LGBT+ History Month is marked every February across the country to remember, celebrate and raise awareness of the history of sexualities and gender identities as well as the contributions of the LGBT+ community in our history. This year鈥檚 theme 鈥淏ehind the Lens鈥� celebrates LGBT+ people鈥檚 contributions to cinema and film.
Andrew Landells, Chair of the says:
鈥淟GBT+ History Month is a significant event in the diversity calendar and is the time when we reflect on those who came before us to fight for equality and our rights to be ourselves without fear of discrimination.鈥�
LGBT+ inclusion matters to us all. An environment where people can be open about their gender identity or sexual orientation fosters a more inclusive community, leading to happier and more engaged colleagues who don鈥檛 feel they have to edit who they are.
Below are some of the events taking place, organised by the staff and student community which you can get involved with throughout the month.
What鈥檚 On:
Pride Flag Raising, Highfield Campus
Thursday 2 February, 9.30
Join us in marking the start of the month as we raise the Pride flag at the Jubilee Plaza, followed by a friendly coffee at the Hartley Library.
Queering Connections: Narielwalla// Dixon
The Winchester Gallery, Winchester School of Art
Open from 01.02.2023- 03.03.23. 12:00-17:00, Tuesday to Friday.
This third iteration of the collaborative exhibition project 鈥楺ueering Connections鈥� presents two artists whose work is represented in University of Southampton/Winchester School of Art鈥檚 internationally renowned Artists鈥� Book Collection.
The exhibition runs across LGBT+ History Month and is curated by Dr Shaun Cole, Associate Professor in Fashion, and co-director of the Intersectionalities: Politics 鈥� Identities – Cultures (iPIC) Research Group at Winchester School of Art.
Thursday 16 February, 17:00 鈥� 18:30
Accompanying the 鈥楺ueering Connections: Narielwalla // Dixon鈥� exhibition in The Winchester Gallery (1 February 鈥� 3 March 2023), this event will bring together the two artists from the exhibition to discuss their individual artistic practices, their influences and work as well as commonalities identified within the exhibition
Tuesday 23 February, 20:00, Union Films
Celebrate LGBT+ History Month with (2014) at Union Films. Based on a true story, the film depicts a group of lesbian and gay activists, fundraising to support families affected by the British Miner鈥檚 Strike of 1984.
Look out for more events and stories throughout the month. Please regularly check the age for the calendar of events. There are available on allyship and inclusive language as well as guidance on getting . For external support, the charity offers guidance through their and a variety of resources.
