Thursday 01-02-2018 - 09:00

LGBT+ History Month is a time for both celebration and remembrance. Over the course of February, we are running numerous events to tell the stories of how we got to where we are today, and where we go from here.

There will be the opportunity to look at our history, both local and global, from the LGBT+ history of Bristol (complete with walking tour!) to the legacy of Harvey Milk- courtesy of a Richmond Lecture from his activist nephew Stuart Milk.

Building from this, there will be the opportunity to learn from a range of LGBT+ activists who are fighting to change the world today. We’re also drawing focus to aspects of our history and current experiences that are less well known, in the form of our LGBT+ Identities and Faith panel and remembering the forgotten “T” in LGBT+ history.

But this is also a time to celebrate where we are now! From 80s club nights, to story slams, this is a time for the LGBT+ community to embrace and share what our identities mean to us, and have some fun along the way!

For me, LGBT+ history month is an important time of reflection.

Sadly, much of our history is painful, and often ill-recorded, so it is all the more important to celebrate the movements and people who dared to challenge the status quo, who dared to stand up and fight for our rights, and who dared to step out of a life confined to the shadows.

In my opinion, the most important part of history month is to continue on their legacy. Whilst, in law, we have equality, our reality is very different.

And it is so important, now more than ever, to carry on the fight. Whether that be through embracing and celebration our identities, or through engaging in activism, we are LGBT+ history in the making.

Vala Biggart, LGBT+ Network Chair