Scene But Not Heard – drag and queer performance hidden in plain sight?

Did you know that HU3 pubs and clubs in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, had a drag and queer performance scene that held a top spot in the north of England, alongside Manchester? 

Having noticed that several photographers, operating at the time, had images that documented this scene in their private collections, the Encyclopedia of Us team wanted to know more. This exhibition is part of our investigation and kickstarts the creation of a new, publicly accessible archive that will be hosted at the Hull History Centre, and the Bishopsgate Institute in London. It brings together some uncovered photographs, alongside historical finds and stories which seem to raise more questions than they answer.