LGBTQIA+ History Month

UK LGBTQIA+ History Month

LGBTQIA+ History Month, the annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, as well as the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements, is here in the United Kingdom. 

This important day is recognised throughout February in the UK to coincide with the abolition of section 28 in 2003, which prohibited the ‘promotion’ of sexuality in society. The repeal of this bill came about after mass protests by LGBTQIA+ campaigners. (In the United States the month is celebrated in October.)

It’s not only an acknowledgement and celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, but also a reminder that their contributions throughout history, their hard-won struggles against state institutions, are events that have shaped society today. Their history is our history.

It’s also an opportunity to remember those across the world who still live without rights, and that the process of building a better world for LGBTQIA+ people is still underway. To acknowledge this, we have curated a list of important books and articles, which are now free to access, as a starting point to discussion, and encourage you to read, share and learn from this content.

*Content on this page will continue to be updated throughout the month. Check back for more information*

LGBTQIA+ Social Science

A Guide to being An Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth

 

Presented by The Trevor Project, this guide is an introductory educational resource that covers topics and best practices on how to support transgender and nonbinary young people.

Trans Girls Are the Real Target of Anti-Trans Bills

 

Read how a growing number of states are considering and passing anti-trans legislation, and the harmful effects these laws are having on trans youth, particularly trans girls.

The Importance of Cultural and Social Awareness in Building LGBTQI Families

Read Dr. Marni A. Brown’s thoughts on the cultural and structural importance of LGBTQIA+ families

Watch the Webinar: Queer and Trans Perspectives in Academia

Check out SAGE Publishing’s hosted a panel discussion about the significance of LGBTQ+ narratives in higher education

Highlighted Media

Podcasts

LEARNT. is a podcast by DoctorJonPaul & Kevin Allred that shamelessly blurs the boundary between entertainment and education for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond!
LEARNT. is a podcast by DoctorJonPaul & Kevin Allred that shamelessly blurs the boundary between entertainment and education for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond!
Stories and conversations about the queer experience today. Prepare to laugh and cry and laugh again.
Stories and conversations about the queer experience today. Prepare to laugh and cry and laugh again.
The topics you care about – sex, feminism, kink, social justice, and entertainment – through a queer AF lens.
The topics you care about – sex, feminism, kink, social justice, and entertainment – through a queer AF lens.

Books

An author who wishes to recall a history known to his parents, but outside his own experience, often has a hard time getting it right. He may brim with overconfidence about what life was like back then but may miss many of the subtleties.
An author who wishes to recall a history known to his parents, but outside his own experience, often has a hard time getting it right. He may brim with overconfidence about what life was like back then but may miss many of the subtleties.
Wyatt is fifteen, and nobody in his homophobic small town of Lincolnville, Oregon, knows that he's gay. Not even his best friend (and accidental girlfriend) Mackenzie.
Wyatt is fifteen, and nobody in his homophobic small town of Lincolnville, Oregon, knows that he's gay. Not even his best friend (and accidental girlfriend) Mackenzie.
Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they've never met ... until one day when they're made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance.
Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they've never met ... until one day when they're made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance.

Films

It's Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend hasn't been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the sex worker and her best friend, Alexandra, embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles.
It's Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend hasn't been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the sex worker and her best friend, Alexandra, embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles.
Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.
Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.
A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to manhood is guided by the kindness, support and love of the community that helps raise him.
A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to manhood is guided by the kindness, support and love of the community that helps raise him.
A Chinese-American lesbian and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.
A Chinese-American lesbian and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.
France, 1770. Marianne, a painter, is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Héloïse, a young woman who has just left the convent. Héloïse is a reluctant bride to be and Marianne must paint her without her knowing. She observes her by day, to paint her secretly.
France, 1770. Marianne, a painter, is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Héloïse, a young woman who has just left the convent. Héloïse is a reluctant bride to be and Marianne must paint her without her knowing. She observes her by day, to paint her secretly.
A secretly bisexual Brooklynite from a traditional Persian family struggles with her identity and the disintegration of her relationship with her girlfriend.
A secretly bisexual Brooklynite from a traditional Persian family struggles with her identity and the disintegration of her relationship with her girlfriend.
An aspiring black lesbian filmmaker researches an obscure 1940s black actress billed as the Watermelon Woman.
An aspiring black lesbian filmmaker researches an obscure 1940s black actress billed as the Watermelon Woman.
On an outing with friends, CeCe, a transgender woman of colour, was brutally attacked; as she tried to defend herself, a man was killed, and CeCe was arrested for murder.
On an outing with friends, CeCe, a transgender woman of colour, was brutally attacked; as she tried to defend herself, a man was killed, and CeCe was arrested for murder.
Two Chicana high schoolers, Mari and Yolanda, form a bond that confuses them at times.
Two Chicana high schoolers, Mari and Yolanda, form a bond that confuses them at times.
In a seedy corner of London, Omar, a young Pakistani, is given a run-down laundromat by his uncle, who hopes to turn it into a successful business. Soon after, Omar is attacked by a group of racist punks, but defuses the situation when he realizes their leader is his former lover, Johnny.
In a seedy corner of London, Omar, a young Pakistani, is given a run-down laundromat by his uncle, who hopes to turn it into a successful business. Soon after, Omar is attacked by a group of racist punks, but defuses the situation when he realizes their leader is his former lover, Johnny.
Teenage Alike lives in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood with her parents and younger sister. A lesbian, Alike quietly embraces her identity and is looking for her first lover, but she wonders how much she can truly confide in her family, especially with her parents' marriage already strained. When Alike's mother presses her to befriend a colleague's daughter, Alike finds the gal to be a pleasant companion.
Teenage Alike lives in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood with her parents and younger sister. A lesbian, Alike quietly embraces her identity and is looking for her first lover, but she wonders how much she can truly confide in her family, especially with her parents' marriage already strained. When Alike's mother presses her to befriend a colleague's daughter, Alike finds the gal to be a pleasant companion.
This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion.
This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion.
A closeted Korean-American teenager follows his desires and finds more than he bargains for at a Korean spa.
A closeted Korean-American teenager follows his desires and finds more than he bargains for at a Korean spa.
In 1967, New York City is host to the Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant. This documentary from Frank Simon takes a look behind the scenes, transporting the viewer into rehearsals and dressing rooms as the drag queen subculture prepares for this big national beauty contest.
In 1967, New York City is host to the Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant. This documentary from Frank Simon takes a look behind the scenes, transporting the viewer into rehearsals and dressing rooms as the drag queen subculture prepares for this big national beauty contest.

Ways to Get Involved

There are countless resources to support your trans ally learning (and coming out!) experience. Looking to be a stronger ally? Check out some of these organizations and connect with their work. Check out resources that were developed to boost your trans inclusion IQ and action plan. Commit to learning more.

Check out this list of organizations to support across the US 
Learn more about the different actions you can take to help fight against anti-trans bills and for respectful policies

Ways to Help

  • HRC – Human Rights Campaign
  • PFLAG – PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies
  • GLAAD – GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change
  • The Trevor Project – The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.
  • Queer as Fundamental – Queer As Fundamental (Queer AF*) is a new docu-series featuring the real-life stories of six remarkable, Queer individuals across America.
  • Family Equality – Family Equality’s mission is to advance legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change
  • True Colors United – True Colors United implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ young people.
  • Sylvia Rivera Law Project – The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence