A new anthology titled "The Beat of Our Hearts" has been released, bringing together stories, poems, and reflections from LGBTQ+ individuals in Wales. The collection is inspired by Natalie McGrath’s play of the same name and addresses themes such as love, loneliness, identity, and belonging within Welsh communities. It is freely available to read online through Swansea University’s repository.
The project was launched at the Museum of Cardiff in February 2025 with a screening of McGrath’s play. The event included a writing workshop led by Norena Shopland, a historian specializing in Welsh LGBTQ+ history. Participants were encouraged to explore how the play’s themes related to their personal experiences, particularly focusing on rural and coastal regions where LGBTQ+ voices may be less prominent.
Dr Charlotte Jones, lecturer in sociology at Swansea University and leader of the initiative, commented: “It was inspiring to spend the day with such a passionate and engaged group, each bringing their own unique voice and perspective on LGBTQ+ life in Wales. What stood out most was the trust and openness in the room – participants shared their in-progress work, often for the first time. It felt like a real privilege to witness those early flickers of creative expression.”
Contributions to the anthology include works such as "A Pink Haired Queer in the Valleys" by Colin John—an account of navigating queer identity in a mining village—and "Porsha’s Journey," which tells the story of transgender activist Porsha Ross from Cardiff. Other pieces address topics including heritage, language, and community among LGBTQ+ people across Wales.
Dr Jones expressed hope that publication will foster pride among contributors while raising awareness about marginalized communities: “I hope the contributors feel pride and joy in seeing their work published and appreciated. Beyond this, I hope the collection highlights LGBTQ+ lives in Wales, especially those in rural communities. There’s still so much work to do to ensure queer voices are heard, funded, and valued in these areas – especially in the arts and media.”
This project extends Dr Jones’s research into mental health issues affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals as well as loneliness within these communities. It complements ongoing efforts by Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales to expand its collections relating to LGBTQ+ history. Funding for this initiative came from the Arts & Humanities Research Council Impact Acceleration Account at Swansea University.
Dr Jones further stated: “This collection celebrates a diversity of LGBTQ+ voices and reflects on the growing presence of queer lives in archives and museums. We hope it contributes to ongoing efforts to ensure LGBTQ+ histories, creativity, and communities are preserved and celebrated as a vital part of Wales’s cultural heritage. Too often, these stories have been erased or sidelined. This collection contributes to the work of reclaiming space.”