February is LGBTQ+ History Month.
LGBTQ+ History Month is a celebration to provide education and insight into the issues that the LGBTQ+ community face by highlighting specific histories, important events and milestones, alongside the people that have made change possible.
The event originated in the wake of the 2003 abolition of Section 28: Local Government Act 1988 which banned local authorities from LGBT issues in schools, and left thousands of young people without the support they so badly needed.
The main aim is to inform people and teach younger people about the history of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer movements and to promote an inclusive modern society.
The theme for this year’s LGBT+ History Month this year is ‘Politics in Art'.
You can find out more on the LGBTQ+ History Month website.
LGBTQ+ History Month at Brighton & Hove libraries
'We are family' exhibition
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Jubilee Library main window Monday 31 January to Saturday 12 February
As far as time goes back, chosen family and community have been a firm part of queer culture.
While many face physical, mental and emotional challenges engaging with society on a daily basis at all ages, the collective experience of existing as a black queer and/or trans person in 2022 still remains complex.
With support of the Ledward Centre in Brighton, SEAS (Socially Engaged Art Saloon) will exhibit digital artists for the celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month in collaboration with curator, writer and art consultant Pacheanne Anderson.
The exhibition aims to depict imagery of queer relationships and interactions in different parts of the queer world centring on family and kinship.
The artists presenting works are Ashton Attz, Tolu Elusade, Gil Doron, Bernice Mulenga, Terrell Villiers, Queer King of Diamonds and Josef Cabey.
'An Alphabet of Queerness: A celebration of the personal made political' exhibition
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Jubilee Library main window Monday 14 January to Saturday 26 February
To celebrate this year’s LGBTQ History Month, Brighton & Hove City Council’s LGBTQ Worker’s Forum have curated an exhibition to look at how, for many LGBTQ+ people, their personal life has always been political.
We asked a group of Queer people across the city, all of whom have been involved in progressing equality for LGBTQ+, Queer, Trans and nonbinary communities to share with us an object, or set of objects created, made or collected by them during an act of activism over the last 50 years.
Together, they make 26 Objects of Quriosity. What makes an object Queer you may ask yourself? Well, the people we asked answered ‘We do. We make it queer.’
Enjoy this quirky, queer, quantifying, questioning querulous, quixotic, and downright Queer Alphabet, where we look at 26 ways the LGBTQ+ community have made their mark, drawn a line and said with a strong joined voice ‘It’s time for change.’
‘A Brief History of the Pride Flag’ Film
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Jubilee Library ground floor Tuesday 1 February to Monday 28 February during library opening hours
Pop in to view this informative and interesting history of the Pride Flag.
The film traces the origins and history of the Rainbow Pride Flag and was made during the January 2021 lockdown by a library staff member.
The Inclusive Rainbow Flag you can see hanging in the lightwell of Jubilee Library was adopted by Brighton & Hove City Council in 2019.
The bunting draped on the table where you can view the film includes a broader - but not exhaustive - range of examples of the rainbow pride flag designs.
The council adopted the Inclusive Rainbow Flag as:
- it includes all the various colours associated with the LGBTQ+ movements
- it recognises the struggles of BME communities and how they have influenced LGBQT rights movements
- it balances the intersections of different communities in one flag - BME, QTIPoC (queer, trans, and intersex people of colour), Trans & LGBTQ
Importantly, the flag is also a QTIPoC community group led project design.
Storytime for pre-school children and their families
Throughout February, we’re holding drop-in sessions for pre-school children and their families to listen to stories together promoting equality and celebrating diversity together.
The sessions are at Jubilee Library at:
- 10.15am every Tuesday and Thursday during term time
- 10.15am Wednesday 9 and 23 February
You can also choose a book to borrow and share at home from our great picture book collection. You can find some recommendations of picture books celebrating LGBT families from the BookTrust.
Drag Queen Storytime with Drag Queen Story Hour UK
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2pm to 3pm, Monday 14 February at the Jubilee children’s library. Free but booking tickets is essential!
Aida H Dee, The Storytime Drag Queen and author, will be reading you some fabulous stories in an exciting story time show, just for us!
Book your free tickets for the Drag Queen Storey Hour on Eventbrite.
Borrowing
Borrow fiction and non-fiction from our specially curated stock displays at Jubilee and Hove Libraries, delve into a book, find out about LGBT+ artists or immerse yourself in some LGBT+ poetry.
Check out our BorrowBox catalogue for more LGBTQI+ book suggestions and recommendations.
Supporting our communities
Councillor Steph Powell, co-chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee, said: “LGBTQ+ History Month is an important event to promote tolerance and raise awareness of the prejudices still faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
“I’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved in activities to mark the month and keep these important messages in the spotlight.
“Brighton & Hove is a welcoming, open city and we do not tolerate hate. We support all our diverse communities, including our faith, BME, LGBT+ and disabled communities.
“We continue to work collaboratively with our community groups bringing people together, building tolerance and standing against hate wherever we find it.”
