In recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month in February, Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies is celebrating with an online exhibition.

The event will be looking at the lives of LGBTQ+ people from Hertfordshire's past.

The exhibition includes documents and artefacts from an ancient Roman Emperor, to a cross-dressing highwayman, to a "female husband".

One of the areas explored by the exhibition is legislation and its significant impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ people throughout history.

For example same-sex relationships were first officially legislated against under Henry VIII, and it took more than 400 years for men to legally be allowed to have relationships with other men.

For centuries, those caught could be executed.

Now, in 2021, UK couples of all genders and sexual orientations can marry.

Part of the exhibition focuses on the discovery of a person's identity; a rector from Essendon had to flee the county after accusations of gross indecency, and Oscar Wilde was sent to prison for his same-sex relationships.

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There is also a reflective look at the outbreak of HIV and AIDS in the 1980s and its impact on Hertfordshire.

How did local authorities try to curb the spread, and what impact that had on LGBTQ+ communities.

Ralph Sangster, Executive Member for Resources at Hertfordshire County Council said: "We are proud of the diverse and inclusive history and nature of our county.

"Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies preserves the county's history, but it also continues to collect these histories and expand its collections.

"This online exhibition is fascinating and I would highly recommend you visit www.hertsmemories.org.uk"

Hertfordshire Archives asks that anyone who is comfortable sharing their own stories and memories do so under a dedicated section of the exhibition.

The first LGBTQ+ collection was created in 2019 and anyone with items to donate to the archive so that they can be preserved for future generations can get in contact with [email protected]