Lesbian? No, a gender non-conforming entrepreneur, say civic society worthies
SHE is feted as the first modern lesbian and famed for keeping diaries of her same-sex relationships considered scandalous in 19th century Britain.
But a £1,000 memorial celebrating Anne Lister has caused offence – by not calling her a lesbian.
York Civic Society’s plaque instead refers to the wealthy Yorkshire landowner as a ‘gender-nonconforming entrepreneur’.
Now the society has apologised and said it will consider having the plaque altered, after more than 2,000 protesters signed a petition criticising it.
Miss Lister was born in 1791, the daughter of a soldier who had fought for Britain in the American War of Independence. When her aunt died in 1836, she inherited the family estate, Shibden Hall, near Halifax.
Her love of traditionally male pursuits such as riding and shooting, her style of dress and string of scandalous same-sex affairs led to her being referred to by locals as Gentleman Jack – the title of a forthcoming BBC series in which Miss Lister is played by Suranne Jones.
In 1834 she ‘married’ another heiress, Ann Walker, at Holy Trinity Church in York, where the plaque was unveiled last week.
The couple, who had been lovers for two years, took communion to mark their partnership, although it was not legally recognised as a marriage.
Miss Lister died six years later of fever brought on by an insect bite.
Julie Furlong, who organised the protest petition, said: ‘Anne is an iconic figure to lesbians, throughout West Yorkshire particularly. This has offended and angered many people. Anne Lister was, most definitely, gender non-conforming all her life. She was also however, a lesbian. That is why she took vows with her girlfriend in that church, because they were in love with each other and wanted to express that same sex love – the very definition of lesbianism.’
The civic society said the wording on the plaque had been devised in consultation with the local LGBT community, adding: ‘It was intended to highlight Anne Lister and Ann Walker’s deep commitment to each other, to reflect Anne’s gender-nonconforming presentation, to raise the profile of queer history and to celebrate an LBGT icon.
‘The phrase “gender-nonconforming” was not intended to be read as a replacement for the word “lesbian”. However... we recognise that this has hurt people, and we apologise.’