First modern lesbian plaque infuriates for lack of L-word
2,000 sign petition to protest at memorial that describes Anne Lister as ‘gender non-conforming’
HER string of scandalous love affairs with other women made her something of a cause célèbre among England’s early 19th-century high society.
But plans to erect a plaque to honour Anne Lister as the “first modern lesbian” have descended into a row after it failed to include the word “lesbian” for fear of causing offence.
York Civic Society has been forced to issue an apology after the £1,000 plaque described her as “gender nonconforming”.
More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for the plaque to be taken down on the grounds that it is an insult to the gay community.
Lister was born in 1791. On her aunt’s death in 1836 she inherited the family estate, Shibden Hall, which gave her the freedom to live as she pleased.
She was known as “Gentleman Jack” for her love of “male” pursuits such as shooting, riding and dressing in black.
She was attracted to women of similar social standing with whom she enjoyed a number of same-sex affairs. Her first love, as a 13-year-old, was her boarding school room-mate and “girl of colour” Eliza Raine.
At 21, she was romantically linked to older heiress Isabella Norcliffe, known as Tib, but Lister complained that her lover’s drinking meant their only bedroom activity involved Tib’s snoring.
She fell in love with doctor’s daughter Mariana Belcome, who broke her heart by marrying landowner Charles Lawton. The pair carried on behind Lawton’s back for five years, until they became the subject of local gossip.
In 1832, Lister fell for Ann Walker, another heiress – and their love forms the story of the BBC drama series starring Suranne Jones, Gentleman Jack.
Lister and Walker got engaged in 1834 and attended Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York, to take communion as a couple.
Just six years later, travelling together in the now former Soviet republic of Georgia, Lister suffered a fatal insect bite aged 49.
A plaque was put up by York Civic Society last month outside Holy Trinity Church in York where Anne made her vows to Walker.
The society chose to refer to her as a “gender non-conforming entrepreneur” after consultations with the city’s gay community.
But the wording sparked a backlash, as the plaque fails to acknowledge that Lister was a lesbian. “Anne is an iconic figure to lesbians throughout West Yorkshire particularly,” said Julie Furlong, one of the organisers of the petition.
“This has quite rightly has offended and angered many people in York and West Yorkshire.
“A gender nonconforming woman can be many things because it only means that you do not conform to societal expectations. It has nothing to do with sexuality.
“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 society said it was “open to the idea of updating the plaque”. It said in a statement: “The intention of the plaque is to recognise the impact Anne Lister has had on so many people and to celebrate an important figure and moment in LGBT history. While we’ve received many positive responses to the plaque, we are really sorry that there are also many people who feel let down by the plaque’s wording.”