Welsh language literature through an LGBTQ+ lens

Aberystwyth academics are looking to give exposure to forgotten voices in Welsh-language LGBTQ+ literature in a bid to place their writing alongside other definitive works.

‘Testunau’r Enfys’ (Rainbow Texts) is an innovative project to explore and enrich LGBTQ+ representation and identities in Welsh language writing, stimulate new research, and support and mentor people to create new works in the field.

The collaborative project, in partnership with academics at Bangor and Cardiff Universities, is funded by The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

On 20 September, academics and creative practitioners came together at the National Library of Wales to explore historical and contemporary Welsh literature through an LGBTQ+ lens to identify literary works that have been hidden or not given deserved attention in the past.

The workshop's findings will be showcased at a conference, ‘Testunau’r Enfys’ (Rainbow Texts), at the National Library of Wales in July 2025.

Dr Cathryn A. Charnell-White from the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University is one of the organisers of the project:

“We are excited to launch this project because analysing our literature through an LGBTQ+ lens offers much groundbreaking potential and also fosters diversity and inclusivity in the field.

“One of my favourite examples is a poem about friendship between two sixteenth-century women, which offers new and interesting interpretations when read through an LGBTQ+ lens.”

Dr Gareth Llŷr Evans, Lecturer in Theatre and Performance in the Department of Theatre, Film & Television Studies at Aberystwyth University is also part of the project team:

“At the project’s outset, it is already clear that there exists a significant body of Welsh-language literature that articulates queer identities and experiences, which includes many works that lend themselves to being interpreted through a queer reading. This project provides an opportunity to acknowledge this diversity of out and proud voices, while also highlighting those that historically might have expressed a queer sensibility in more subtle ways.”

Another aim of the project is to create a community of academics and creative practitioners in Welsh-language LGBTQ+ literature in order to build expertise in the field.

Emily Pemberton, the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s Equality, Diversity and Anti-Racism Co-ordinator, said:

“Funding and supporting this project is important and aligns with the Coleg's equality and diversity strategy to ensure Welsh-medium higher education is inclusive and reflects the experiences of the whole community. This project is extremely exciting as it will create new research and foster a community of researchers in the Welsh LGBTQ+ literary field which will ultimately enrich students' education.”

Participation:

The 'Rainbow Texts' project team wishes to develop the field as a whole by developing new and experienced researchers, and by exploring a range of archives. The project team welcomes creative practitioners and academics interested in the subject to get in touch to share their expertise, and to attend the conference on 5 July 2025.

Further information can be found on the Coleg’s website