible toilet is available on the ground floor and on the lower level (accessible via lift).

Assistance dogs are allowed inside the venue.

If attending via Zoom, captions are included.

You can find further information on Accessibility here.

The Society is grateful for our 2,600 Fellows across the globe whose support enables us to make these event free and open to all.

If you are interested in being part of this network and supporting a charity that has actively supported the study and enjoyment of Scotland’s past for over 240 years, visit our Join Us page for more information about the benefits of becoming a Fellow.

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Images: Postcard of the grave of Emily Wilding Davison, c.1913 and postcard of the grave of Evelina Haverfield, 1922 (both © London School of Economics)

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