Every February, communities across the country remember, celebrate, educate and raise awareness of the history of sexualities and gender identities as well as the contributions of the LGBTQ+聽 community in our history.
LGBT+ History Month came into being in 2005, marking the end of Section 28 鈥� part of the Local Government Act that prohibited local authorities from 鈥減romoting homosexuality鈥� or schools from 鈥減romoting the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship鈥�.
Inclusion matters for all of us 鈥� communities thrive and prosper when embracing diversity and the end of Section 28 meant that LGBTQ+ could become part of our art, media, politics and educations. 聽LGBT+ History Month is an annual event to celebrate the voices and identities of the LGBTQ+ community and to ensure they continue to be heard.
“LGBT+ History Month is an important celebration for people who identify as LGBT+, as it acknowledges all the efforts and activism over the years in the fight for liberation and equality, and remembers all those who have fought for the rights we have today.” 鈥� Andrew Landells, Chair of the Pulse LGBT+ Network.
To celebrate the month, a series of events are running across our University and local communities 鈥� please check the for details as more events are added through the month.
Visit the to , as well as the resources and support available to staff and students, including a range of organisations who work to support the LGBT+ community and offer free, confidential services.
Our dedicated , Pulse, provides 鈥渁n autonomous group for LGBTQ+ people and their friends and supporters. The network promotes a work environment in which LGBTQ+ employees feel supported and valued, enabling them to fulfil their potential and to contribute fully to the benefit of the University.鈥� They are a safe space where individuals can share their聽experiences and talk about both the challenges聽and opportunities they鈥檝e faced previously, and聽those currently being faced鈥�.
Following the successful programme of safe listening spaces for trans staff and students, the Pulse LGBT+ Network will be running these again throughout 2022.
As a University we have also been working to update and improve our HR and admissions systems, including simplifying processes for staff and students to change their name and gender.
