LCT 7074 has many extraordinary stories to tell. Newly restored to its original D-Day appearance it is easy to overlook its lesser heard stories. It was once a lively 1960’s nightclub on the River Mersey.
Journeying, crossing-over, adventuring and exploration is part of how we all live our lives. The mini LCTs you see in this film were co-created by artist Jan Frith working with the 4U group and British Red Cross women’s group. The makeovers inspired by the stories we all have - some to tell - some not shared.
By drawing a parallel with the bravery and comaraderie of D-Day the museum became a safe welcoming setting to inspire the makeovers. No questions were asked and no judgements made.
In its own way LCT 7074 has always battled for equality of all types of people. As a vessel of war the ship transported the tanks and soldiers to Nazi occupied Europe. The Nazis persecuted anyone who the regime judged to be wrong or who did not fit in with their limited vision of the world.
By 1967 the year George Evans took ownership and made the ship a nightclub, homosexuality was finally decriminalised in the United Kingdom. Now in 2022 the ship is once again involved in the ongoing struggle for equality for all and for the protection of the oppressed from their oppressors.
As a riot of colour, the mini LCT’s were installed 8 February 2022 as part of LGBT+ History Month. The installation concluded at an event on 8 March 2022 to celebrate International Women’s Day. The celebratory event also highlighted contribution of people who have made LCT 7074 welcoming and accessible since restoration began in 2019.
On this project The D-Day Story were delighted to work with:
• The 4U Youth Group which supports young people between the ages of 13 and 19 years old who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender variant, or who are questioning their gender identity, or sexuality.
• The Community Champions group supports women who have been impacted by domestic abuse and harmful cultural practices including Female genital mutilation. It is run by Stop Domestic Abuse in partnership with the British Red Cross.
The film gives an insight into how the project sought to work with a wider range of people to diversify the profile of visitors to The D-Day Story.
