LGBT+ History

It doesn’t matter what sector you work in, whether you are an individual or a business, LGBT+ History Month is something everyone can get involved with.

This awareness event was founded in 2004 by the School’s Out project which aims to create a better school environment for LGBTQ+ students by increasing the knowledge of teachers on including LGBTQ+ topics in classes and how to address the issue of school bullying. It deals with the challenges LGBTQ+ and gender nonconforming students face in schools, by training teachers and guiding schools on how to implement LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive policies.

Why is LGBT+ History Month Important?

There are a number of reasons why LGBT+ History Month is important and not only to members of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s also important for everyone to get involved.

1. To remember those who do not have the same rights

According to Human Dignity Trust, there are still 73 jurisdictions in the world that criminalise “private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity”.

2. To remember how we got rights

Being homosexual was decriminalised in the UK in 1967, recent enough to still be in the minds of many citizens. The fight to get there was gruelling, and the path to full equality since then has been slow.

3. To discover histories, we were never taught

LGBTQ+ identities have existed as long as humans have, but history books tend to either barely mention, completely ignore or deliberately erase LGBTQ+ people’s existence and contributions.

4. To let members of the LGBTQ+ community see themselves reflected back in their history

Seeing people you identify with, not just exist in history, but also achieve and conquer huge feats impacts what a person feels they can achieve themselves.

5. To remember how far we’ve come, even recently

Even within the last 30 years the social acceptability of being outwardly gay, bi, trans, intersex or gender-non-conforming has changed hugely. Remember when Caitlyn Jenner came out as transgender back in 2015 and how the media exploded? Now there are transgender people not just out, but celebrated in mainstream culture.

6. To promote understanding of those who are different from ourselves

It exposes the culture of those different from us and helps encourage tolerance through understanding