By Isabelle Truscott
KNOWING about our history is really important, and even more so for the LGBTQ+ community.
For a long time our stories weren’t told, and our successes were kept out of view.
But thanks to LGBTQ+ History Month, these stories are brought into the present and celebrated.
First celebrated in 2005 after being created by Schools OUT co-chairs, Paul Patrick and Sue Sanders, LGBTQ+ History month is marked every February in the UK.
As part of LGBTQ+ History Month we asked our members what this month means to them.
Some see the celebration as “essential” for society.
Ali Saiedi said: “LGBTQ+ History Month is essential for the future of our society because it teaches young people the importance of LGBTQ+ people in our history and how some of the key people, and some of the biggest inventions, the biggest moments and achievements were queer people, so they grow up with a positive view of our community.
Saiedi added that the month also removes the white washing of LGBTQ+ history and notes people who were “removed, discredited or criminalised due to their sexuality” such as Alan Turing and Oscar Wilde.
“The same applies to Black History Month,” Saiedi added.
Saraya Haddad shared that LGBTQ+ History Month is an opportunity for “reclaiming history”.
Others, however, say the month doesn’t mean much to them, and believe that some stories have been “retrofitted” into history.
Michael Butler told us: “As an older gay man, 58, I feel as if somethings are being retrofitted into an LGBT+ history that, when growing up in East London in the 1970s, had little or no impact, or simply did not exist.
“It is only being recognised now due to those that make what are often tenuous links to individuals and events.
“Those things having never been talked about or recorded at the time.”
LGBTQ+ Journalism Network founder Sophie Perry, however, feels the month is important for recognising and celebrating members of the LGBTQ+ community who are often forgotten.
“The LGBTQ+ community has been here for as long as time itself and throughout history we have contributed so much – but often not given the credit.
“LGBT+ History Month is a great opportunity to celebrate our shared history as well as educate and inspire future generations.”
We are still discovering more of our own history. Members of our community are finally being recognised for their invaluable contributions not only for some of the liberties we enjoy now, but many excelled in their own fields, showing that a person does not have to be limited by their sexual or gender identity in order to be of value in this world.
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