Wikipedia is an important tool for the democratisation of knowledge, in a landscape of increasing paywalls and politically motivated publications. Join us in the Edward Boyle Library to take part in a Wiki edit-a-thon as part of LGBT+ History Month. With the guidance of Open Research Adviser Nick Sheppard, Wikimedia and Open Knowledge Adviser Lucy Hinnie, and local artists GossipGrrrl and Kit George, we will look at some of the current wiki content on trans people and activism in Yorkshire. 

The aim throughout the session is to improve the detail and accuracy of this content, discovering materials that can help make the rich history of trans people in Yorkshire publicly available through Wikipedia, including resources from the University library and archives. Don’t worry if you are new to Wikipedia, the session will start with some training on how to edit Wiki pages, and library staff will be available throughout the event to help. We will also have a look at Wikidata, as well as Wikimedia Commons, which allows you to add openly licensed images (including your own!) to Wikipedia. The session will be informal and flexible, and you are more than welcome to bring resources and ideas that you would like to see included on Wikipedia.

This event is inspired by a similar event last year, which looked at the groundbreaking transgender rights conference held in the Leeds University Union building in 1974. You can find out more about what was achieved in that event here. This event is sponsored by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, with support from the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Equality and Inclusion Unit, and the LGBT+ Staff Network.

GossipGrrrl is an artist-researcher and Cher fan from Leeds. She has previously worked with Trans Pride Leeds, Non-Binary Leeds and Queerology, exhibiting art internationally. She has worked with Leeds Museums & Galleries, Yorkshire Museum and Royal Armouries Museum, on trans interpretations of their collections.

Kit George is an artist, fabricator and creative facilitator from Cumbria, based in Leeds. Their most recent exhibition was LORE at Sunnybank Mills and they are currently co-producing the Trans Saints History Project, which will culminate at Kirkstall Abbey in mid-2025.

The session will look at different pages on Wikipedia, and potentially other sites, which relate to trans experiences. Those taking part in the session may come across content which is distressing or triggering to them. Given the theme of the session, if there is distressing content, it is likely to be content which is transphobic, misgenders or deadnames individuals, or uses outdated language. Attendees should feel free to leave the session, or take a break, at any time.

The room has step free access (via lift), and comfortable seating. Assistance dogs are welcome in all library buildings, please be aware that an assistance dog will be at this event. The room is equipped with a hearing loop.