LGBT History Month (UK)
Last updated February 25, 2021
Date Started
2005
Organizer
Sue Sanders and Paul Patrick as a Schools OUT UK project
Hashtags
#LGBTHM21
(or current year)
When
Month of February
History and Background
In 2005, educators and activists Sue Sanders and Paul Patrick organised LGBT History Month as part of a Schools Out UK project, a programme that aims to educate young people about the issues members of the LGBT+ community face and to make schools feel inclusive for everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
The event was held in February to coincide with the 2003 abolition of Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act.
Section 28, a piece of legislation introduced by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government, stated that local authorities were not allowed to "intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality".
Between 150 and 200 events took place across the UK to celebrate LGBT History Month in the year of its conception, far exceeding the organisers' expectations of 15 to 20 events.
The event has been held in the UK in February every year since.
How to Participate
You can participate by visiting the organizer’s website for various materials and the current year’s campaign theme. If your campus or place of work has an LGBTQ group, encourage them to organize an event throughout the month. It may be interesting to highlight the various LGBTQ+ community members in the UK to honor their contributions on a global scale. If you’re on social media, use the current year’s hashtags and campaign photos to spread the word and encourage others to do the same.