The House of Kings & Queens at People’s History Museum
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
The House of Kings and Queens by international photographer Lee Price offers a reminder that not only do LGBT+ communities in the UK still have a long way to go in terms of acceptance, but that some other communities around the world haven’t even come this far yet.
Focusing on the community in Sierra Leone, where homosexuality remains illegal and people face persecution for revealing their true identities, Price’s imagery captures a glimmer of hope by presenting the home of a young transgender woman. Her home, The House of Kings and Queens offers a sanctuary for those in need, giving a place for people to find a space amongst those who understand and accept them. Creating a unique and powerful collection of photographs, Price explored the house’s members and revealed how it feels to be gay in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Photographer Lee Price sees the project as being a ‘celebration of defiance and togetherness’ despite the difficulties that LGBT+ people face in everyday life in Sierra Leone. The House of Kings and Queens represents a solidarity between the people in the community and stands with pride for the courage of the people who use it.
2017 marked the celebration of fifty years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK and the progress that we have made with regards to British gay rights. Although, there is still plenty to be done in the UK – The House of Kings and Queens highlights that many places in the world, like Sierra Leone, still have much progress to make. This project demands to be seen – raising debates around the ill-treatment of people of people because of their sexuality and to illuminate the human rights issues that we still face, overseas and closer to home too.
