The research question centers on understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped the collective memory and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in the United Kingdom. The study's context is the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, particularly for marginalized communities. The purpose is to document these experiences through oral histories, providing valuable insights into the impact of a global crisis on a specific community. The importance lies in preserving these narratives for future scholars and enriching the understanding of LGBTQ+ history and resilience. The researchers aimed to create a collection of video-based oral histories representing diverse LGBTQ+ experiences during the pandemic, distinctly from the viewpoints of those individuals. This collection would then become a part of the Queer Britain Museum's permanent collection, providing future scholars with meaningful historical testimony. The project recognizes that lived experiences provide foundational evidence for comprehending monumental world events. The study acknowledges ongoing scholarly debates about the definitions and boundaries of the “LGBTQ community” but focuses on how collective memory and shared experiences manifest in the self-identified LGBTQ+ individuals involved in this project.

The study draws upon existing literature on oral history methodologies and concepts, highlighting their significance in understanding marginalized communities by prioritizing minority voices. It also incorporates relevant museum studies content, particularly focusing on museums representing marginalized people. The authors discuss the importance of systematic approaches in oral history research while emphasizing the need for open-ended interpretation of collected narratives. Concepts like "flashbulb memory" and how sensory cues trigger recollections are explored, connecting personal memory to place and time. The influence of Portelli's work on form and meaning in oral history is noted, highlighting how remembering and storytelling illuminates the narrator's investments in specific past versions and Halbwachs’s theory of collective memory, created from group contributions and communicated through commemoration. The literature review also draws upon existing research on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on queer collective memory, noting its role as a "usable past" for understanding the COVID-19 experience.

The research employed a video-based oral history methodology, utilizing remote video software to interview self-identified LGBTQ+ individuals across the UK. The "Queer Pandemic" project, launched in May 2020, followed best practices in oral history, incorporating queer theories and methods. The project protocols included ethical guidelines from both the Oral History Association (US) and the Oral History Society (UK), along with IRB approval. An interdisciplinary team, including students as interviewers and transcribers, ensured rigorous data collection and analysis. A structured interview guide with thematically organized question categories guided the interviews. The pedagogy integrated field methodology, initially developed for projects on northern racial segregation and an LGBTQ+ neighborhood, was refined for this project. Grounded theory and content analysis were used to code responses, supplemented by NVivo software for identifying insights and themes. The project’s ongoing nature means the findings presented are not exhaustive. Recruitment involved multiple strategies, including the "Open Letters to Queer Britain" campaign involving social media, social networks, and targeted outreach to underrepresented groups within the UK. At the time of writing, 48 interviews had been completed and archived.

Several key themes emerged from the interviews. Many participants struggled with recalling timelines and experiences due to the prolonged nature of the pandemic and lockdowns, especially those interviewed after the first year. The disruption of physical spaces for community interaction significantly impacted memories and the ability to connect experiences to specific times and locations. Increased feelings of isolation and loss of community connections emerged as the pandemic progressed, with initial excitement regarding virtual connections giving way to fatigue and isolation. The loss of access to traditional LGBTQ+ spaces such as bars, clubs, and community centers led to widespread isolation, as described by participants. The temporal aspects of community engagement were crucial: those interviewed earlier in the pandemic (2020) used present tense to describe community engagement, especially if their work directly involved the LGBTQ+ community, while those interviewed later (2021) used past tense, reflecting increased distance and isolation. This isolation impacted the individuals' sense of self and their relationship to the larger queer community, disrupting the social reinforcement of queer identity. However, the collective memory of the HIV/AIDS epidemic served as a powerful touchstone. Many subjects spontaneously connected their experiences with COVID-19 to their memories of HIV/AIDS, highlighting the parallels between the two pandemics, especially government inaction, homophobia, and the strengthening of community in the face of adversity. The collective memory of HIV/AIDS activism also influenced responses to the pandemic, providing a “usable past” and inspiring resistance against perceived government failings.

The findings highlight the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBTQ+ collective memory in the UK. The challenges in recalling specific details due to the prolonged lockdowns demonstrate how physical spaces and social interactions profoundly shape memory formation. The erosion of traditional community spaces and the shift to virtual connections led to feelings of isolation and disconnection from queer identities. The study reveals the dynamic interplay between individual and collective memory, showing how personal experiences intertwine with broader community narratives. The resonance of the HIV/AIDS experience underscores the significance of historical parallels in shaping the present, suggesting a cyclical pattern of marginalized communities facing similar challenges during public health crises. The resilience demonstrated by the community during past pandemics offers a valuable resource for navigating the current one. The study’s findings contribute to understanding the impact of pandemics on vulnerable communities and offer implications for future research on collective memory, queer identity, and public health interventions.

This study provides valuable insights into the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the challenges of isolation, the disruption of traditional community spaces, and the role of collective memory in navigating crisis. The "Queer Pandemic" project serves as a vital resource for understanding the complex interplay between individual and collective memory within the LGBTQ+ community. Future research might explore the long-term effects of the pandemic on LGBTQ+ identity and community formation, as well as the continuing influence of historical trauma and resilience in future public health emergencies. Expanding the project to include more diverse voices, particularly from underrepresented groups, would strengthen the collection and its impact.

The study primarily focuses on self-identified LGBTQ+ individuals in the UK who had access to technology and were comfortable participating in video-based interviews. This limits the generalizability of the findings to those who were not able to participate due to technological limitations, housing insecurity, or lack of public disclosure of sexual orientation and gender identity. The ongoing nature of the project at the time of writing also means that the findings presented represent a snapshot of the experiences, and further themes might emerge as more data is collected.