Queens of the South
Queer Dumfries: A Walking Tour
Join us as we explore the intriguing, complex and largely untold history of Queer & LGBTQ+ life in Dumfries, with stories of the people and places who have shaped our town, and our community.
Weaving through the streets of Dumfries, we will learn about the legend of the Pink Panther; Dumfries’ own gender non-conforming Gentleman Jack; our queer Rebel Suffragette Queen; the creation of our infamous local Drag Queens; secret gay hangouts, aswell as exploring the clandestine development of our local LGBTQ+ services under the spotlight of Section 28 & the explosion of queer culture into public life across Dumfries over the last 2 decades.
Today the LGBTQ+ community’s presence can be openly seen / felt across the town, but this has not always been the case. Though many inequalities still exist, we take pride in a community which has been through so much, from repression and persecution, to violence and discrimination, all of which we have experienced on the streets of Dumfries, yet we rise and continue to strive towards bringing equality and inclusivity foe all, enabling our LGBTQ+ community to become part of the fabric of regular Dumfries life.
This walk has been designed to celebrate Dumfries’ own unique queer heritage and culture, remember and honour those who have gone before us, and to enable us to proudly and openly take our rightful place in the history of our town.
Meeting Point = Ewart Library Dumfries
6.30pm – 8pm
Tuesday 8th August 2023
Tour Length: 1.5hrs
Cost: Free
Booking: Book your free ticket here to ensure your place… OR, take a risk and just turn up!
The tour will end at Dumfries’ coolest and most inclusive safe spaces, The Dougie Arms, for an after mince refreshment, where you can enjoy some time chilling and chatting!
Accessibility: We have tried to make the tour as accessible as possible.
The tour guides are there to ensure you feel safe during the tour.
The route is wheelchair friendly. Please get in touch if you have any concerns or questions
Your Guide:
DJ McDowall (she/they) is a born and bred queer Doonhamer, who established the first LGBTQ+ youth services, and Pride event in Dumfries & Galloway.
They have been a life long activist for LGBTQ+ issues, and local professional youth and community development practitioner for nearly 30 years, working with and championing our most disadvantaged and under-represented communities.
They have a special passion for community heritage engagement, establishing the successful Hidden Histories of DG, and specialise in interactive educational immersive experiences.
They are currently working with StoryTrails immersive storytelling projet; aswell as working with Dumfries Library & Dumfries Museum to help gather and reveal some of the Queer / Gender Non Conforming / LGBTQ+ and Women’s herstories of their beloved local hame toon.
Ensuring these stories take their rightful place within our local archives, and are effectively represented within local collections, and shared appropriately.
They got some real queerdentials!
Any queries: DJ@blether.scot
NB: This is a work in progress, that has been advanced so it could be . . .
*Proudly presented as part of Dumfries Pride month