Maria Jastrzębska shares the powerful stories behind the three objects she is donating to our Queer Museum. Polish-British poet, feminist, editor, translator and playwright, Maria has published three full-length volumes of poetry and two pamphlets. She is the co-founded Queer Writing South and South Pole. In this interview Maria talks about being a girl scout, feminist activism and intersectionality, and the inherent queerness of poetry... Recorded remotely on April 29, 2021 Interview by: Roni Guetta and David Sheppeard Editing and original music by Olive Mondegreen

Photo of me on the steps of No.6 Percival Terrace - where I lived with my second Brighton boyfriend. Note that No.7 is under construction. In fact, 7-12 had collapsed some years before as a result of a sink-hole underneath the building. Rebuilt in the same late Georgian style in the noughties, the row is complete once again.

Marlborough Madams Flyer (2010)

Marlborough Theatre Brighton Fringe 2012 Brochure designed by Sarah Ferrari. Pink Fringe LGBTIQ+ programme highlights include: A Right Pair - Bette Bourne & Paul Shaw Trouser Wearing Characters - Rose Collis Mae-Day: I'm Not Waving I'm Drowning - Mae Martin Rachael's Café - Little Fly Theatre

Marlborough Theatre Brighton Fringe 2013 Brochure designed by Sarah Ferrari. Pink Fringe LGBTIQ+ highlights include: Adventure Misdaventure - Nick Field A Right Pair - Bette Bourne and Paul Shaw Night After Night by Neil Bartlett and Nicholas Bloomfield - performed by Paul Shaw Nicholas Bloomfield Sister Acts - Mzz Kimberley and Son of a Tutu

Marlborough Theatre Brighton Fringe 2015 Brochure designed by Sarah Ferrari. Pink Fringe LGBTIQ+ programme highlights include: Big Girl's Blouse - Kate O'Donnell Miss Behave's Gameshow - Miss Behave with Harry Clayton-Wright Hard Graft - David Sheppeard Chisteene Machine

Marlborough Theatre Brighton Fringe 2016 Brochure designed by Sarah Ferrari. Pink Fringe LGBTIQ+ programme highlights include: Naked Boys Reading Sissy's Progress - Nando Messias Break Yourself - Ira Brand Funeral Doom Spiritual For Male Soprano Piano & Electronics - M Lamar Help! I Think I Might Be Fabulous - Alfie Ordinary King of the Fringe Joan - Milk Presents Stud - Ivor McAskill The Daily Grind - Laurie Brown Women's Hour - Sh!t Theatre

Marlborough Theatre Brighton Fringe 2017 Brochure designed by Sarah Ferrari. Pink Fringe LGBTIQ+ programme highlights include: Triple Threat - Lucy McCormick Makin in Rain - Nicole Henriksen The Comforter - Stacy Makishi OUT - Rachael Young Gypsy Queen - Hope Theatre Company The Dog and Pony Show (Bring Your Own Pony) - Holly Hughes Sex Education - Harry Clayton-Wright Who Do You Think You Are? Barbara Brownskirt The Girl From Oz - Courtney Act

Poster for trans pride season featuring Alok Vaid-Menon at the Marlborough Pub & Theatre in July 2018 Image of poet & performer Alok Vaid-Menon

Photo of Marsha P Johnson with face flowers stapled to it and the words 'BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER' across the bottom

Informative leaflet distributed by the NHS about masturbation, including the perception of masturbation in wider society, common myths, and benefits of masturbation including how it can be utilised in the practice of safer sex. The leaflet aims to inform readers about masturbation and destigmatise and reduce shame around the practice. Published in September 2011 by the Centre for HIV and Sexual Health which is a part of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

Maurice’s story - 19 December 1987 ‘I developed swellings in my glands and my bowel movements became difficult. I told my doctor, whose reaction was “glands, that’s nothing - feel mine. I hope you’re not becoming obsessed with your bowels.” I was sent for a blood test, but as there was no HIV test in 1982, I was told that I must have picked up a virus which had now gone. But I think that it could have been HIV as two years ago I was diagnosed as being antibody positive. Since that day, I have to thank the Sussex AIDS Helpline, from whom I had support from the first moment of the shock of my diagnosis. I very soon joined the Helpline myself - it was the only way I could cope with everything. I had to know as much as I could about AIDS. After a while I realised I wanted to work with people with AIDS, so I did a course in massage techniques, so I could offer something useful to the people I worked with. Because I have had a full life, I can’t be too sad, though I’m not ready to go yet and I’m going to put up a fight. The people I feel sorry for are the young ones who thought they had a full life to lead, and now live in fear and doubt. Today at St. Peter’s Church, I witnessed the most beautiful service of my life – a memorial to those in Sussex who have died of AIDS. Bless whoever in the Helpline who first thought of this. I shall remember it for the rest of my life, however long that might be, and I shall remember my departed friends.’ Maurice died on the 12 January 1988, quite suddenly but peacefully.

A memory of the Museum of Transology at Brighton

Programme for 'My Fair Cinders Ain't So Hot'. A pantomime produced by Brighton's Alternative Pantomime. The programme contains the cast, acts, credits and advertisements for local businesses.

Grey t-shirt printed with a black banner reading 'MY GENDERATION'