LGBT HISTORIES AT KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM
by Laura Bauld

November 14, 2019

Glasgow museums are full of amazing objects and art works that tell stories of different people
across cultures and time periods.
The histories of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people, however, havesometimes been a little harder to find. LGBT histories in museums are often considered'hidden' histories. Due to social stigmas that unfortunately still continue for LGBT individuals, theirhistories are often not explored out on the gallery floor.
But LGBT histories are there - if you know where to look.
Glasgow Museums are committed to sharing stories of our objects that reflect LGBT lives andexperiences. In my role as Project Curator for the Burrell Collection, I have been researching andunearthing the hidden LGBT stories of our objects and working with the LGBT community tocontinue to make our museums a welcoming, inclusive place.

Most recently, I have been running LGBT themed tours at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum,throwing a ‘rainbow’ spotlight on objects that reflect histories of same-sex love or diverse genderidentities.
Here are some of my highlight - and favourite - objects from our LGBT tour.
George Villiers, First Duke of Buckingham,
about 1625
Peter Paul Rubens
Oil on panel
Stirling Maxwell Collection, gifted 1967

George Villiers (1592-1628) is known as one of themale lovers of King James I of England and VI ofScotland. Villiers came to live at the London courtof King James in 1614, working as The King’s Royal
Cupbearer.
With his good looks and handsome features,
Villiers quickly caught the King’s attention. They
formed an intense friendship with James throwing
lavish parties and entertainments in Villiers’
honour. In 1623, James made Villiers the Duke ofBuckingham.
Letters written between James and Villiers reveal anintense, loving bond and hint at the possibility of aphysical relationship.
On display in the Looking at Art Gallery, GroundFloor.

© CSG CIG Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collections

Theatre Poster for the New Scotia Music Hall, 1877 The New Scotia Music Hall on Stockwell Street in
Glasgow city centre opened in 1862, hosting avariety of theatrical acts from acrobats, comedians,singers, and dancers.
The top billing on this poster from 1877 is ‘Miss
Alice Lloyd – the Great Male Impersonator andFemale Tenor’.
As a male impersonator, Alice Lloyd would havedressed and performed as a young man, showing off
her low vocal range by singing well-known ballads
usually sung by male performers.

© CSG CIG Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collections

Male impersonators were popular acts in the music halls of the 1800s and early 1900s. These
female actors often poked fun at masculine culture, cross-dressing as male dandies andperforming comic routines. Lloyd was a successful male impersonator for over 20 years, playingmusic halls up and down the country.
On display in the Glasgow Stories Gallery, Ground Floor.
'Memorial to a Marriage', 2004
Patricia Cronin
Bronze sculpture
Purchased with the assistance of the National Fund for Acquisitions© CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection, reproduced courtesy of Patricia Cronin

In 'Memorial to a Marriage', American artist, Patricia Cronin (born 1963) shows herself and herpartner Deborah Kass, embraced in bed together.
This bronze sculpture is a cast from an original marble sculpture made for their joint burial plot
in New York. At the time it was created, same-sex marriage was not legal in the United States ofAmerica. The only way Cronin’s relationship with Kass could be legally recognised was throughdocuments such as power of attorney, wills, health care statements which would only be enacted
upon when either Kass or Cronin fell ill or died. In 2004, Cronin spoke about this sculpture
being both a personal and political statement of her relationship and lesbian visibility:“I wanted something official that celebrated our life together and if all I will be officially allowed isdeath, I decided to make the most elegant and dignified statement I could about the end of our life
together.”On display at the East Balcony, Level 1.

Figure of Lan Caihe from the Eight Immortals
Qing Dynasty, 1662-1722
Porcelain with enamel decoration

The Eight Immortals are Daoist deities fromChinese culture. They lived forever and had
special powers which allowed them to heal
the sick, turn invisible, and even bring thedead back to life. They were the superheroesof Chinese legend, fighting the forces of evil!
In Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum you
can see porcelain figures of the Eight
Immortals including Lan Caihe - shown in agreen flowing robe. The gender of Lan Caihe
is unknown and some believe they werewithout gender. The figure of Lan Caihe inKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
appears androgynous – neither male norfemale.

© CSG CIG Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collections

On Display in the Expression Gallery, East
Court, Ground Floor.

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