Today is the beginning of LGBT History Month. It’s a month dedicated to promoting equality and diversity through increasing the visibility of LGBT people and their lives and history; and campaigning for better education, environments and welfare for LGBT people.
Last year LGBT History Month focused on citizenship, and commemorated 50 years since the (partial) decriminalisation of male homosexuality in England and Wales. However this year coincides with 30 years since the passing of Section 28 — a piece of legislation from the Thatcher government which prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities — and also 40 years since the murder of Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay councillor in the USA.
The treatment of LGBT people has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years — with the passing of same sex marriage, and more visibility for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people than ever before.
But there is a lot more to do — as the community will surely be exploring this month. For our part, we’ll be featuring the art of the LGBT community and movement (much like our Art of the Civil Rights piece).
For more information on LGBT history check out this fantastic timeline from Stonewall.
