This month marks the 18th LGBT+ History Month in the United Kingdom. LGBT+ History Month is an annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history, as well as the history of the gay rights movement. It was founded by co-chairs of the Schools OUT UK charity, Sue Sanders and Paul Patrick, in February 2005 to honour the abolition of Section 28 in 2003, which prohibited the promotion of homosexuality. Introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government in 1988, the oppressive series of laws resulted in many LGBT+ organisations effectively being forced to limit their activities or self-censor.
Throughout history and even now LGBT+ individuals have suffered a great deal of prejudices. LGBT+ History Month is all about raising awareness of the achievements of the LGBT community now and throughout history, in order to combat these prejudices. It is about promoting the welfare of the LGBT+ community and ensuring they are recognised in both the curriculum and the wider community.
LGBT+ History Month’s motto is “Claiming our past. Celebrating our present. Creating our future”, as well as the Schools OUT UK motto, “Educate OUT Prejudice”. They place a large emphasis on education, in order to make educational and other institutions safe places for all LGBT+ individuals. Therefore, to claim their past throughout the month they aim to regularly feature prominent LGBT+ figures who have been forgotten in mainstream history.
Each year LGBT+ History Month is centred around a particular theme, the theme for 2023 is ‘Behind the Lens’, celebrating the LGBT community’s contribution to film and television.
LGBT individuals have played instrumental parts throughout the history of film and television. Whether they be directors, actors, producers, animators, screenwriters and beyond, this LGBT+ month is all about highlighting and celebrating the lives and accomplishments of the LGBT+ individuals who have created art and provided entertainment through the mediums of cinema, television, and other visual art forms such as photography. The theme also provides an opportunity to reflect on the struggles and censorship that many LGBT+ artists have and continue to face today.
This month is extremely important not just in terms of educating young people, but also yourself and the wider community on how to combat the historical and present day prejudices the LGBT+ community face. 2023’s ‘Behind the Lens’ theme provides a fantastic opportunity to additionally engage with and celebrate the extraordinary artistic accomplishments achieved by the LGBT+ community.