Councils are marking February’s LGBT+ History Month
Councils play a critical role in reducing inequalities and enhancing inclusion and cohesion within their communities.
That’s why, across the UK, councils will be marking LGBT+ History Month in February, with community events, educational activities, film screenings, talks, walks and exhibitions highlighting and celebrating the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary people and raising awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities.
The UK’s LGBT+ History Month was started in February 2005 by LGBT+ education charity Schools Out UK, to commemorate the ending of Section 28, part of the Local Government Act 1988, that prevented schools and public bodies from promoting homosexuality.
In last month’s first, we previewed the LGA’s second LGBTQ+ Weekender event, with Cllr Bev Craig, the first woman and first openly gay Leader of Manchester City Council, highlighting the importance of such ‘spaces’ for LGBTQ+ councillors to be able to support each other and help improve their councils.
The LGA has a wide range of support available to local authorities, councillors and officers, to help with their work on equalities, diversity and inclusion. This includes an equalities hub, workforce resources, our Be a Councillor campaign, and our ever popular weekender events for black, Asian and minority ethnic councillors, and for young councillors, as well as for LGBTQ+ councillors.