LGBT+ History Month 2023

February is LGBT+ History Month, and the theme for 2023 is ‘Behind the Lens‘.

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 for all LGBT+ people.

To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, the Parkinson Building will be lit up in rainbow colours on 1 February.

The first LGBT+ History Month was celebrated in the UK in 2005.  Since then it has grown and now has a different theme every year.  In 2023 the theme is ‘Behind the Lens’, and aims to celebrate LGBT+ people’s contribution to cinema.  You can find more information, resources and events on the LGBT+ History Month webpage.

LGBT+ History Month also has its own YouTube channel.  A range of videos is available, including personal stories and interviews.  You can also watch a video celebrating the 1981 Pride March which took place in Huddersfield, the first outside London.

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

In Leeds

Trans Awareness in Higher Education – 7 February, 12.00-1.00pm

Leeds University Business School will be holding a  Trans Awareness in Higher Education lunchtime session via Zoom for staff, students and alumni.  It will provide a non-judgemental space to learn how to create a positive experience for trans staff and students, and attendees will have the chance to ask questions and discuss problems specific to their area of work.

Leeds LGBT+ Forum

Leeds LGBT+ Forum will be arranging activities throughout LGBT+ History Month.  Please see the LGBT+ Forum website for more details, and information about their other projects.

Leeds LGBT+ Book Club – The first Wednesday of each month, 6.30-7.15pm via Zoom

Leeds LGBT+ Book Club meet once a month to 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.

The Bookish Type

Second Hand Sunday, 5 February, 12-4pm – Preloved queer books at low prices.

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.

Queer Publishing Now – 11 February, 2.00pm, Horsforth Library

A discussion of the important work of publishers in showcasing the huge variety of LGBT+ voices writing today.  The panel includes publishers, writers and the Bookish Type, Leeds’ own queer bookshop.

‘Joyland’ at LIFF Presents – 15 February, 7.00pm, Vue in the Light

In partnership with Leeds Queer Film Festival, Leeds Film will be showing a preview showing of new film Joyland on 15 February at Vue in the Light.  Set in Pakistan, the film is an exploration of gender and sexuality.  You can book tickets on the Leeds Film Website.

Queer Crafts – The last Wednesday of every month, 7-10pm, Left Bank Centre

Not Queer Enough is an arts and crafting group which provides a judgement free space for LGBTQ+ people to meet and get creative.

Breaking Boundaries in STEM: LGBTQ+ Voices and Experiences – 28 February, 12-1pm

The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences are hosting a virtual Breaking Boundaries event where you can hear panellists speak on how they have broken boundaries in STEM and bravely went against the status quo.  Panellists include:

• Amy Bereton, School of Computing
• Professor Bethany Rose Marsh, School of Mathematics
• Dr Emilio Garcia-Taengua, School of Civil Engineering
• Rob Elkington, School of Mechanical Engineering

You can reserve a spot via Eventbrite.

LGBTQ+ Community Forum

LGBTQ+ Community Forum is a group of organisations supporting older LGBT+ people in Leeds.  They run a wide range of events throughout the year, both online and in person.  These include a Drama Club, Poetry Club, an Art Club and much more.  For more information on events in February and beyond, please visit their website.

Coming up….

Leeds Queer Film Festival – 23-26 March 2023

Leeds Queer Film festival returns this year at the Centre for Live Art Yorkshire.  More information is to come and will be available on their website.  They also have a list of queer films which are available free to watch online.

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.

Read

‘We have always been here’

Roy Ward, Equality and Inclusion Project Officer at the University linked National Institute for Health Research explains the importance of LGBT History Month.

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 within the University

• LUU Student Help & Support
• 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.