Helena Whitbread - Anne Lister Plaque Unveiling in York

Helena Whitbread, the decoder of Anne Lister's secret diaries, gave this fascinating talk on 28 Feb, 2019, at the unveiling of the new plaque honouring Anne Lister at Holy Trinity Church in York
Anne took the sacrament at the church in 1834 with her lover, Ann Walker, widely recognized as the first documented lesbian wedding. The original plaque described her as "gender non-conforming", prompting an online petition to change the wording, which had "nothing to do with sexuality." The plaque now reads "Lesbian Diarist."

[@carlingnugent]

I was born in 86 - so her book has been out my entire life! And now! I'm a straight woman in my 30s and I'm so obsessed with Anne Lister! ♡♡ Well done lighting the slow fuse! 🇨🇦
Edit - John Lister is a low key hero for not burning the diaries. He left them behind a paneled wall with an external window so that after he died there was a clue. Someone finally thought - what the deal with that window? And found the panel. It's such an amazing story!

[@LizardBikes]

Okay I understand a windowed panel. Thank You for the information.

[@kesaloma6454]

So mysterious young man who gave Helena information about Anne Lister's diary.... so grateful for whoever he was. 😄

[@ElephantsAreAfraidofBees]

Too think they almost burned the diaries... 😳 Thank you for uploading!

[@katherinephillips4244]

I weep every time I watch an interview with this woman - she speaks so movingly and amusingly of her devoted work for so many years - I love her manner of speaking and hope very much to see her in person one day.

[@marieeast8616]

Katherine Phillips I have the same thought. I wanted to meet her in person.

[@laurazavar]

The same here. She’s absolutely fascinating.

[@mayling141]

It is wonderful to hear from the writer who decoded Anna's Journal, Ms. Helena Whitbread is now in my list as one of my heroines same as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. You are so lucky to have met this extraordinary woman. Thank you for uploading and sharing your experience with Ms. Whitbread to us.

[@laurazavar]

Thank you for adding this video.
I hadn’t been aware of Anne Lister until Suranne Jones’ wonderful portrayal of her in the tv series “Gentleman Jack”.
I’m so intrigued by Anne’s life. I could listen to Helena Whitbread talk all day, her pupils were lucky to have her. I’m just off to buy a copy of her book right now. I’m so glad she had the true northern grit to publish Anne’s diary. I consider myself an ‘ally’ and Helena’s work must have made a tremendous difference in people’s lives 🏳️‍🌈

[@downeastxg]

You are a wonderful person, Helena Whitbread. I just bought your two books, Volume 1 & 2. Thank you for your curiosity, and perseverance on Lister and her amazing life, and your opened-heart and kindness to the lesbians of the past and those present and in the future. You are most admired. I am totally enthralled by Gentleman Jack, and I am thrilled to know you are a consultant on that incredible series. Bravo to all.

[@mahimanair1804]

I literally cried during the end of this interview... So much History and so much passion by Helena Whitbread. She is a remarkable woman herself. This congregation happened a few months before GJ aired so we can see Helena already expected that people would love the story of Anne Lister ❤

[@elizabethwhite1068]

So wonderful, thank you for sharing this! I feel so much gratitude for all of her work and for lighting the fuse!

[@kitt3813]

Love Helena Whitbread she's a credit to Calderdale and to herself :)

[@youhaventgotaprayer]

Well done Helena, thank you!

[@bobbidazzler1343]

I cannot believe this wonderful woman is nearly 90. Her hair isn't white for heaven's sake! Love Helena. 🥰

[@finestkindmedicinal5967]

That story about the headmaster made me cry

[@jippie81]

Thank you for uploading this video. 🙂❤️

[@rosepalmer73]

Thank you for sharing your experiences...I wish you would add in a few of Ann Listers accomplishments that she Achieved in her lifetime and travels when you give speeches to everyone. Thank you

[@ViolaRock]

Never in my life had I heard person soeaking so beautifully English language. Long life for Helena!

[@kmakhlouf4387]

WHEN I read of this Anne Lister person, I at first assumed the individual in question was the quite remarkable woman by the name (of whose name I had forgotten, & assumed Lister was the same person) of Miss Theodora de Verdion - aka "Chevalier John Theodora de Verdion"! See the similarity? Gentleman Jack", and "Chevalier John"? "Chevalier John" was also a lesbian and transvestite, a bookseller and avid reader, translator, and genius- born in the year 1744. Information taken from "Portraits of Curious Characters in London" author anon. Book with chapter on Ms de Verdion is in the public domain, I downloaded my copy off of Gutenberg dot org. PLEASE read of her, the entertainment people could do a documentary on women in history like this. I think it would be fascinating- ps, I am "straight", but to read of such fabulous person of history is fascinating reading to me.

[@kriskabin]

Thanks for the information. If you'd like more impressive historical LGBTQI people to learn about, check out: Lozen of the Warm Springs Apaches. Charley Parkhurst & Albert D.J. Cashier. They all were of the U.S. old west times.

[@kemmayr]

Thank you this has been very interesting,shall be glued tonight to Gentleman Jack,I think it's going to get a lot of viewers,shall be buying the DVD when it comes out 👍

[@inahuffman6999]

This was truly amazing. Thank you for sharing 💙

[@finestkindmedicinal5967]

I like to think Anne Lister would thoroughly approve of this woman.

[@bernietoves8702]

I am a fan. Helena, great work. You are awesome. Bless you.💝

[@rainbowghentian]

Honorary lesbian right there LOL

[@katarzyna2478]

Great lady, interesting.Thanks

[@shelleyharris4176]

She is a great speaker really enjoyed this

[@geekgirrrl]

Bravo and thank you.

[@clarekuehn4372]

Thanks, Sherry! 😍