Additional Resources
School Resources
School Resources
This material is for teachers and other education providers to help them deliver materials associated with educational presentations produced by the Prejudice and Solidarity Archived Throughout History (PATH) Project.
Purpose of the PATH Lesson Plans and attached materials is to increase awareness of LGBT+ and Minority Ethnic History in classrooms of secondary schools, promotion of inclusive and diverse learning environment and increase engagement of young people in local history and heritage.
PATH Lesson plans contain three modules:
- Love and the Poetry of Bessie Craigmyle
- Transgender Histories – Aberdeen, Scotland, and the UK
- Pride of Aberdeen – LGBT+ Prejudice, Solidarity and Activism
These are to be used separately and can be used in any order based on preferences of the educator. Presentations are built to be applied for teaching History, but can also be used in English, Politics, Social Sciences and Media Studies.
PATH Lesson plans are intended to be used for classes S2 and above, as the subject matter is to be approached with both sensitivity and a level of previous knowledge in text comprehension and discussion.
Lesson Plans
Despite having been a taboo subject, lesbians have been present throughout Scottish, British and world history. This can be seen in art – be it visual, written or performance. Stories of “sapphic” poets have been perhaps the most popular and the 19th Century provided numerous example of incredible authors, whose lives are being unearthed only recently. One such person, was Aberdonian Bessie Craigmyle, whose work and love to Margaret Dale remained dormant until 2000s. But why? And what does her status, relationship and education tell us about Women in the late Victorian Era?
Although a relatively modern term, transgender people have existed throughout history. They have also often stood at the forefront of LGBT+ activism, developments and issues in the UK and wider world. But have they faced backlash in the past, or is that a modern development? Story of Ewan Forbes, while covered up in the past, is key to understanding subsequent struggles of the Trans-community. It also asks the question – Does your identity making you an activist for people like you? Learn about second half of the 20th Century from the position of transgender people and their perception in this module.
With Pride being celebrated more than ever, it is perhaps natural to reflect on much how things have changed over the last 50 years. Many basic courtesies and rights were not guaranteed to LGBT+ people before changes in legislation introduced from 2000 onwards. In this module, the Project features testimonials of several members of the LGBT+ community alongside more general introduction to Queer History in Britain and Scotland. It also places Aberdeen in the historical context of fighting for equality for LGBT+ community, as expressions of prejudice and solidarity were seen in the Granite City since the 1960s.
Other Resources and Signposting
Information and sources for the PATH Project
This factsheet highlights the information and sources relevant to the project, which can be accessed in specific partner institutions of PATH – Aberdeen City Council (Town House and Old Aberdeen House Archives) and University of Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Institute and the Special Collections.