Every February, communities across the country remember, celebrate, educate and raise awareness of the history of sexualities and gender identities as well as the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in our history.
LGBT+ History Month came into being in 2005, marking the end of Section 28 – part of the Local Government Act that prohibited local authorities from “promoting homosexuality” or schools from “promoting the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”.
Inclusion matters for all of us – communities thrive and prosper when embracing diversity and the end of Section 28 meant that LGBTQ+ could become part of our art, media, politics and educations. LGBT+ History Month is an annual event to celebrate the voices and identities of the LGBTQ+ community and to ensure they continue to be heard.
“LGBT+ History Month is an important celebration for people who identify as LGBT+, as it acknowledges all the efforts and activism over the years in the fight for liberation and equality, and remembers all those who have fought for the rights we have today.” – Andrew Landells, Chair of the Pulse LGBT+ Network.
To celebrate the month, a series of events are running across our University and local communities – please check the events page for details as more events are added through the month.
Visit the EDI Network SharePoint to find out more about History Month, as well as the resources and support available to staff and students, including a range of organisations who work to support the LGBT+ community and offer free, confidential services.
Our dedicated LGBT+ Staff Network, Pulse, provides “an autonomous group for LGBTQ+ people and their friends and supporters. The network promotes a work environment in which LGBTQ+ employees feel supported and valued, enabling them to fulfil their potential and to contribute fully to the benefit of the University.” They are a safe space where individuals can share their experiences and talk about both the challenges and opportunities they’ve faced previously, and those currently being faced.
Following the successful programme of safe listening spaces for trans staff and students, the Pulse LGBT+ Network will be running these again throughout 2022.
As a University we have also been working to update and improve our HR and admissions systems, including simplifying processes for staff and students to change their name and gender.
