LGBT+ History Month 2022

February is LGBT+ History Month, and the theme for 2022 is 'Politics in Art: The Arc is Long'.

LGBT+ History Month takes place every February.  It is a month long celebration of LGBT+ history and the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements.  It aims to promote and celebrate equality and diversity.

The first LGBT+ History Month was celebrated in the UK in 2005.  Since then it has grown, and now has a different theme each year.  In 2022, the theme is 'Politics in Art: The Arc Is Long'.  You can find more information, and details of a wide range of online events, on the LGBT+ History Month website.

LGBT+ History Month also has its own YouTube channel.  A wide range of videos is available, including the online launch of LGBT+ History Month, interviews with prominent LGBT+ people, and personal stories of coming out and facing prejudice.

More information and resources can be found on Stonewall's website.

 

At the University of Leeds, our core values of inclusiveness and community are at the heart of everything that we do.  Over the years, the University has worked closely with our active LGBT+ Staff Network, Students’ Union Officers and colleagues to promote LGBT+ inclusion and create an open, inclusive environment for all.

To mark LGBT+ History Month, the Parkinson Building will be lit up in rainbow colours on Tuesday 1 February and again on Monday 28 February.

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, LGBT+ History Month events are taking place largely online in 2022.

Did you know?

In 1981, the annual National Pride March was held in Huddersfield, the first time it had been held outside London.  This was in solidarity with LGBT+ people in West Yorkshire who had been experiencing harassment.  A photographic exhibition will be on display at the Huddersfield Lawrence Batley Theatre later in the year to mark the occasion.

In Leeds

Leeds LGBT+ Book Club - The first Wednesday of every month

Leeds LGBT+ Book Club meet once a month to read and discuss books written by LGBT+ authors or with LGBT+ themes, both fiction and non fiction.  For more information, including their reading list, please see their website.

OUTing the Past - 12 February, 9.50am-2pm

OUTing the Past is an online conference hosted by Leeds City Museum.  It is an international celebration of LGBT+ history with a wide range of speakers.   Topics this year include a personal story of growing up gay in Uganda, a discussion of the works of Patricia Highsmith and much more.  You can find the full programme of events and details of the speakers on their website.

The event is free to attend via Zoom but places are limited.  To book your place, please visit the To book your place visit the OUTing the Past Eventbrite page.

Pride of Place Living Leeds - 17 February, 6-7.30pm

Pride of Place will be holding a series of workshops throughout 2022 to explore themes surrounding a multigenerational, accessible and affordable LGBT+ affirmative housing scheme in Leeds.  The aim is to design spaces of connection within a communal living environment, whilst allowing residents to retain their privacy and individuality.  You can join them on 17 February to discuss, explore and create with architects and informed facilitators from across the region.

To book your place visit the Pride of Place Living Leeds Eventbrite page.

Keepers of the City's Queer Past - 23 February, 1.00pm, Leeds Central Library

Dr Ross Horsley, from the Thackray Museum of Medicine looks at how the recent West Yorkshire Queer Stories project has highlighted underrepresented voices within the region's history.

To book your place visit the Keepers of the City's Queer Past Eventbrite page.

Breaking the Binary

Breaking the Binary is an online exhibition about non-binary identity in Leeds.  It explores many themes concerning non-binary identity, such as Coming out, What do Non-binary people look like?, Non-binary and the Queer Community, Supporting Non-binary folks, and the Importance of Representation.  There is also a glossary, a photogallery as well as links to resources, charities to support, and queer friendly places to visit in Leeds.

The Bookish Type

The Bookish Type is an independent queer bookshop in Leeds.  It can be found upstairs in the Merrion Centre and stocks a wide range of queer literature including fiction, non fiction, poetry, short stories and graphic novels.

Leeds Queer Film Festival

Leeds Queer Film Festival list of films with queer themes (google docs) are free to watch online.  They also invite anybody to contact them if they find any other links to free queer films: leedsqueerfilmfestival@gmail.com

West Yorkshire Queer Stories

Between 2018 and 2020, West Yorkshire Queer Stories collected stories about LGBT+ life across the region.  A wealth of films, videos, podcasts and personal stories has been put together.  They are now held by the West Yorkshire Archive Service, and can be accessed on the West Yorkshire Queer Stories website.

LGBTQ groups in Leeds

The LGBTQ Meetup website gives details of a wide variety of LGBTQ social groups in Leeds and the wider region for anybody looking to meet other LGBTQ people, make friends and socialise.

Leeds LGBT+ Community Consortium

Leeds LGBT+ Community Consortium is a group of organisations who came together during the Covid pandemic to support older LGBT+ people in Leeds.  They run a wide range of events including a book club, a poetry club, a film club and a songwriting workshop.  Please see their website for more details and how to book.

Podcasts

Becoming Bethany Marsh, life as a transgender professor of mathematics

Leeds University's Professor Bethany Marsh talks about winning the Whitehead prize, her ongoing INI research programme, and the many positive outcomes that have come from her recent transition of gender.

The Diversity Conversation with Jamie Richardson

Leeds University Business School alumnus Jamie Richardson talks about LGBT+ History Month, and his role as the development lead at Switchboard, the largest LGBT+ helpline.

Societies and Networks

Contact the LGBT+ Staff Network to find more information and details of activities and events.

Contact the Leeds University Union LGBT+ Society, to find information about activities.

Trans/Non-binary/Intersex meet-up  

The Trans/Non-binary/Intersex staff meet-up group is open to PGR students and staff. For further details, please email: trans@leeds.ac.uk 

LGBT+ Role Models and Allies

Read more about the University’s inspirational LGBT+ Role Models and Allies. If you would like to be featured as a Role Model or an Ally yourself, you will find a form to fill in on the site.  You can also contact the LGBT+ Staff Network or the Equality & Inclusion Unit if you would like more information.

Support for LGBT+ people during the pandemic

Research has shown that Covid-19 has had a disproportionate effect on LGBT+ people.  Stonewall have compiled a list of LGBT-friendly support organisations.

LGBT HERO is a national health and wellbeing charity for LGBT+ people.  They provide information on all health issues affecting the LGBT+ community including a wealth of information on support during the pandemic.

There is a summary of useful and LGBT+ relevant resources available on the EIU coronavirus web page. Please share these resources with your networks.

Support within the University

• LUU Student Help & Support
• University Equality & Inclusion Co-ordinators
• University Equality & Inclusion policies
• Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service
• Staff Counselling and Psychological Support Service

Further Support

Other organisations which can provide support and information:

• Gendered Intelligence – a charity working with the trans community and those who impact on trans lives
• Stonewall – providing information and support for everyone in the LGBT+ community
• LGBT Foundation – the UK’s largest health and community charity supporting the needs of LGBT+ people
• Non-Binary Leeds – peer-led support and social group for non-binary people in Leeds and the surrounding areas
• Trans Leeds – Leeds based support group for Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender Non-Conforming people
• GIRES – an organisation working to improve the lives of trans and non-binary people, their friends, families and colleagues
• Proud ‘N’ Diverse – non-profit LGBTQI+ support and social group based in Leeds City Centre

 

Contact Us

For any queries on LGBT+ History Month, please contact either the LGBT+ Staff Network or equality@leeds.ac.uk.