February 25, 2020 - 1643 views
Taking place throughout February across the UK, LGBT+ History Month aims to raise awareness and celebrate the lives and history of the LGBT+ community.
Although the UK has come a long way in terms of equality and reducing prejudice, there’s still work to be done. LGBT+ History Month provides a valuable opportunity for everyone to show their support and to promote an inclusive modern society.
Created in 2005, this month long celebration was a response to the abolishment of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988. Established by the educational charity Schools Out UK, this national campaign is designed to promote the welfare of LGBT people, especially young people within the education system to enable them to achieve their full potential.
This year’s campaign is to be hosted by Conwy, Anglesey and Gwynedd local authorities, working alongside local LGBT+ organisations to share stories and support LGBT+ people to be visible and respected in our communities.
Conwy County Borough Council’s Portfolio holder for modernisation which includes Equality & Diversity, Emma Leighton-Jones said: “LGBT History Month is important for commemorating individual losses and celebrating collective achievements.
"It is a festival of equality, but sometimes events around the World act as a warning not to become too comfortable - we still see fierce hostility and acts of hatred around the World, as well as tangible obstructions to LGBT rights.
"In eliminating prejudice, education is paramount and an aim of LGBT History month is to ‘educate out prejudice’ whilst ‘celebrating the diversity of society as a whole’.
"Our schools and allies play a major part in providing help and advice to our young people. Is there more to do in modern society? Yes, and we can all play a greater part by being visible and communicating the importance of diversity.
"We can share experiences, whether it be a blog on what LGBT History Month means or sharing role models and their stories. We can be interested and attentive and attend sessions on LGBT History Month, taking part in its webinars, ensure mentoring programmes are available and learn something new. We all have a role to play in creating a more diverse society.”
