LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 – February 2023

Founded in 2004 by Schools Out UK and first celebrated the following year in 2005. It initiated to mark the 2003 abolition of Section 28, the law passed in 1988 to stop councils and schools from “promoting the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”.

LGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long, annual celebration and remembrance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history. The main aim is to promote equality and diversity as well as raising awareness of the issues faced by LGBTQ+ people.

LGBTQ+ History Month aims to put LGBTQ+ people back into the history books by showing how they have always been present in society and vital contributors to human progress, whether their status has been acknowledged historically or not.

It is also a time to celebrate and learn about LGBTQ+ people and the impact they have made, both for other LGBTQ+ people and the world as a whole.

The theme of this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 is #BehindTheLens. This celebrates the contribution of LGBT+ people to cinema, television, and film, from behind the lens. The theme also links to how LGBTQ+ lives are portrayed in the media versus the real life experience of LGBTQ+ people in the past and present.

We encourage you to look #BehindTheLens and listen to LGBT+ peoples’ lived experience.

What can you do?

• Remember those across the world who live without rights
• Learn about historic LGBTQ+ figures and events
• Encourage inclusivity and understanding in the workplace
• Remember how far we have come in the fight for equality
• Build a better world for young LGBTQ+ professionals

For more information, visit LGBT+ History Month - LGBT+ History Month (lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk)

The Council work extremely hard to ensure that we offer a safe and enjoyable place for LGBTQ+ people to work and to ensure that the Vale of Glamorgan area is a positive and nurturing environment therein. If you would like to get involved in this, or if you have any suggestions for how to make things better, please contact GLAM, our LGBTQ+ Staff Network.

If you are concerned about discrimination or harassment, or want more information about how to report it, please refer to the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s grievance policy.