LGBTQ+ History Month: Winchester’s Strong Historical Ties

February marks LGBTQ+ History Month, a time to reflect on the past, celebrate progress, and acknowledge the ongoing fight for equality. 

Winchester has played a significant role in LGBTQ+ history, with its connections to famous figures, legal battles, and community activism.

Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas 

In the 1890s, Winchester became entwined in one of history’s most famous LGBTQ+ love stories. Lord Alfred Douglas, a student at Winchester College, had a romantic relationship with Oscar Wilde. 

His poem Two Loves (1892) introduced the phrase “the love that dare not speak its name,” a reference to same-sex love. 

Their relationship played a crucial role in Wilde’s downfall and imprisonment.

The Montagu Trial – A Landmark Case 

In 1954, The Great Hall in Winchester was the site of the Montagu Trial, where Edward Lord Montagu, Peter Wildeblood, and Michael Pitt-Rivers were convicted of homosexual activity. 

The trial sparked public debate and played a pivotal role in the movement towards decriminalization in the UK.

Dr Michael Dillon – A Trailblazing Trans Pioneer 

Winchester’s history is also linked to Dr Michael Dillon, the world’s first person to medically transition from female to male. 

Beginning hormone therapy in 1940, Dillon later underwent pioneering gender-affirming surgeries in Basingstoke, performed by Sir Harold Gillies. 

His story remains a crucial part of trans history.

LGBTQ+ Activism and Pride in Winchester 

The 1970s saw the formation of support groups like the Winchester Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE), which provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. 

In 2015, Winchester hosted Hampshire’s first LGBTQ+ Pride march, marking a major step forward in visibility and inclusion.

Preserving History and Looking Ahead 

From 2017 to 2019, the Voices for Heritage Project documented Hampshire’s LGBTQ+ history, preserving personal stories and historical records.

Looking to the future, efforts are underway to revive Winchester Pride in 2025, ensuring continued visibility and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Winchester’s LGBTQ+ history is rich and deeply significant. 

As we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, it serves as a reminder that history is not just about remembering the past, but about shaping the future.