Heritage

MK Q:mmunity Tales 

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The MK Q:mmunity Tales Project brings to life the extraordinary history of the Milton Keynes LGBTQ+ community from 1967 to 2023.  

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Over 15 months in 2024/5 the Q:alliance interviewed over 180 people. They collected 200+ news cuttings, 1000+ photographs and countless flyers, posters, community newsletters, badges and other artefacts.  Together, these weave a rich tapestry of joy, heartache, community action and cherished memories. 

Their findings were shared at 8 History Clubs, 3 Heritage Walks, a community picnic, a public exhibition throughout September 2025, a film showing at MK Gallery and finally at the launch of the MK Q:mmunity Tales book on 27th September 2025. At each event or activity more people brought their memories and experiences to share – with every conversation revealing new information and understandings of the LGBTQ+ community in Milton Keynes.  

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The project findings are all in our book ‘MK Q:mmunity Tales: Local LGBTQ+ history since 1967’. Scroll down to read the book online, loan it from Milton Keynes Libraries or any Secondary School library in Milton Keynes. It is available in hardcopy from Q:alliance or MK Gallery for £17.   

The Exhibition, which comprises 14 x A0 panels, can be viewed below and is available for loan to schools, colleges, and public spaces in Milton Keynes. 

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The two films created as part of the project are available to view for free on Youtube:  ​​​

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MK Q:mmunity Tales - The Trans Script

MK Q:mmunity Tales - Our Queer Voices

 

Four lesson plans for Key Stage 3 students were created alongside the project with funding from MK Community Foundation. These are available on request from Q:alliance. 

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This project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and all the documents/artefacts collected as part of the project will be lodged with Bucks Archive.