The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s latest exhibit, Hello Sailor! Gay Life on the Ocean Wave—a joint project with the Merseyside Maritime Museum and National Museums Liverpool—explores the idea of merchant and commercial ships being little slices of “gay heaven” on the open sea in the 1950s and 60s. Dr. Jo Stanley is the co-author of the book based on the exhibit (Hello Sailor: The Hidden History of Gay Life at Sea) and the guest curator. There is a lecture tonight by Dr. Jo Stanley, at 7:30pm, a pre-exhibition tomorrow at 6:30pm, and the exhibit opens Thursday, May 19 and runs until November 27.
The exhibit reveals the unique subculture created by gay men
working as stewards on British ocean liners in the 1950s and 60s and
transitions to Canadian perspectives with the experiences of LGBTI
mariners up to the present day. Spurred on by this exhibit, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic will have their first ever float in this year’s Pride Parade.
“Back in the 1970s I had heard stories about gay seafarers and I thought, ‘somebody should do something on this’” says Stanley. “I was married to a sailor and he told me about these guys who wore these stunning Hollywood-style party frocks, and were as respected as butch men.”
“It was gay heaven on some of these ships,” she continues. “If somebody was homophobic he would switch from that ship because he’d know he’d know he’d be out of kilter with everybody else, so, in that way, it was a pretty rosy picture.”
Although it was widely accepted, it eventually became less common, and somewhat forgotten. “By the 1980s it was fading out even in England. When being openly gay became more acceptable on land, there wasn’t the pressure to go to sea to create these little oases, the pull of the sea as escape wasn’t as strong” says Dan Conlin, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic curator.
“It is a hidden history, which is why it feels like such an honour to be part of the process of exposing it and celebrating it.” says Stanley. “The business of a ship was an exceptional space when it’s a sea, anything goes for a little while.”
This article appears in May 12-18, 2011.
I wish the Maritime museum every success with the ‘Hello Sailor’ exhibit. It gives a very accurate impression of the life of gay men in the British merchant navy in the 50s and 60s. I contributed to Jo’s book and the exhibition which is now on show in your museum. What a difference there is now to the old life of secrecy, and fear, and loneliness that I lived through. Now I live openly, and married to my husband after twenty years together. Jo has my contact details should anyone wish to contact me. Best regards and bon voyage. Alan Davies
There are several books about the Falkland’s War that mention “Wendy”, an openly gay (civilian) steward in M/V Norland, a North Sea ferry taken up from trade to carry 2 Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, to the South Atlantic. Paras are notoriously tough, aggressive soldiers yet “Wendy” became an object of both affection and respect because he was a gifted pianist and singer who kept the soldiers entertained in the evenings and because he refused to leave the vessel at Ascension Island and stayed with her in the war zone. On the return trip he was awarded a Maroon Beret and Jump Smock and made an “Honorary Para” at the insistence of the officers and men of 2 Battalion which was probably a first for the time and culture. See “A Soldier’s Song” by Ken Lukowiak for “Wendy’s” story.
Hi from Nova Scotia. It’s the morning after a truly *fantabulosa* opening event here in Halifax. And never in my life have I seen a maritime museum anywhere in the world rocking to the music of SOS, performed by six-foot beauties in orange wigs and tight thigh booots!
The flags outside the museum on the waterfront spell out Hello Sailor! and the rainbow flag is flying proud this foggy morning.
I feel honoured to be part of such a wonderful and important initiative. It couldn’t have happened without Dan Conlin, Gerry Lunn, all the museum staff (in their pink clothes and sailor hats last night!) , the Canadian LGBT people who gave their stories and artefacts, and the very generous funders.
This exhibition is the culmination of many many peoples’ enterprise and I wonder what new marvel is going to happen next.
And yes, Alan is one of them – and very important because his story and photo tell a quiet story of non-campery. His artefacts are here in the exhibition, along with a replica of an invitation to his civil partnership ceremony with Rob.
I only wish all the people – incl Alan – who made Hello Sailor so successful in Britain could be here to enjoy the first day of the exhibition’s new and expanded life here. How bona to vada – and be a foundational part – of this dolly show!!! It’s one of the happiest days of my life.
Jo Stanley.
” Although it was widely accepted, it eventually became less common, and somewhat forgotten. “By the 1980s it was fading out even in England. When being openly gay became more acceptable on land, there wasn’t the pressure to go to sea to create these little oases, the pull of the sea as escape wasn’t as strong” says Dan Conlin, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic curator.
The dramatic decline in the British Merchant Navy by the 1980’s had more to do with the decline of homosexuals going to sea. Passengers ships had all but disappeared and the number of cargo vessels had also declined. Bouncing around the North sea in oilfield support vessels held little attraction for any person, and switching to passenger airlines was not really an option.
so happy to read your comment, alan.
and thanks again for meeting with me, jo.
everyone should take their stimps down the tober and see this amazing show!