In the UK, February is known as LGBTQIA+ History Month! Read more about the campaign by clicking here.
LGBTQIA+ History Month
This February we’re celebrating LGBTQIA+ History Month for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans+ students at Swansea University.
LGBTQIA+ History Month is for everyone; whether you work in education, are a student, are a member of an existing network/social group or just an individual keen to get involved. We want as many people as possible to get involved and share the rich history behind the celebrations.
The campaign takes place in February because that was when it was initiated by the LGBT+ Education charity ‘Schools Out UK’ in 2005. Schools Out UK did this to coincide with the 2003 abolition of Section 28, a law which was passed in 1988 to stop councils and schools from “promoting the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.”
The law was partly inspired by a 1983 storybook called ‘Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin’, which aimed to give children information about different types of family relationships. That being said...30 years later, the campaign is still going strong and growing each year.
The theme for this year's LGBTQIA+ History month is ‘Behind the Lens’. The aim of this theme is to celebrate LGBT+ people’s hard work and contributions made to the production of film and cinema from ‘behind the lens’ (We 100% recommend checking out the screenings happening in our very own Taliesin this month).
Your SU, The University, LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, Allies and Faith & Campuslife are pleased to recognise this campaign by holding a range of our own events, open to all staff, students and visitors.
You can check out some of the events happening on campus this month by clicking here.
As an SU and a University, we continue to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and seek to provide a positive and inclusive working and learning environment that allows our LGBT+ colleagues and students respect. We whole heartedly support and stand with all LGBTQIA+ people within our community and are proud of the work we do as we continue to platform diversity, inclusivity and equality.