Every February is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration to recognise the contributions of, and combat prejudices against, the LGBT+ community. It is described as "a month for everyone: community groups, organisations, individuals, activists, service providers, LGBT and non-LGBT people alike. Importantly, LGBT History Month is a great opportunity for local authorities, businesses and third sector organisations to show their support for LGBT people." The first celebration in 2005 was taken up in the UK by teachers Sue Sanders and Paul Patrick as part of the Schools OUT UK project, which educates young people on issues faced by queer communities and saw the organisation of over 150 events around the UK.
This year’s theme is Poetry, Prose and Plays and four LGBT+ writers from history were chosen. These were E.M. Forster, Lorriane Hansberry, Dawn Langley Pepita Simmons and William Shakespeare. Throughout the whole of February and March, approximately 1,500 events are taking place including tours around the city and musical performances. This year’s month is in honour of Lyra McKee, who was killed during the Derry riots last year.
The origins of this month came about because, after years of campaigning, Section 28 (which "banned the "promotion" of homosexuality by local authorities and in Britain's schools") was repealed with a 99 to 17 majority vote, but the legislation left an enduring legacy. LGBT Youth Scotland points out that "guidance on what teachers could now talk about with their pupils was not forthcoming, leading to years of continued uncertainty about what was appropriate for discussion in school settings. It is only in recent years - thanks to the hard work of teachers, campaigners, charities and local authorities - that meaningful progress has been made in beginning to undo the toxic legacy of the law".
