LGBT+ History Month is marked every February across the country to remember, celebrate and raise awareness of the history of sexualities and gender identities as well as the contributions of the LGBT+ community in our history. This year’s theme “Behind the Lens” celebrates LGBT+ people’s contributions to cinema and film.
Andrew Landells, Chair of the Pulse LGBT+ Network, says:
“LGBT+ History Month is a significant event in the diversity calendar and is the time when we reflect on those who came before us to fight for equality and our rights to be ourselves without fear of discrimination.”
LGBT+ inclusion matters to us all. An environment where people can be open about their gender identity or sexual orientation fosters a more inclusive community, leading to happier and more engaged colleagues who don’t feel they have to edit who they are.
Below are some of the events taking place, organised by the staff and student community which you can get involved with throughout the month.
What’s On:
Pride Flag Raising, Highfield Campus
Thursday 2 February, 9.30
Join us in marking the start of the month as we raise the Pride flag at the Jubilee Plaza, followed by a friendly coffee at the Hartley Library.
Queering Connections: Narielwalla// Dixon
The Winchester Gallery, Winchester School of Art
Open from 01.02.2023- 03.03.23. 12:00-17:00, Tuesday to Friday.
This third iteration of the collaborative exhibition project ‘Queering Connections’ presents two artists whose work is represented in University of Southampton/Winchester School of Art’s internationally renowned Artists’ Book Collection.
The exhibition runs across LGBT+ History Month and is curated by Dr Shaun Cole, Associate Professor in Fashion, and co-director of the Intersectionalities: Politics – Identities – Cultures (iPIC) Research Group at Winchester School of Art.
Queering Connections: In Conversation with Hormazd Narielwalla and Jeremy Dixon
Thursday 16 February, 17:00 – 18:30
Accompanying the ‘Queering Connections: Narielwalla // Dixon’ exhibition in The Winchester Gallery (1 February – 3 March 2023), this event will bring together the two artists from the exhibition to discuss their individual artistic practices, their influences and work as well as commonalities identified within the exhibition. Sign up to the Queering Connections webinar.
Tuesday 23 February, 20:00, Union Films
Celebrate LGBT+ History Month with a free screening of Pride (2014) at Union Films. Based on a true story, the film depicts a group of lesbian and gay activists, fundraising to support families affected by the British Miner’s Strike of 1984.
Look out for more events and stories throughout the month. Please regularly check the EDI SharePoint age for the calendar of events. There are toolkits and training available on allyship and inclusive language as well as guidance on getting support at the university. For external support, the charity Stonewall offers guidance through their information service and a variety of resources.
