Celebrating LGBT+ History Month 2023

We’re flying the inclusive rainbow flag from Hove and Brighton Town Halls for February’s LGBT+ History Month, celebrating LGBT+ lives in their full diversity.

The theme this year is ‘Behind the Lens’, celebrating LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens.

It encourages everyone to look ‘Behind the Lens’ and listen to LGBT+ peoples’ lived experience.

The Identity Project - Portrait of a Community exhibition

  • Monday 6 to Saturday 25 February, Jubilee Library window gallery

In keeping with the theme, the council’s LGBTQ Workers Forum is proud to sponsor, support and feature in the award-winning Identity Project exhibition.

Identity is a large scale portrait exhibition by award-winning British photographer and Brighton & Hove resident Chris Jepson exploring what it means to identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community today.

Chris’s work has an international reputation, and they have worked across LGBTQ+ spaces for 30 years, capturing insights into life lived authentically across a range of spaces, protests, clubs, media, daily life, performance, and his deeply personal invitation for people to take part in the ever-growing Identity Project.

Each portrait shares what the subject feels important to them, along with a short statement about their identity, every person treated the same, the similarity of the medium allowing the shear breadth of diversity to shine through, exploring what it means to be trans, bisexual, lesbian, gay, queer, nonbinary or a host of other ways of being in our contemporary society.

Some members of the LGBTQ+ Workers Forum are part of the series of portraits, adding their own intersectional beings to the wealth of Proud Identities on show in this fascinating honest exhibition.

The exhibition features 84 portraits of the diverse faces of the people of Brighton & Hove’s LGBTQ+ community, on display and free to view in the windows and inside Jubilee Library throughout February.

The collection aims to challenge the stereotypes and assumptions of perceived identity and hopes to give visibility to marginalised LGBTQ+ people through promoting a diverse and inclusive community.

Reading for LGBT+ History Month

Libraries will have specially curated stock displays throughout the month. Pop into your local library to take a look and borrow a book, there’s something for all ages.

You can also browse the online Brighton & Hove Library catalogue to see our carefully selected collections to borrow, or download an eBook or eAudiobook from BorrowBox.

LGBT+ History Month events at Brighton & Hove libraries

Our libraries are hosting a programme of cultural activities through the month, curated in partnership with The Ledward Centre, Early Childhood Project, Socially Engaged Art Salon (SEAS) and Queer Heritage South/Queer in Brighton.

Events have been made possible with funding from the Brighton & Hove Libraries Legacy Fund which is managed by Sussex Community Foundation.

Portraits of Wisdom photographic exhibition

  • Monday 30 January to Saturday 11 February, Jubilee Library foyer gallery

This exhibition is a joint project between The Ledward Centre, their Older LGBTQ+ Persons meet up group and photographer Stella Michaels.

Early Childhood Project play event for families

  • Sunday 12 February 11am to 3pm, Jubilee Library children’s area

Come and join us for this free drop-in session to weave a rainbow, colour flags, make bunting, design badges and showing off your playdough families!

Then settle down with a book and good story, all brought to you by the Early Childhood Project.

Our Spaces: Queerness & Nightlife

  • 11am to 3pm, Saturday 18 February, Jubilee Library main hall

Join the Socially Engaged Art Salon (SEAS) in celebrating LGBT+ History Month with poetry reading hosted by drag queen Alex Fincher. Drop in to hear LGBTQ, Bipoc Poets reading their original poems about partying, going out and dancing.

Take part in a silent disco, hosted by Reyseb Trajano, featuring a specially selected LGBTQ+ play list. You’ll be guided to dance your way from Jubilee Library through The Ledward Centre to see the exhibition ‘Our Spaces: Queerness & Nightlife & Brighton’ and back again.

Free, open to all. Drop-in on the day or book in advance to secure your silent disco space through the Our Spaces: Queerness & Nightlife event listing on Eventbrite.

Sunday afternoon film screening

  • 2pm, Sunday 19 February, Jubilee Library conference room

We continue our season of Sunday afternoon films with a specially chosen classic musical fantasy suitable for all ages. Free to drop-in.

Brighton LGBTIQ+ History Club: Library Edition

  • 2.30 to 4.30pm, Sunday 26 February, Jubilee Library community space

Brighton LGBTIQ+ History Club returns for its first event of 2023 to celebrate LGBT+ History Month and explore all things queers and books!

Join us to explore, and discuss books and libraries, and the spaces the queer community has claimed and inhabited.

The event is free but spaces are limited, so we’d advise booking your space in advance via the Brighton LGBTIQ+ History Club event listing Eventbrite.

Storytime

Throughout February, libraries are sharing stories that promote equality and celebrate diversity at their regular storytime sessions for pre-school children and their families.

Join us every Monday at Jubilee and every Wednesday at Hove Library. All the free drop-in sessions start at 10.15am.

Celebrating diverse lives

Councillor Steph Powell, co-chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee, said: “LGBT+ History Month is an important event to celebrate the diverse lives of LGBTQ+ people, promote tolerance and raise awareness of the prejudices still faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

“There are some fantastic events on across the city and I hope everyone has a chance to take part. Thank you to everyone involved in setting up LGBT+ History Month activities and keep these important messages in the spotlight.

“Brighton & Hove is a welcoming and open city. We support all our diverse communities, including our faith, BME, LGBT+ and disabled communities.”

“We will continue to work collaboratively with our community groups bringing people together, building tolerance and standing against hate wherever we find it.”