Justin Bengry
@justinbengry.bsky.social
Historian of the queer past | 'gay pardons' | local LGBTQ+ histories | capitalism. Headed the University of London's MA Queer History.
Travels, writes, and longs for the mountains. London and Valencia. (he/him)
justinbengry.com | notchesblog.com
Travels, writes, and longs for the mountains. London and Valencia. (he/him)
justinbengry.com | notchesblog.com
Pinned
Justin Bengry
@justinbengry.bsky.social
· Apr 28
The NOTCHES history of sexuality blog is now on Bluesky @notchesblog.bsky.social
Please follow and share widely!
Please follow and share widely!
Fun to be quoted in Cosmopolitan about the newest iteration of so-called 'lavender marriages'. As in the past, even this TikTok phenomenon reveals that looking at precarity, economic security and pragmatism are all important for understanding what's going on.
www.cosmopolitan.com/relationship...
www.cosmopolitan.com/relationship...
Are Lavender Marriages Making a Comeback?
An old-fashioned ruse is having a renaissance—but with a uniquely 2020s twist.
www.cosmopolitan.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Fun to be quoted in Cosmopolitan about the newest iteration of so-called 'lavender marriages'. As in the past, even this TikTok phenomenon reveals that looking at precarity, economic security and pragmatism are all important for understanding what's going on.
www.cosmopolitan.com/relationship...
www.cosmopolitan.com/relationship...
Reposted by Justin Bengry
Join us 28 October, 5:30pm (UK) for the first IHR History of Sexuality Seminar of the new term!
This Early Career Researcher Double Bill is an ONLINE ONLY seminar.
For more information and to register in order to receive the Zoom link please go to: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
This Early Career Researcher Double Bill is an ONLINE ONLY seminar.
For more information and to register in order to receive the Zoom link please go to: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Early Career Researcher Double bill
www.history.ac.uk
October 24, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Join us 28 October, 5:30pm (UK) for the first IHR History of Sexuality Seminar of the new term!
This Early Career Researcher Double Bill is an ONLINE ONLY seminar.
For more information and to register in order to receive the Zoom link please go to: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
This Early Career Researcher Double Bill is an ONLINE ONLY seminar.
For more information and to register in order to receive the Zoom link please go to: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Justin Bengry
The IHR History of Sexuality Seminar is now on Bluesky! Check out our upcoming seminars at www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Please follow for updates and share widely!
Please follow for updates and share widely!
History of Sexuality
The seminar series explores historical perspectives on themes as varied as queer(ing) history, sexual reform and identity-based movements and sexuality
www.history.ac.uk
October 24, 2025 at 10:15 AM
The IHR History of Sexuality Seminar is now on Bluesky! Check out our upcoming seminars at www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Please follow for updates and share widely!
Please follow for updates and share widely!
Very excited to see our new book: A Queer Scrapbook: Britain and Ireland Since 1945 (with FAB co-editors Matt Cook, Rebecca Jennings, and E-J Scott) now available for pre-order.
www.waterstones.com/book/a-queer...
www.waterstones.com/book/a-queer...
A Queer Scrapbook by Justin Bengry, Matt Cook | Waterstones
Buy A Queer Scrapbook by Justin Bengry, Matt Cook from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
www.waterstones.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Very excited to see our new book: A Queer Scrapbook: Britain and Ireland Since 1945 (with FAB co-editors Matt Cook, Rebecca Jennings, and E-J Scott) now available for pre-order.
www.waterstones.com/book/a-queer...
www.waterstones.com/book/a-queer...
Reposted by Justin Bengry
Join us for Surveillance and Society: Reading Records Against the Grain — an exploration of how historical records reveal power, resistance, and surveillance.
November 18 at The National Archives.
Book now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/past-surve...
#HistoryFromBelow #LGBTQHistory #BlackHistory
November 18 at The National Archives.
Book now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/past-surve...
#HistoryFromBelow #LGBTQHistory #BlackHistory
PAST Surveillance and Society: Reading records against the grain
Participants are invited to critically engage with case studies of a broad range of 20th century surveillance records at the archives
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Join us for Surveillance and Society: Reading Records Against the Grain — an exploration of how historical records reveal power, resistance, and surveillance.
November 18 at The National Archives.
Book now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/past-surve...
#HistoryFromBelow #LGBTQHistory #BlackHistory
November 18 at The National Archives.
Book now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/past-surve...
#HistoryFromBelow #LGBTQHistory #BlackHistory
Reposted by Justin Bengry
Celebration and Resistance: Explore LGBTQ+ collections and more at History Day 2025 🎉
This #HistDay25 we're partnering with @justinbengry.bsky.social to create a Queer History and Heritage Trail highlighting queer stories, figures & collections. Hear from Justin here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
This #HistDay25 we're partnering with @justinbengry.bsky.social to create a Queer History and Heritage Trail highlighting queer stories, figures & collections. Hear from Justin here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Celebration and Resistance: Explore LGBTQ+ collections and more at History Day 2025
Every year in November we host History Day, an event for students, researchers and history enthusiasts.
www.sas.ac.uk
October 3, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Celebration and Resistance: Explore LGBTQ+ collections and more at History Day 2025 🎉
This #HistDay25 we're partnering with @justinbengry.bsky.social to create a Queer History and Heritage Trail highlighting queer stories, figures & collections. Hear from Justin here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
This #HistDay25 we're partnering with @justinbengry.bsky.social to create a Queer History and Heritage Trail highlighting queer stories, figures & collections. Hear from Justin here: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Justin Bengry
Are you coming along to #HistDay25 on Tuesday 4 November 2025? Why not stay at Senate House for my #lecture in the evening, on 'Can popular #history be radical? Historical research and writing for the public'. Book your free place: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
October 15, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Are you coming along to #HistDay25 on Tuesday 4 November 2025? Why not stay at Senate House for my #lecture in the evening, on 'Can popular #history be radical? Historical research and writing for the public'. Book your free place: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Justin Bengry
www.sal.org.uk/event/queeri...
Tuesday 27th January 2026 I will be presenting Queering the British Holiday @antiquaries.bsky.social Book tickets (FREE) in person or zoom. NO PASSPORT REQUIRED! 😊
Tuesday 27th January 2026 I will be presenting Queering the British Holiday @antiquaries.bsky.social Book tickets (FREE) in person or zoom. NO PASSPORT REQUIRED! 😊
Queering the British Holiday - Society of Antiquaries of London
This lecture explores queering the British holiday by intersecting the Long Eighteenth Century Grand Tour; the impact of Music Hall theatricality on the Victorian Coast by male impersonator, Vesta Til...
www.sal.org.uk
August 27, 2025 at 2:13 PM
www.sal.org.uk/event/queeri...
Tuesday 27th January 2026 I will be presenting Queering the British Holiday @antiquaries.bsky.social Book tickets (FREE) in person or zoom. NO PASSPORT REQUIRED! 😊
Tuesday 27th January 2026 I will be presenting Queering the British Holiday @antiquaries.bsky.social Book tickets (FREE) in person or zoom. NO PASSPORT REQUIRED! 😊
Join me 4 Nov at Senate House for History Day. This year I'm delighted to be working with the IHR to include a Queer History Trail and have a Queer Zine workshop at History Day 2025.
Come say Hi and check out the amazing historical work being done around the UK.
www.history.ac.uk/news.../even...
Come say Hi and check out the amazing historical work being done around the UK.
www.history.ac.uk/news.../even...
September 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Join me 4 Nov at Senate House for History Day. This year I'm delighted to be working with the IHR to include a Queer History Trail and have a Queer Zine workshop at History Day 2025.
Come say Hi and check out the amazing historical work being done around the UK.
www.history.ac.uk/news.../even...
Come say Hi and check out the amazing historical work being done around the UK.
www.history.ac.uk/news.../even...
A delight to be interviewed by Elisha Pearce for this great piece on rainbow capitalism for Voice Magazine. I'm even happier that it's a publication for young people, engaging with issues that affect them too.
www.voicemag.uk/blog/15421/p...
www.voicemag.uk/blog/15421/p...
Pride Month for Profit: Investigating the rise and retreat of rainbow capitalism
In Pride Month, brands are quick to sport corporate rainbow logos and invent lucrative products. What is this clever marketing scheme, and how can brands show genuine support for the queer community a...
www.voicemag.uk
July 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
A delight to be interviewed by Elisha Pearce for this great piece on rainbow capitalism for Voice Magazine. I'm even happier that it's a publication for young people, engaging with issues that affect them too.
www.voicemag.uk/blog/15421/p...
www.voicemag.uk/blog/15421/p...
Very pleased to see David Roberts' We Are Your Children: A History of LGBTQ+ Activism published by @twohootsbooks.bsky.social
It was a delight to consult on the book & great now to see that the other consultant was @paulaakpan.bsky.social Good company indeed!
www.panmacmillan.com/authors/davi...
It was a delight to consult on the book & great now to see that the other consultant was @paulaakpan.bsky.social Good company indeed!
www.panmacmillan.com/authors/davi...
We Are Your Children by David Roberts
Find out more about We Are Your Children by David Roberts
www.panmacmillan.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Very pleased to see David Roberts' We Are Your Children: A History of LGBTQ+ Activism published by @twohootsbooks.bsky.social
It was a delight to consult on the book & great now to see that the other consultant was @paulaakpan.bsky.social Good company indeed!
www.panmacmillan.com/authors/davi...
It was a delight to consult on the book & great now to see that the other consultant was @paulaakpan.bsky.social Good company indeed!
www.panmacmillan.com/authors/davi...
@historyworkshop.org.uk is seeking to appoint two Editorial Fellows for the period October 2025 to September 2027. This is a paid, part-time role that supports early career historians to develop expertise in public, radical and digital history.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk/article/hist...
www.historyworkshop.org.uk/article/hist...
Call for Applications: Editorial Fellowships at History Workshop, 2025
History Workshop is advertising two part-time, paid Editorial Fellowships in 2025, open to early career historians.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
July 13, 2025 at 4:15 PM
@historyworkshop.org.uk is seeking to appoint two Editorial Fellows for the period October 2025 to September 2027. This is a paid, part-time role that supports early career historians to develop expertise in public, radical and digital history.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk/article/hist...
www.historyworkshop.org.uk/article/hist...
Delighted to be interviewed (in such stellar company with Lillian Faderman) on 'lavender marriages' for Parade magazine.
parade.com/living/laven...
parade.com/living/laven...
What Is a 'Lavender Marriage,' Exactly?
Plus, where it gets its name.
parade.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Delighted to be interviewed (in such stellar company with Lillian Faderman) on 'lavender marriages' for Parade magazine.
parade.com/living/laven...
parade.com/living/laven...
Reposted by Justin Bengry
Great to see NOTCHES on Bluesky. Get following!
NOTCHES is a collaborative and international history of sexuality blog that aims to get people inside and outside the academy thinking about sexuality in the past and in the present. We’ve left Twitter so do follow NOTCHES on Bluesky at @notchesblog.bsky.social
Please share widely!
Please share widely!
May 13, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Great to see NOTCHES on Bluesky. Get following!
NOTCHES is a collaborative and international history of sexuality blog that aims to get people inside and outside the academy thinking about sexuality in the past and in the present. We’ve left Twitter so do follow NOTCHES on Bluesky at @notchesblog.bsky.social
Please share widely!
Please share widely!
May 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
NOTCHES is a collaborative and international history of sexuality blog that aims to get people inside and outside the academy thinking about sexuality in the past and in the present. We’ve left Twitter so do follow NOTCHES on Bluesky at @notchesblog.bsky.social
Please share widely!
Please share widely!
Reposted by Justin Bengry
OPEN LETTER: HISTORIANS FOR TRANS RIGHTS
Are you a historian in the UK or working on UK history fed up at seeing the history of LGBTQIA+ discrimination repeat itself? Sign this open letter to MPs demanding they stand up for trans rights now!
Letter: tinyurl.com/879vuver
Sign: tinyurl.com/4p7wktrn
Are you a historian in the UK or working on UK history fed up at seeing the history of LGBTQIA+ discrimination repeat itself? Sign this open letter to MPs demanding they stand up for trans rights now!
Letter: tinyurl.com/879vuver
Sign: tinyurl.com/4p7wktrn
Historians for Trans Rights - Open Letter to MPs
In light of the recent and incessant attacks on the trans community in the UK by the UK government and legal system, a group of UK-based historians have drafted the letter linked below. Our aim is to ...
tinyurl.com
May 1, 2025 at 10:17 AM
OPEN LETTER: HISTORIANS FOR TRANS RIGHTS
Are you a historian in the UK or working on UK history fed up at seeing the history of LGBTQIA+ discrimination repeat itself? Sign this open letter to MPs demanding they stand up for trans rights now!
Letter: tinyurl.com/879vuver
Sign: tinyurl.com/4p7wktrn
Are you a historian in the UK or working on UK history fed up at seeing the history of LGBTQIA+ discrimination repeat itself? Sign this open letter to MPs demanding they stand up for trans rights now!
Letter: tinyurl.com/879vuver
Sign: tinyurl.com/4p7wktrn
Reposted by Justin Bengry
Following two illuminating articles on nightclub Taboo and iconic doorman Marc Vaultier, today we bring you a new post: “Would You Let Yourself In?” Reflections on Marc Vaultier’s Mirror by Stephen Brogan.
Read it here: wp.me/p6JJ6S-4Ni
#QueerHistory #HistSex #HistoryofSexuality
1/5
Read it here: wp.me/p6JJ6S-4Ni
#QueerHistory #HistSex #HistoryofSexuality
1/5
“Would You Let Yourself In?” Reflections on Marc Vaultier’s Mirror
The often-repeated, shady story of how Marc Vaultier turned away people from Taboo’s door turns out to be apocryphal.
wp.me
April 29, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Following two illuminating articles on nightclub Taboo and iconic doorman Marc Vaultier, today we bring you a new post: “Would You Let Yourself In?” Reflections on Marc Vaultier’s Mirror by Stephen Brogan.
Read it here: wp.me/p6JJ6S-4Ni
#QueerHistory #HistSex #HistoryofSexuality
1/5
Read it here: wp.me/p6JJ6S-4Ni
#QueerHistory #HistSex #HistoryofSexuality
1/5
The NOTCHES history of sexuality blog is now on Bluesky @notchesblog.bsky.social
Please follow and share widely!
Please follow and share widely!
April 28, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The NOTCHES history of sexuality blog is now on Bluesky @notchesblog.bsky.social
Please follow and share widely!
Please follow and share widely!
Reposted by Justin Bengry
Today is #ThrowbackThursday but, before we get into it, we believe it is important to highlight NOTCHES' ongoing support for the trans community and our commitment to trans scholarship.
1/6
1/6
April 24, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Today is #ThrowbackThursday but, before we get into it, we believe it is important to highlight NOTCHES' ongoing support for the trans community and our commitment to trans scholarship.
1/6
1/6
Reposted by Justin Bengry
🏳️⚧️ How to tell our history stories, so we learn from them
At this critical moment, how can we tell stories of @transhistoryweek.bsky.social and apply the lessons from them to today’s fight?
🧵👇
At this critical moment, how can we tell stories of @transhistoryweek.bsky.social and apply the lessons from them to today’s fight?
🧵👇
April 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
🏳️⚧️ How to tell our history stories, so we learn from them
At this critical moment, how can we tell stories of @transhistoryweek.bsky.social and apply the lessons from them to today’s fight?
🧵👇
At this critical moment, how can we tell stories of @transhistoryweek.bsky.social and apply the lessons from them to today’s fight?
🧵👇
Call for Papers: Queering the Tensions of Empire (edited collection)
Abstracts of 500 words and a brief CV (2 pages, single-spaced) to be submitted by 31 May 2025. Complete essays by 1 January 2026.
More info and submission info: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
Abstracts of 500 words and a brief CV (2 pages, single-spaced) to be submitted by 31 May 2025. Complete essays by 1 January 2026.
More info and submission info: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
Call for Papers: Queering the Tensions of Empire | H-Net
Call for Papers: Queering the Tensions of Empire (edited collection)Beginning in the late 20th century, scholars influenced by postcolonial and feminist theory and social and cultural history began to...
networks.h-net.org
April 17, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Call for Papers: Queering the Tensions of Empire (edited collection)
Abstracts of 500 words and a brief CV (2 pages, single-spaced) to be submitted by 31 May 2025. Complete essays by 1 January 2026.
More info and submission info: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
Abstracts of 500 words and a brief CV (2 pages, single-spaced) to be submitted by 31 May 2025. Complete essays by 1 January 2026.
More info and submission info: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
Reposted by Justin Bengry
Tickets to our big community event in LDN are now on sale and we'd love to see you there.
Show up for our history. Stand up for our future.
Join us on the evening of the 6th of May for and evening in community and in celebration of our history at a time when we're facing down efforts to erase it.
Show up for our history. Stand up for our future.
Join us on the evening of the 6th of May for and evening in community and in celebration of our history at a time when we're facing down efforts to erase it.
April 1, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Tickets to our big community event in LDN are now on sale and we'd love to see you there.
Show up for our history. Stand up for our future.
Join us on the evening of the 6th of May for and evening in community and in celebration of our history at a time when we're facing down efforts to erase it.
Show up for our history. Stand up for our future.
Join us on the evening of the 6th of May for and evening in community and in celebration of our history at a time when we're facing down efforts to erase it.
Call for Participants: "I am looking to talk with LGBTQ+ identifying performance makers (of all disciplines) who were educated in England, Scotland or Wales during the span of the legislation (1988 – 2003)."
queerdramaturgy.uk/participant-...
queerdramaturgy.uk/participant-...
Fabulations
Part archival visit, research interview and creative workshop FABULATIONS is a one-to-one performance that archives the unrecorded experiences of Section 28 for LGBTQ+ youth, 1988 – 2003. The…
queerdramaturgy.uk
March 5, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Call for Participants: "I am looking to talk with LGBTQ+ identifying performance makers (of all disciplines) who were educated in England, Scotland or Wales during the span of the legislation (1988 – 2003)."
queerdramaturgy.uk/participant-...
queerdramaturgy.uk/participant-...
Reposted by Justin Bengry
The Feminist Gender Equality Network (FGEN) invites submissions for a special one-day conference Trans Liberation Now!
The Trans Liberation Now! conference will be held on Midsummer’s Day, 21st June 2025, in Bush House, Campus of King’s College London. feministgenderequality.network/conference-2...
The Trans Liberation Now! conference will be held on Midsummer’s Day, 21st June 2025, in Bush House, Campus of King’s College London. feministgenderequality.network/conference-2...
Conference 2025 - Trans Liberation Now - Call for Papers - Feminist Gender Equality Network
The Feminist Gender Equality Network (FGEN) invites submissions for a special one-day conference Trans Liberation Now! The Trans Liberation Now! conference will be held on Midsummer’s Day, 21st June 2...
feministgenderequality.network
February 20, 2025 at 12:45 PM
The Feminist Gender Equality Network (FGEN) invites submissions for a special one-day conference Trans Liberation Now!
The Trans Liberation Now! conference will be held on Midsummer’s Day, 21st June 2025, in Bush House, Campus of King’s College London. feministgenderequality.network/conference-2...
The Trans Liberation Now! conference will be held on Midsummer’s Day, 21st June 2025, in Bush House, Campus of King’s College London. feministgenderequality.network/conference-2...
London's most recent rainbow plaque has been unveiled honouring Lesbian activist Jackie Forster. It's an honour to be part of the Advisory Board for London's Rainbow Plaques.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rainbow plaque to be unveiled at former home of Jackie Forster
Forster's activism is to be commemorated with a special plaque with rainbow stripes round it.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 27, 2025 at 11:14 PM
London's most recent rainbow plaque has been unveiled honouring Lesbian activist Jackie Forster. It's an honour to be part of the Advisory Board for London's Rainbow Plaques.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...