LGBT+ History Month comes around every February in the UK… but what is it, why is it important and how can you take part? Whether you have celebrated before or know nothing about this important month, we hope to bring you up to speed with all of the ways you can honour the past of the community in 2023, including some fun activities hosted by our own LGBT+ Network!
A brief history...
While the event has existed in the US since the 90’s, the first UK LGBT+ History Month was in February 2005, coinciding with the 2nd anniversary of the abolition of Section 28, a law which prohibited any local authority from “promoting homosexuality”. This month was introduced in order to educate people about the queer community, a group that historically has been erased and discriminated against, as well as to celebrate the parts of our history that are often overlooked. (This is why we don’t have a straight or a cisgender history month, but it doesn’t mean people outside the community can’t join in with the fun!)
What's happening this year?
This year’s theme is ‘Past, Present and Future’. It is a dedicated time to acknowledge, celebrate and share the impact of LGBTQ+ culture.
Looking at the past, 2023 marks 20 years since the abolishment of section 28 (a law that prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities.)
Following many years of resistance against homophobia, the present-day is a truly historic moment for our communities - after years of invisibility, the queer community are starting to be seen as we have been officially counted as part of the census.
How can I honour/ celebrate this month?
There are many ways you can honour and/or celebrate LGBT+ History Month, whether you are LGBT+ yourself or not.
Seyi (your Equity & Inclusion officer) has organised a range of activities to celebrate the month, from crafternoons to coffee socials. As well as this, keep an eye on the LGBT Network's Instagram page to see what they've got in store...
During this month there are often many educational events based on LGBT+ history in the UK or around the world, the lives of key LGBT+ activists, and the current frontiers of LGBT+ activism. These events are often in the form of talks, documentary screenings, workshops and discussion groups. Here are a few highlights...
Bloomsbury hosts one of the most important landmarks in our history (and also a film location!) - the bookshop Gay’s The Word, which was the meeting place of the activist group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM). LGSM provided aid for the miners during the strikes of 1984-85, and showed the importance of showing solidarity between struggling groups. Their legacy is still alive today, with the Stanstead 15 and Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants creating links between the LGBT+ community and migrants suffering the threat of deportation, many of whom are LGBT+ and will be in danger if removed from the country. The film 'Pride' (2014) is also a great watch, telling the story of LGSM and featuring the bookshop itself! Why not pop in and take a look at their amazing selection of books?
History is a continuous process and some may say our history is not over, and this is evident with the number of LGBT+ specific campaigns that are still around today. They may vary wildly in size, from ensuring gender neutral toilets in your university to the decriminalisation of homosexuality around the globe, but they are still important to our community, and those involved are all making LGBT+ History.
Having a strong sense of community should not be overlooked in all the political events that surrounded LGBT+ History Month, so you should also seek out socials (for communities that you are a part of) to attend, especially if you have never done so before, this is a great time to do so!
LGBT+ History month is important because we must remember what happened in order for us to experience the current place we hold in society today, and to better understand how we can work, how we can shape history, so that LGBT+ can have an even better future. Thank you for reading, and we hope you have a special LGBT+ History Month!