This is who I am: LGBT+ History Month
01 February 2023
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A public lecture on how performances of ancient tragedy have been used to tell LGBT+ stories, inclusion and allyship training, and RUSU Pride events are all planned to celebrate LGBT+ History Month this February.
The LGBT+ Staff Network hosted a warm-up event for LGBT+ History Month last week, as human rights actors Ice&Fire retold powerful stories of LGBT+ people fleeing persecution and seeking asylum in the UK.
A full schedule of activities this month includes Dr Oliver Baldwin, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Classics, delivering the University's LGBT+ History Month Lecture, based on his Queer Tragedy research project.
What is LGBT+ History Month?
LGBT+ History Month has been marked in the UK each February since 2005. It was founded in 2004 by SchoolsOUT, an education charity whose goal is to make schools and educational institutions safe spaces for LGBT+ communities.
Its foundation coincided with the abolition of Section 28 in England and Wales, which had prohibited the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ by local authorities, and galvanised activism by LGBT+ communities and allies. The Month exists to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, LGBT+ communities while celebrating their achievement and diversity.
Why it matters
We asked members of the LGBT+ Staff Network to tell us why it’s important to mark LGBT+ History Month.
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“LGBT+ History Month matters to me as it is both an insight into the fraught conditions faced by past LGBTQ+ people, and a celebration of the progress and continuing resilience of various LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. As a bisexual woman who has grown up in the UK, I have been fortunate enough to come of age in a period of positive change and acceptance, with increasing social and legal recognition of Queer and LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms. “The specific observance of LGBTQ+ history is a testament to the challenges overcome, and a reminder that there is still much work to do. LGBT+ History Month provides an opportunity to further educate and empower both those who have been disenfranchised and those who have been the oppressors.” Tahlia-Rose Virdee, PhD Candidate in Law and Associate Lecturer |
“LGBT+ History Month matters to me because it reminds me of how diverse and fascinating people have always been. It also reminds me of how much work we all need to do to make sure the world is a fair and safe place for everyone: a world where we protect, celebrate and benefit from how different people understand, express, and live their own humanity.” Oscar David Matallana Uribe, Research Officer, International Business and Strategy |
“LGBT+ History Month is an important part of building a culture of inclusion and celebrating diversity. Participating in activities across the month of February will give you exposure and insight into LGBT+ identities and experiences, and will offer opportunities to see how you can help drive positive change for the LGBT+ community at Reading.” Michael Kilmister, Academic Developer (EDI) and the LGBT+ Staff Network's Lead Ally |
What else is happening this month?
Colleagues can take part in training sessions to develop their awareness of LGBT+ identities through Bi- and Trans- inclusion training and learn more about being a good ally.
RUSU will round off the month with Student Pride Day on 28 February.
The LGBT+ Staff Network is s an inclusive staff support network for individuals identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and/or: other sexual and gender identities, and allies. For more information on this and becoming an Ally, visit the Staff Networks web page.
Full list of LGBT+ History Month activities
| Date | Event | When and Where |
| 25 January 2023 |
Asylum Monologues Rehearsed readings of accounts from LGBT+ people seeking asylum in the UK. Followed by an LGBT+ Staff Network Social |
15:00 - 16:00 Palmer Building |
| 6 February 2023 |
Bi inclusion training This one-hour training session will help you to develop an understanding of Bi identities, prejudice and discrimination towards the Bi community, and how to be a Bi ally |
15:00 - 16:00 Online through UoRLearn |
| 7 February 2023 |
Trans Awareness training Our guest speaker Christian will share his own personal, lived experiences as a gay trans male, helping you to understand, empathise and gain a greater understanding of the journey of transition. Another session will also take place in June. |
13:00 - 15:00 Online through UoRLearn |
| 9 February 2023 |
LGBT+ Student Wellbeing Colouring Session Join RUSU’s Inclusion and Communities Officer in a colouring session discussing LGBT+ students wellbeing in the current University climate and what LGBT+ students need to feel supported at University |
12.00 - 13.30 RUSU Building, Upper 3Sixty, Wellbeing Hub |
| 21 February 2023 |
Active Bystander training This innovative and award-winning training gives you the skills to challenge unacceptable behaviours, including those which may have become normalised over time. Sessions are available each month. |
Online through UoRLearn |
| 22 and 23 February 2023 |
Allyship training Join Michael Kilmister, the LGBT+ Staff Network’s Lead Ally, and Ceara Webster, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor for an introduction to allyship and being an LGBT+ ally at Reading. Colleagues can sign up for one of two sessions. |
13:00-13:50 Online through UoRLearn |
| 27 February 2023 |
LGBT+ History Month Lecture: Queer tragic masks Dr Oliver Baldwin, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Classics, presents on his research into how and why Ancient Greek and Roman tragic drama has long been used to explore LGBT+ identity and desire, as well as celebrate and defend the LGBT+ community |
18:00 - 19:30 Van Emden Lecture Theatre, Whiteknights Campus |
| 28 February 2023 |
RUSU Student Pride A day of activities and talks and an evening of socialising and entertainment. 3sixty: crafts, clothes swap, crochet spoken word, poems, singing Monterey: Panels on LGBT Identity on: being black, being disabled, and being Trans/intersex
There will also be activities and fair style games to take part in outside behind Mojos. |
3sixty/Monterey, RUSU, Whiteknights campus |