LGBT+ History Month

LGBT+ History Month
30 January 2024
Jordan Hurst, Deputy diversity coordinator, Insurance Institute of Manchester explores the background and history of LGBT+ history month, explains the theme for the year 2024 and what your organisation can do to raise awareness; and what employers can do to help their employees.
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LGBT+ history month is celebrated yearly in February across the UK. Originally founded in 2004 by Schools OUT UK, one of its aims is to explore the origins of LGBT+ people’s history. The event was founded to coincide with the abolition of Section 28, a law passed in 1988 "promoting the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship."  

Each year, a different theme is chosen and free resources provided for the event. This year, the theme of medicine has been chosen to highlight the courageous work done by LGBT+ people in this area, as well as highlight the inequalities LGBT+ people have faced regarding healthcare in the past and even up to the present day. You can follow the hashtag #UnderTheScope to keep up to date with events for the month.   

The month is so important to members of the LGBT+ community (the community) as it allows their history to be celebrated, as well as giving people the opportunity and awareness to educate themselves regarding LGBT+ history. In addition, it allows us to reflect on what is happening worldwide, as the fight for LGBT+ rights is still far from over.  

From an organisation perspective, the month is about promoting LGBT+ awareness and creating safe spaces to allow LGBT+ employees to be able to be themselves. Organisational culture is key to this, not just in the month of February, but every month and by implementing some simple, yet strong, policies and allyship with the community, it will help promote inclusion not exclusion. Some examples: 

  • Create LGBT+ networks within your workplace and provide time and space for them to meet 

  • Promote diversity and inclusion training of employees in your organisation. 

  • Speak to your local Insurance Institute for help and guidance on Diversity & Inclusion, who can provide a toolkit, created by the CII, to help on this important subject. 

Link Up North, the LGBTQ+ insurance network, are in the process of organising a guided walk around Manchester City centre highlighting LGBTQ+ areas of interest and history. Please save the date of 22 February 2024 in your calendar and watch out for further updates on the event on their website (listed below).  

Sources 

Institute contact details  

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