Come along to a very special performance by Timberlina and Auntie Maureen which will bring to life some of the coded, intriguing and sometimes naughty personal ads found at The National Archives and Bishopsgate Institute. Explore what archives can reveal about how queer networks and communication have evolved over the last hundred years.

The Link was a ‘lonely-hearts’ style publication from the early 20th century, which sought to connect people. It is littered with coded language for men to meet men, with phrases including ‘bachelor’, ‘bohemian’ and ‘unconventional’. In an era when the law criminalised your love, how was it possible to meet members of the same sex? Prior to online dating sites, many magazines catered exclusively for personal ads, promising true love, romance and far more ‘exotic’ pastimes.

There is also an exciting chance to help source the inspiration for this performance at research sessions at The National Archives and Bishopsgate Institute. Get involved and see your archival research brought to life on the stage.

(Photo is of The Link, April 1921, The National Archives. Document reference: MEPO 3/283).