DeclanKavanagh.bsky.social
@drdeclankavanagh.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in 18th-century Studies (Queer & Disability Studies). Author of *Effeminate Years* (2017); co-editor of *The Edinburgh Companion to Queer Reading* (2025). Views my own, not employer’s.
Today, in a very short section of a two hour seminar on queer poetry, I’ll invite my students to make a #blackoutpoem using the text of #Section28 I have the sharpies at the ready. This is my favourite part of teaching this Queer Lit course.
![The print out reads:
8 Prohibition on promoting homosexuality by teaching or by publishing material
(1)The following section shall be inserted after section 2 of the [1986 c. 10.] Local Government Act 1986 (prohibition of political publicity)
*ZA Prohibition on promoting homosexuality by teaching or by publishing material
(1) A local authority shall not—
(a) intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality;
(b) promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) above shall be taken to prohibit the doing of anything for the purpose of treating or preventing the spread of disease.
(3) In any proceedings in connection with the application of this section a court shall draw such inferences as to the intention of the local authority as may reasonably be drawn from the evidence before it.
(4) In subsection (1)(b) above "maintained school" means,—
(a) in England and Wales, a county school, voluntary school, nursery school or special school, within the meaning of the Education Act 1944; and
(b) in Scotland, a public school, nursery school or special school, within the meaning of the Education (Scotland) Act
1980."
(2) This section shall come into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:um2urgwzbwn56p742s6zwivq/bafkreignzqoxz7whkz7apfbgcw7gnadl3u3pj64nmmin2ud6ju7uxq5fo4@jpeg)
November 11, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Today, in a very short section of a two hour seminar on queer poetry, I’ll invite my students to make a #blackoutpoem using the text of #Section28 I have the sharpies at the ready. This is my favourite part of teaching this Queer Lit course.
Delighted to attend the 2025 Kent Staff Recognition Awards in my capacity as a staff rep. Looking forward to cheering on all of the wonderful awardees. Also looking forward to seeing what the illuminated cube does … I am guessing strobe light effects @kent.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Delighted to attend the 2025 Kent Staff Recognition Awards in my capacity as a staff rep. Looking forward to cheering on all of the wonderful awardees. Also looking forward to seeing what the illuminated cube does … I am guessing strobe light effects @kent.ac.uk
Very interesting tour of Abney Park cemetery focusing on the women buried there for #LondonMonthoftheDead
November 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Very interesting tour of Abney Park cemetery focusing on the women buried there for #LondonMonthoftheDead
ENGLISH STAFF COFFEE + CAKE morning was a huge success! My earl grey Barmbrack told many fortunes 🔮 & people brought some lovely bakes to the table as well as much laughter! Excited for the next one @kent.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 1:54 PM
ENGLISH STAFF COFFEE + CAKE morning was a huge success! My earl grey Barmbrack told many fortunes 🔮 & people brought some lovely bakes to the table as well as much laughter! Excited for the next one @kent.ac.uk
Home made Irish barmbrack
October 20, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Home made Irish barmbrack
This crypt is purportedly said to house a Time Machine: cemeteriesroute.eu/projects/sto... #LondonMonthoftheDead
October 19, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This crypt is purportedly said to house a Time Machine: cemeteriesroute.eu/projects/sto... #LondonMonthoftheDead
A piece of basalt reportedly from the Giant’s Causeway & stolen for use as a grave edifice in Brompton cemetery #StonyVictorians #GiantsCauseway #Spéirgorm
October 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A piece of basalt reportedly from the Giant’s Causeway & stolen for use as a grave edifice in Brompton cemetery #StonyVictorians #GiantsCauseway #Spéirgorm
Another wonderful tour by #LondonMonthoftheDead festival - this time in Brompton cemetery. No ghouls but I did see the grave of a suffragette, a piece of the Giant’s Causeway stolen for a headstone, and a very dank crypt!
October 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Another wonderful tour by #LondonMonthoftheDead festival - this time in Brompton cemetery. No ghouls but I did see the grave of a suffragette, a piece of the Giant’s Causeway stolen for a headstone, and a very dank crypt!
Was at a seance tonight as part of #LondonMonthoftheDead in Kensal Green cemetery & I LOVED how blunt Londoners are at a seance: ‘I am getting a Barbara here for you …’ ‘Don’t know a Barbara mate’. 💀😆
October 12, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Was at a seance tonight as part of #LondonMonthoftheDead in Kensal Green cemetery & I LOVED how blunt Londoners are at a seance: ‘I am getting a Barbara here for you …’ ‘Don’t know a Barbara mate’. 💀😆
#SpookySeason reading suggestions from English and Creative staff @kent.ac.uk check them out here: www.instagram.com/p/DPo9iZijCx... @tramppress.bsky.social #DorothyMacardle #TheUnivited
October 11, 2025 at 8:41 AM
#SpookySeason reading suggestions from English and Creative staff @kent.ac.uk check them out here: www.instagram.com/p/DPo9iZijCx... @tramppress.bsky.social #DorothyMacardle #TheUnivited
Some pictures from @dannyrobins.bsky.social #Canterbury show. It was such a treat. Yes, I also bought another cup and a #BloodyHellKen Tshirt.
October 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Some pictures from @dannyrobins.bsky.social #Canterbury show. It was such a treat. Yes, I also bought another cup and a #BloodyHellKen Tshirt.
The cherry blossom in anti-blossom is something to behold @kent.ac.uk
October 5, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The cherry blossom in anti-blossom is something to behold @kent.ac.uk
Preparing to lecture on Robinson Crusoe tomorrow. Been a few years since I read it.
October 5, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Preparing to lecture on Robinson Crusoe tomorrow. Been a few years since I read it.
Beautiful autumnal colours
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Beautiful autumnal colours
Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here! When refugees are under attack what do we do? Stand up, fight back!
Canterbury is anti-fascist!
Canterbury is anti-fascist!
September 20, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here! When refugees are under attack what do we do? Stand up, fight back!
Canterbury is anti-fascist!
Canterbury is anti-fascist!
An empty Tayto packet on an English train. The emptiness I feel is something else.
September 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
An empty Tayto packet on an English train. The emptiness I feel is something else.
Milo walks are the best walks
September 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Milo walks are the best walks
It’s rare to be able to trace one’s interests to monuments, but this little plaque commemorates the 1798 rebellion and in 1998, I wrote a little ‘article’ on Wolfe Tone for the town’s commemorative festival. I didn’t win the competition but something else …
September 11, 2025 at 8:41 AM
It’s rare to be able to trace one’s interests to monuments, but this little plaque commemorates the 1798 rebellion and in 1998, I wrote a little ‘article’ on Wolfe Tone for the town’s commemorative festival. I didn’t win the competition but something else …
My cat, waking up. Royal bedchamber vibes. (Posted with permission)
September 11, 2025 at 7:30 AM
My cat, waking up. Royal bedchamber vibes. (Posted with permission)
I had to let the beard go. Surprised to discover that I have more face.
September 2, 2025 at 3:35 PM
I had to let the beard go. Surprised to discover that I have more face.
August 31, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Some more Leigh
August 25, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Some more Leigh
Leigh Bowery at the Tate Modern was absorbing, colourful, and a time capsule for 80s queer London #TateModern #LeighBowery #Queer #Punk #Camp
August 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Leigh Bowery at the Tate Modern was absorbing, colourful, and a time capsule for 80s queer London #TateModern #LeighBowery #Queer #Punk #Camp