LGBT+ History Month 2023

As we come to the end of LGBT+ History Month, we felt it was important to reflect on its importance, looking back at the origins and relevance of the celebration in 2023. With LGBT+ and Pride developments continuing to be increasingly celebrated, LGBT+ History Month presents a valuable opportunity to remind ourselves of the progress made so far and to inspire us to keep advocating for the LGBT+ community.

LGBT+ History Month was first celebrated in the USA in October 1994 after being created by high school teacher Rodney Wilson (University of Central Florida, 2021). October was chosen as it already involved celebrations for National Coming Out Day on the 11th and the anniversary of the first march in Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on the 14th (University of Central Florida, 2021; Howard University, 2023).

In the UK, LGBT+ History Month wasn’t first celebrated until 2005, having been founded in 2004 by Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders and Paul Patrick, who were the co-chairs of Schools OUT UK (LGBT+ History Month UK). The celebration takes place in February in the UK to coincide with the abolition of Section 28 in England and Wales, with Scotland having already abolished Section 28 (the Local Government Act 1988) in 2000 (National Records of Scotland; Stonewall, 2023; The National Archives).

Section 28 was introduced by the Thatcher government in 1988 to prevent local authorities from being able to ‘intentionally promote homosexuality’, contributing to the discrimination of those within the LGBT+ community and marking a stark contrast to the progress that had been made in recent decades (National Records of Scotland). Following growing outcry in Scotland, particularly from campaigning groups such as the Scottish Minorities Group (SMG), Section 28 was abolished in Scotland in June 2000 as one of the first acts of the newly devolved Scottish Parliament (National Records of Scotland; Scott, 2000). It was then finally scrapped across the UK in 2003 after facing increasing criticism and having been quite rightly described as ‘homophobic’ and ‘deeply offensive’ (Gillan, 2003).

2023 therefore marks 20 years since the abolition of Section 28 in the UK, with the chosen theme for this year’s LGBT+ History Month being ‘Behind the Lens’ (National Records of Scotland, Stonewall, 2023; Together, 2023). The Behind the Lens campaign aims to spread awareness of the invaluable contributions made by LGBT+ people to cinema, film, and music, as well as media more generally, from behind the lens (Together, 2023). Throughout LGBT+ History Month, we are encouraged to go ‘Behind the Lens’ and listen to the lived experiences of those who have made these contributions to ensure they continue to be appreciated.

Looking ahead to June and LGBT+ Pride Month in the UK, it is important to reflect on the importance of LGBT+ History Month to help inform our understanding of the Pride movement in its current form and how it evolved. In particular, how do those involved in Pride historically continue to have significance and how can we make sure their involvement is not forgotten? Additionally, how can businesses who have no problems using LGBT+ Pride Month in June for their own profits improve their largely ceremonial efforts to join the Pride celebrations? What can these companies learn from LGBT+ History Month to inform their understanding of Pride, rather than simply using it as a convenient and predictable marketing tool?

Resources

Below we have gathered some resources which may be helpful for further learning about LGBT+ History Month: