12 Jul 05 The Queens Jewels is the first exciting stage of a three part project collecting memories and experience of BLGBT life in the UK.  The Queens Jewels is very much the public face of this collection.

“We want to present our stories as they are. Not the way they have been portrayed largely through other peoples eyes. Through others we have been seen as victims, sensationalised and even fetishised. Our lives can not be separated from either the Gay or Black experience- we inhabit a unique position in history and this show highlights that” - Ajamu

“In the early days the Black press and the gay press ignored the Black gay presence and still see it as a minority interest. The struggle for visibility continues and The Queens Jewels is part of that struggle as it celebrates and testifies to the experience of the BLGBT community putting us were we belong: in the centre of the Frame.” -Topher Campbell

The Queens Jewels is a fascinating insight into what has helped define black, lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender culture in the UK. For the first time assembling and displaying printed materials, magazines, pamphlets, flyers, posters, and klub memorabilia.
The materials have been collected from individuals, activists, DJs, klub promoters, writers, artists and magazine publishers from within and outside our communities.

The exhibition opened on June 23 6:00 - 9:00 pm at Positive East (Stepney centre) (formerly The Globe Centre), 159 Mile End Road, E1 (tube Stepney Green) and will end on July 29th.

Opening times at Positive East vary, so please contact the centre directly before attending the show: 020 7791 2855.

The Queens Jewels is the first phase of a long term project that will eventually become a permanent living archive of the BLGBT experience in Europe.

Notes to Editors:

1. rukus! Federation Ltd is a ground breaking cutting edge enterprise dedicated to celebrating and show -casing the best in challenging work by Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender artists nationally and internationally.
2. For additional information/press interviews and images please contact: Ajamu 07813 823 095 /Topher 07855 278 795/email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it