Despite the lockdown, councils around the country will be marking LGBT+ History Month with online events and activities.
February is LGBT+ History Month, an initiative by the charity Schools OUT UK that focuses on the celebration and recognition of LGBT+ people and culture – past and present – and on increasing the visibility of diverse LGBT+ histories, lives, and experiences.
It has been celebrated every year in the UK since 2005.
More on LGBT+ History Month
- Personal freedom and individual responsibility, by Cllr Peter Golds CBE, Leader of the Conservative Group on Tower Hamlets Council and Deputy Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board
- Representing our communities, by Cllr Anwen Muston (Lab), a member of City of Wolverhampton Council’s Equalities Advisory Group
- A responsibility to embrace all, by Cllr Val Keitch (Lib Dem), Leader of South Somerset District Council
- Councils’ services ‘make a difference’, by Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council
The theme for 2021 is ‘Body, Mind, Spirit’ and, as in previous years, it is linked to a National Curriculum subject – in this case, personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE).
While the pandemic has put paid to many of the usual events that would be taking place, councils and other organisations across the country will be celebrating LGBT+ History Month with online events, webinars and new resources. Libraries and museumas are also hosting online events as part of the ‘OUTing the Past’ international festival this month.
We hear from councillors from across the political spectrum about their experiences as LGBT+ elected members and/or their councils’ work in supporting LGBT+ communities (see ‘More on LGBT+ History Month’, above).
The LGA’s Be a Councillor campaign works to increase the diversity of candidates standing in local elections (see www.local.gov.uk/be-councillor).
We also provide workforce support to councils on equalities and diversity issues. This includes the Equality Framework for Local Government, which covers understanding and working with your communities, leadership and organisational commitment, responsive services and customer care, and a diverse and engaged workforce (see www.local.gov.uk/our-support/workforce-and-hr-support/equality-diversity-and-inclusion).