"We have always been here. And we always will be."

Over the past year a student-led group has been creating a database of student LGBTQ+ sources in the University archive, from around 1970 to today under the title “We have always been here. And we always will be.” The student research team was made up joint degrees HCA students Paige Cooper, Hannah Freitag, Olivia Norbury, Nora Quigley, Freya Wilson, and Ash Scholz.

Ash Scholz said. "This exhibition is by no means exhaustive. It provides some glimpses into the incredible work of queer student activists and community members throughout a time of significant repression and discriminatory laws and policies. Without the work of student activists in the past, these successes would have not been possible at all, and we found a sense of intergenerational solidarity with the queer students that came before us through our research. The exhibition wants to take up space for an underrepresented community, with queer students being able to manifest their belonging at the University through having a visual reminder of their historical presence. Thank you to my amazing volunteer group, and all the support I have received from the School, without whom this would have not been possible!"

The team's impressive work is now on display for everyone to see in the main corridor on the ground floor of the William Robertson Wing (Doorway 4, Old Medical School) just before the link corridor to the Chrystal Macmillan Building. The exhibition was designed by Ann Harrison, CAHSS Creative Design Lead, and produced by Hannah Scott, Digital Textile Operator at ECA.

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology is open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm at Doorway 4, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG.