The event is open to King’s students and staff

Come join us for our closing lecture of LGBTQ+ History Month by the fantastic Dr. Justin Bengry, designer and course leader of the world’s only MA in Queer History. Drawing on his experiences, Dr. Bengry will reflect on the state of queer history in the UK and how we go forward from here.

Justin Bengry designed and led the world’s only MA in Queer History at Goldsmiths, University of London, from 2017 until 2024. Even as his appointment as the UK’s first lecturer in queer history signaled an important moment in the development of queer history in the UK, the field remains fraught with challenges from within and beyond the academy. Queer historians face attacks on specialisation from their own institutions, while on social media we are caricatured and condemned. But it is precisely for these reasons that an inclusive and critical queer history is more urgent than ever.

Drawing from these experiences, this talk will reflect on the state of queer history in the UK and how we might overcome the challenges we face going forward.

The lecture will be at Strand Campus (History 8th Floor Open Space, Strand Building, Strand Campus) and will have a wine reception following the event, as well as a Q&A led by Dr Zeena Feldman from Queer@King's.