The Transcendent Rainbow Cafe - social space for LGBTI members

[Paul]

It would be so great to have a thread here where we can chat about almost anything. We can have fun, tell jokes, share stories, you name it!

There's a "BB Cafe" thread in the general area where lots of people chat daily and have established some nice light hearted conversations, it's treated as if it's a real cafe, there's even virtual baked goods and coffee!

Let's create a chat here for anyone to join, in particular the GLBTIQ community to let their collective hair down and chill out. It's a safe space to be yourself.

We just need a name 🙂

[Guest_9043]

The Secret Diaries of Anne Lister.

For those who love History and People of any era you may want to watch this.

I just finished watching Gentleman Jack Series the BBC drama last night. It tells part of the story about Anne Lister and Anne walker based on the late 17th Century in Halifax England. You can buy the series on youtube if you have an account. As I watched the series I became more interested in the entire story and times. Anne Lister was (now known) as the very first out and proud lesbian of that era. I will not tell you too much about Ann Walker as it will just be a spoiler should you decide to check it out.

So I have continued on my search for more knowledge and I knew a book had been written, I was not sure what it was about though. Turns out the author Helena Witfield went once a week to the British archives and took 50 pages of Ann Lusters writing home with her and spent time decoding all of her writings. Anne Lister wrote a lot of what Anne termed Crypthand so nobody could ever tell what she was talking about in her writings. It took Helena Witfield 5 years to decode all of Anne's writing and then wrote two books which then became a BBC drama Gentleman Jack. I am absolutely fascinated though with the very rich history behind Anne Lister's Story as there is so much history still waiting to be found and understood. I am yet to look more into Ann Walker as it seems Anne Lister is the star in all of it, yet I still wish to know more of Ann Walker as I feel she definitely played a very integral part in Lister's life. If I actually loved England I would go and visit everything I could, alas though I do not have fond memories of England. It would be nice to have a chat about this if anyone is keen on this or knows of it.

2quik.

[Birdy77]

Hi 2quick!

I haven't seen that series, but a few months ago watched the 2010 bbc movie of the same story starring Maxine Peake. Such an interesting story, i became fascinated with it after watching ... sad what happened afterwards - what happened to her property and although she left everything to Ann Walker, it was ignored and Ann was put into an institution.

Brave women to live as they did way back then, weren't they?

🌻birdy

[Guest_9043]

Hi Birdy,

Sorry for the late reply. Very brave and courageous woman. A true story that touched me so very deeply. I am not sure why Ann Walker decided not to go back there after she was released from the mental institution. In my opinion she was not of unsound mind like they say she was. She lost Anne. She may have had her mental health issues, yet I do not think she was of unsound mind. I feel that she should have gone back to her real home Shibden Hall. I think though that what may have happened made her feel like it wasn't her home at all and perhaps being surrounded my so many memories of Anne was not helping her own recovery. The reasons are unknown of course, yet I do know she loved Anne very much. It was poignantly sad and I wish they had much longer together than they did.

2quik.

[Birdy77]

Hi 2quick,

There's never any pressure to reply, it's totally ok - only if you feel like it.

There are conflicting stories i think about what happened when Ann Lister passed.

A few accounts i read stated that Lister left all her property to Walker, but others say that she left her assets to her couins but that she left Walker a life-interest in Shibden Hall.

Do you think that they put Ann Walker away, claiming unsound mind because of her lesbianism?

I think it's likely. And i think it's likely her brother in law took possession of Shibden for the same reason. if you considerthe fact that "homosexuality" (airquotes, airquotes) was a crime *and * considered a mental illness until mid 20th century i think? it would make sense.

Infuriating any way you look at it, Ann Walker should have been able to live out her days peacefully in the home she shared with her wife.

Apparently they now have a rainbow plaque in the church in which the 2 women married/committed themselves to one another and now it's considered a significant LGBTQI+ venue.

[TrashSanta]

Hi, I am very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, but still don't know if I'm part of it. How can you tell if you're LGBTQ+?

[P0L0]

Hi TrashSanta,

The lines of the LGBTQ+ community are not fully defined, hence the "+". So if you are queer or questioning (the Q in LGBTQ+), you can still belong in the community. Or if you are supportive of the community as an ally, you can still take part in it.

The fun part about being in the LGBTQ+ community is that everyone is accepting of everyone no matter who you are or what background you come from.

Hope this helps!

[Ravenclaws_Diadem]

This is such a good idea. I’m a small enby potato who loves learning more about the LGBTQ’s+ (that sounds cringey) is love to see where this goes

[Just Sara]

Hey Raven! Welcome to the forum!

It's great you revamped this thread as it hasn't had the exposure it once did. There were quite a few regulars (including me) who popped in to chat or talk about their experiences.

Some were really colourful characters who appreciated a space where they could be themselves and some were needing support. In essence, we were here for each other as well as ourselves.

I see the thread has lost its following, but if you're willing to post invitations and persevere with your involvement, between the two of us we may be able to prompt others to engage and revitalise its appeal.

As it's your first post, I rainbow welcome you with open arms and urge you to take this opportunity to make friends and allies on your journey.

Again, lovely to meet you Raven. I'm so glad you had the courage to join us. I'd love to know more about who you are and who you want to be if that's ok.

Kind thoughts;

Sez x

P.S. For those reading, enby means identifying as nonbinary. Happy trails!

[Jo8049]

Hi all . I have been reading through the rainbow cafe and think it is a helpful place to chat . ( am enby gen f ) Am in hope that I can pick up some tips for safe social places in and around Bris if and when I get down there ?

Stay safe , lol jo

[Mudcakes]

Not sure exactly what we post on this forum, like personal stories and stuff? Chat about lgbt topics? ☕️🏳️‍🌈