What is LGBT+ History Month?
LGBT+ History Month has been celebrated in the UK since February 2005 after the abolishment of Section 28 in 2003. LGBT+ History Month is intended to raise awareness of, and fight discrimination against those within the LGBTQ+ community, whilst also celebrating the progress made in terms of equality for LGBTQ+ people.
When looking at key developments in LGBT+ Rights in the UK, this year marks:
- 10 years since the UK’s first same sex marriage taking place in March 2014.
- 20 years since the Gender Recognition Act was passed, giving trans people the legal recognition of their appropriate gender.
- 45 years since the founding of Stonewall UK which was founded in response to the passing of Section 28.
Why is getting involved in LGBT+ History Month important?
This year, the LGBT+ Staff Community are keen to invite all staff to engage with their events this February. All events during February are hybrid or online, and open to all staff and students to attend.
When asked why staff should engage with the LGBT+ Staff Community during History Month, Joe Blomfield, Co-Chair for the LGBT+ Staff Community said:
“Working at the university, we all know the power of education, and I really want to just encourage everyone to come and learn more during LGBT+ History Month. When discussing LGBT+ History I think most people automatically think of the Stonewall Riots or the AIDs epidemic, but actually there is so much more to explore. So much of queer history is still quite unknown, but I think the events we have planned really focus on exploring our history and culture which is so often a beautiful combination of resistance, joy and heart-break.”
How is the university marking LGBT+ History Month 2023?
The universities LGBT+ Staff Community have planned a host of events and campaigns to celebrate and educate both students and staff this February.
This year, the LGBT+ Staff Community have split the month in to 4 key themes:
- Personal History: Exploring LGBT+ individual and personal journeys.
- Cultural History: Looking at the social development of LGBT+ culture.
- Legal History: Exploring the changes in legislation that impact LGBT+ people
- Medical and Healthcare History: Reviewing the historical changes, and contemporary issues that face LGBT+ people within healthcare.
If you would like to be sent a calendar invite for any events, please email LGBT@greenwich.ac.uk
Join the events!
What's on at GSU?
This LGBTQ+ History Month Greenwich Students' Union have chosen to highlight these four books, in a bid to educate, acknowledge and reflect on LGBTQ+ history.
Take a look at and find out more about what's happening this month on their webpage here.
