LGBT History Month aims to draw attention to both the past and the present state of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights, as well as the impact LGBT people have had throughout history. •This month aims to raise awareness of LGBT issues and also create a more open and accepting environment. •LGBT History Month was first organised in 2005 by Schools OUT (a group promoting equality for LGBT people in education) to celebrate the repeal of a government act known as Section 28.

2. What is LGBT history month?
• For the people that may not be aware, LGBT History Month aims to
draw attention to both the past and the present state of LGBT
(lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights, as well as the impact
LGBT people have had throughout history.
• This month aims to raise awareness of LGBT issues and also create
a more open and accepting environment, rather than leaving this to
be a undiscussed topic.
• LGBT History Month was first organised in 2005 by Schools OUT (a
group promoting equality for LGBT people in education) to
celebrate the repeal of a government act known as Section 28.

3. The theme of LGBT History Month 2016 is
Religion
Belief
Philosophy
Do you stand up
for what YOU
believe in?

4. The rainbow flag has long been a symbol of
hope and peace. It has been embraced by the
LGBT community to symbolise their
movement. The colours represent diversity.

5. Legal Equality
• Section 28 was enacted in 1988 by the Conservative government. The Act covered “Prohibition on
promoting homosexuality by teaching or by publishing material” This created an environment where
people especially teachers felt they could not talk about LGBT issues. It also meant some groups within
schools were shut down. This act was repealed in 2003 under a Labour government.
• Homosexuality only became legal in Britain on the 5th of July 1967, homosexuality was only ever really
illegal for men though, as when it became illegal the monarch at the time (Queen Victoria) refused to
believe women could be homosexual.
• It was only in the year 2000 that lesbian and gay people were allowed to join the armed forces.
• The civil partnership act was passed in 2004 allowing same sex civil partnerships.
• Also in 2004 the gender recognition act was passed stating trans people could change their legal
gender.
• In 2013 the marriage of same sex couples was legalised.

6. Alan Turing
• Contributed significantly to the ending the second
world war. He cracked the enigma code and is
considered to be the inventor of the modern day
computer.
• Alan Turing was convicted of homosexual acts in
1952. When given the choice between prison or
oestrogen injections he chose the latter which is
suspected to have been the cause of his suicide by
cyanide in 1954 at the age of 41.

7. The Danish Girl
• Lili Elbe was one of the first people to have
undergone gender reassignment surgery.
• She was from Denmark and travelled to Germany for
the surgery even though it was experimental at the
time.
• Painting of Lili Elbe were created by Gerda Gottlieb
who before Lili came out was her wife.
• She died during her surgery in 1931 at the age of 49.

8. Peter Tatchell
• Peter Tatchell is a political campaigner for LGBT
issues.
• Peter has been particularly vocal about rights in
Zimbabwe.
• Tatchell founded a group called OutRage! Which
aims to give the same rights to LGB people as
heterosexual people.
• He was also a Labour candidate.

9. Other worthy mentions
Lionel Blue
Rabbi, journalist
and broadcaster.
First British Rabbi
to publicly affirm his
homosexual orientation.
Chris Smith
First out gay
and HIV
positive MP
Angela Eagle
First elected out
Lesbian MP
Tom Daley
Olympic diver
Announced
relationship with
man.
Cara Delevingne
Model, actress
and singer.
Bisexual
Yves Saint Laurent
Designer openly
gay.
Clare Balding
Lesbian
Sportswomen
and TV personality.
Sam smith
Gay Singer
Songwriter.
Miriam Margolis
Actress writer
and TV
personality.

10. Stand up if you believe….
In a fair world for all
people – including
lesbian, gay, bisexual
and trans people.
Whose job is it to
create a fair world?

11. Stand up if you believe….
This school is a safe place for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans
young people.
Who makes it that way?

12. Is it time YOU made a Leap of Faith?
Contact
to find your local
LGBT youth group