Claiming our past. Celebrating our present. Creating our future. 

2023 brings us to the eighteenth celebration of LGBT+ History Month. After founding LGBT+ History Month in 2004, Schools OUT have created a theme for the month. This year the theme is #BehindTheLens which celebrates the contributions of the LGBT+ community to cinema and film from behind the lens. This being anyone who has contributed behind the scenes, directors, cinematographers, screenwriters, producers, animators, costume designers, special effects, makeup artists, lighting directors, musicians, choreographers and everyone else who has helped. 

Claiming Our Past

After founding LGBT+ History Month in 2004, Paul Patrick and Sue Sanders, the two co-chairs of Schools OUT created a theme each month to run alongside the celebration of the event. In 2005, the UK became the first country to celebrate LGBT+ History Month, starting the journey towards a more inclusive world. Every February in the United Kingdom, the LGBT+ History Month event celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and non-binary history and their rights as well as raising awareness of prejudices. 

Through the years, the LGBT+ community has celebrated many victories for equal rights and fighting prejudices. In 2013, a well-overdue victory was celebrated with the passing of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act which allowed couples of the same sex to enter into a marriage.

Celebrating Our Present

The LGBT+ community in the United Kingdom has made great strides towards achieving equality and combating prejudices. In 2023, a 2021 census in England and Wales revealed that 1.5 million people over the age of sixteen now identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or another sexual orientation. The census also revealed that 262,000 people over the age of sixteen do not identify as the same gender that they were registered with at birth. 

Over the years we have seen an increase in the number of people who feel comfortable expressing their true selves and loving who they truly love. Since 2019, the percentage of the UK population aged 16 years and over that identifies as lesbian, gay, or bisexual has increased from 2.7% to 3.1% in 2020. 

Creating Our Future

In 2020, PSHE became a mandatory part of the curriculum in England and Wales in Primary schools leading the way towards a more inclusive education system. 

With an inclusive curriculum in England and Wales, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) aims to teach children about different relationships, sexual education, and health education with an inclusive and sensitive approach. The goals of the subject are to improve the physical and psychological well-being of children and remove barriers to learning.

When we were growing up the subject of sexuality and identity were taboo subjects which meant many of us felt excluded or that we didn’t belong. The move towards inclusive learning provides a path for children to explore that identity and sexuality in a safe and informed way. 

Transgender Resources and Contacts 

Whether you’re transgender or a transgender ally, it’s so important to know there are many options out there for you in terms of online resources. We have gathered transgender resources and contacts to help anyone who needs them here. 

Useful Links: 

• LGBT+ History Month 2023: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history-month-2023/ 
• PSHE: https://pshe-association.org.uk/what-is-pshe-education 
• UK Government: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2023-0022/
• OTL Resources

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