THE LGBTQIA+ HERITAGE PROJECT

This LGBTQIA+ History Month, we’re highlighting the LGBTQIA+ Heritage project, a collaboration between The Rainbow Project, Cara-friend and HERE NI. The Heritage Project is a volunteer-led project focused on recording and preserving the rich, diverse LGBTQIA+ heritage in Northern Ireland, kindly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Operating since 2020, the current term of the project explores the history and heritage from the introduction of Section 75 of the 1998 Northern Ireland Act through to today, focusing on different legislative changes and how they impacted LGBTQIA+ communities in the region.

LGBTQIA+ History Month is celebrated locally during the month of February. It is the time to remember those who went before us, celebrate our successes, reflect on our struggles and the discrimination we have faced. To quote Spanish philosopher George Satayana, “Those who cannot remember history are condemned to repeat it.” This year’s theme is Activism and Social Change, and it is the fifth History Month since the beginning of the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project.

History Month plays a critical role in raising awareness, fostering inclusivity, and celebrating the diverse experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals. It is celebrated with the goal of recognising the history, struggles, and accomplishments of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals throughout history. While many important historical events and milestones related to the LGBTQIA+ community have been omitted from mainstream education, LGBTQIA+ History Month seeks to fill this gap and create a platform for greater understanding.

LGBTQIA+ History Month was started by Rodney Wilson, a teacher, in the US in 1994, now it is celebrated in at least 35 countries. The LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project forms part of the International Committee on LGBTQIA+ History Months, and were one of the founding organisations of this Committee alongside Rodney. He was the guest speaker at the LGBTQIA+ History Club on 28th January, which is available to watch on the Heritage Project’s YouTube channel.

One of the primary reasons LGBTQIA+ History Month is important is because it ensures that the experiences and contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals throughout history are acknowledged and celebrated. Historically, LGBTQIA+ people have been marginalised, criminalised, and erased from history books. They have often been relegated to the shadows, their stories overlooked, and their identities stigmatised. The celebration of LGBTQIA+ History Month provides an opportunity to bring these oftenneglected narratives into the light, sharing the contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals in areas like the arts, sports, sciences, politics, as well as the fight for equality.

For example, the work of pioneering figures such as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, or Marsha P. Johnson, a black transgender activist and one of the key figures in the Stonewall Riots, is vital to understanding the history of LGBTQIA+ rights and activism. Through events and educational programs during LGBTQIA+ History Month, people learn about the historical significance of these figures and how their actions have led to the rights and visibility LGBTQIA+ individuals enjoy today. In many cases, these stories have not been part of mainstream education, making LGBTQIA+ History Month an essential opportunity to provide a more complete and accurate narrative of our collective history.

Of course, closer to home we have our own amazing activists who we celebrate including Wilma Creith, who ran a support line for trans people in the 1970s, Ernie and Jim who created safe places for our communities to live their authentic lives. If you wish to learn more about local queer heros, you can join the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project on one of our Pride of Place walking tours, or alternatively get in touch to hear about our courses or lunch and learns.

In many cultures, including our own, LGBTQIA+ history has been hidden, stigmatised, or deliberately suppressed. This erasure not only harms individuals but also denies future generations the chance to learn from the past. The visibility that LGBTQIA+ History Month brings helps counter this erasure, ensuring that LGBTQIA+ individuals’ lives, struggles, and triumphs are remembered and respected. It also serves as a reminder that LGBTQIA+ history is an integral part of human history, not a separate or isolated chapter.

On the whole, the month plays a significant role in promoting acceptance and inclusivity by challenging stereotypes and breaking down misconceptions. When people are exposed to the diversity of LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences, they are more likely to develop empathy and understanding. This is crucial, especially for younger generations, as LGBTQIA+ youth are often vulnerable to bullying, discrimination, and social isolation. By learning about the history and contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals, young people are encouraged to see LGBTQIA+ identities as valid and worthy of respect, which can lead to safer and more inclusive environments in schools, workplaces, and communities.

LGBTQIA+ History Month also allows for reflection on the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Despite progress made over the years, there are still significant challenges related to discrimination, violence, and inequality. For instance, LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, continue to experience high rates of hate crimes and marginalisation. If you or anyone you know have experienced a hate crime, The Rainbow Project have a hate crime advocacy service open to all within our community.

HIV/AIDS remains a crisis for many, and conversion practices still exist both here and around the world, despite being widely discredited. LGBTQIA+ History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the history of these struggles, from the early days of the AIDS epidemic to the fight for marriage equality, and acknowledge how far society has come while recognizing the work that remains.

The month also offers a platform to emphasize the importance of visibility in the LGBTQIA+ community. Visibility is a powerful tool for social change. When LGBTQIA+ individuals are seen and heard in the media, the arts, and public life, it can challenge harmful stereotypes and provide a sense of community and validation. In Belfast we have celebrated our first out gay Lord Mayor, with Councillor Micky Murray taking the chain until June 2025. Micky has been very supportive of our project throughout his year in office.

There is often an emphasis on increasing visibility by highlighting LGBTQIA+ voices in literature, cinema, and media throughout LGBTQIA+ History Month, helping to normalize diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

Representation matters, as it allows people to see themselves reflected in the world around them and fosters a sense of belonging. As part of that, Crystal Queer Film Club is showing the Wizard of Oz Thursday 27th February in 2a Royal Avenue. The film influenced may in the LGBTQIA+ community including Gilbert Baker, who cites the song ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ as influential in his design of the original Rainbow Flag.

LGBTQIA+ History Month also encourages allyship, fostering stronger support networks for the community. Allies are vital to the progress of LGBTQIA+ movements. They can use their positions of power and privilege to advocate for change and amplify LGBTQIA+ voices. By engaging with LGBTQIA+ history and issues, allies gain a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by the community and become better equipped to support their friends, family members, and colleagues. This allyship strengthens the LGBTQIA+ community and creates a broader coalition for social change.

Whether by celebrating the contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals through history, fostering empathy and understanding, promoting inclusivity, reflecting on our ongoing or combatting historical erasure, LGBTQIA+ History Month provides a vital opportunity for us all to reflect, learn and grow as a community. It also serves as a reminder of the power of visibility and the importance of allyship. Celebrating LGBTQIA+ history not only honours the past but helps build a more equitable and accepting future for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.