February is LGBT History Month 2018, the UK’s 4th annual celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender culture, the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.
The overall aim of LGBT History month is to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public. This is done by:
- Increasing the visibility of LGBT people, their history, lives and their experiences in the curriculum and culture of educational and other institutions, and the wider community;
- Raising awareness and advancing education on matters affecting the LGBT community;
- Working to make educational and other institutions safe spaces for all LGBT communities; and
- Promoting the welfare of LGBT people, by ensuring that the education system recognises and enables LGBT people to achieve their full potential, so they contribute fully to society and lead fulfilled lives, thus benefiting society as a whole.
Why not start by browsing our suggested 10 reads for LGBT Month! As always, let us know your reading experiences.
This year we will focus on ‘Geography: Mapping the World’, especially now that our friends in Australia will be able to enjoy same-sex weddings. LGBT History month provides the perfect time for Hampshire Pride, a festival to celebrate LGBT+ lifestyles across Hampshire and the social history of local LGBT campaigns, culture and personalities.
The month will see a range of events, talks, exhibitions and much more. Get involved and celebrate LGBT history month:
- Gender Identity and Trans Symposium at Winchester University – Friday 16th February
- Turnabout: The Story of Policing of Gay/Bisexual Men in England and Wales 1950-2010 – Petersfield Library – Wednesday 7th February
- Zoe Lyons Live – Winchester Discovery Centre – Saturday 10th February
- Straight Young British Men: Kissing, Cuddling and Loving each other – Basingstoke Discovery Centre – Wednesday 14th February
- Hampshire Pride Film Festival – The Cabinet Rooms, Winchester:
Weds 14 February – 7.30pm , Weds 21 February – 7.30pm, Sun 25 February – 11.00am - Keep Calm & Carry On: A Chaplain’s Tale – Farnborough Library – Saturday 17th February
- LGBT Britain (film screening) – Basingstoke Discovery Centre – Saturday 17th February
- The Big Day – Hampshire Pride March – Winchester (various locations) – Saturday 24th February
…and loads more! See Hampshire Pride’s ‘Dates for Your Diary’ for the complete details.
Whether it be attending a local event above, sharing the celebration through social media, viewing the annual LGBT History exhibition or taking part in a National Festival the choice is enormous! It’s never been easier to find out what your local community may be doing for LGBT month and getting involved!
At Hampshire Libraries we are particularly chuffed to welcome Zoe Lyons to Winchester Discovery Centre on Saturday 19th February at 8.00pm. Get your tickets while you can, there’s never been a better time to bring Zoe and her hilarious trademark high energy, brilliantly observed routines and sharply written material to Hampshire!
Want to join the Pride Party? Come along to Winchester on Saturday 24th February and join the march through Winchester and then let loose with street and pride parties. Here’s the plan for the day:
13:00 Assembly at the Winchester School of Art
14.00 Embark on the Parade through Winchester city centre
15.00 Indoor Street Festival and Market stalls at Hampshire County Council’s EII Court
19.30 Evening party at the University of Winchester Student Union!
Hampshire Libraries and Registration Services will have market stalls at the Street Festival so we can’t wait to see you there! #PrideHampshireWide #LGBTHM18
Hampshire Libraries 