LGBT+ History Month Events
LGBT+ History Month: February 2023
Behind the Lens LGBT+ History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bi+, trans*, queer and intersex history, including the history of LGBTQI+ rights and related civil right movements. In the United Kingdom, it is celebrated in February each year, to coincide with the 2003 abolition of Section 28. The national theme for this year is ‘Behind the Lens’ which aims to highlight the hard work and numerous contributions made by people of the LGBTQI+ community to the production of film and TV programs and we welcome students and staff members to join in with our events and conversations.
To mark LGBT+ History Month, the Rainbow Pride Flag will be flown outside St Paul’s Hall for the entirety of February.
‘Behind the Lens’ LGBTQI+ Identity Photo Exhibition
Monday 6th February – Wednesday 28th February
Bath House Galleries, Sovereign Design House (Toast House)
LGBT+ History Month and in the spirit of the theme ‘Behind the Lens’ there will be an exhibition which showcases a selection of photos and imagery taken or created by our staff, students and alumni who identify with, or have a connection to, the LGBTQI+ community.
It’s not too late! If you would like to be part of the exhibition you can email lgbt@hud.ac.uk before the end of Wednesday 1st February with your chosen image and a brief description to go alongside it.
The Bath House Galleries are open Monday-Friday 8am-3pm.
What’s on Wednesdays: LGBT+ History Month Badge Making Workshop
Wednesday 8th February 12:00pm-4:00pm
Outside the Students’ Union Shop, Floor 4, Student Central
Pride, Pins and Protests!
A workshop inspired by queer activism, visibility, and creativity! Celebrate LGBT+ History Month by heading over to the Students’ Union to create your own badge!
Badges and pins have a long history for being popular vehicles for broadcasting your passions and play a pivotal role in political and liberation movements, including LGBT+ Pride. This workshop allows you to take home your own little piece of activism. Create badges featuring Pride flags, pronouns, or take inspiration from badges that were used as part of promoting LGBT+ campaigns throughout history.
This session is open to everyone, no bookings necessary.
Building Anti Racist LGBT+ Spaces
Thursday 9th February 1:15pm -2:45pm
Online Event (Zoom)
'Building Anti-Racist LGBT+ Spaces' is an introductory talk which aims to confront one of the major inter-community issues facing LGBT+ spaces in the UK: racism. Developed from a place of both professional and lived experience, this session will explore the material realities faced by queer people of colour (QPOC) in the UK and especially in Higher Education. The talk will not only describe but contextualise these experiences, and challenge us to think about how we can commit to anti-racism as an ongoing practice, in HE and beyond.
Classical Music and Queer History at Heritage Quay
Thursday 16th February 1:00pm-1:30pm
Heritage Quay, Floor 3, Schwann Building
Join Heritage Quay’s Public Engagement Assistant Megan Barford for an LGBT+ History Month tour of the current Heritage Quay exhibition. Learn about queer composers and performers from the archive, and about Heritage Quay’s work to ensure better representation of LGBTQIA+ voices in the collections in future.
This session is open to everyone, no bookings necessary.
HIV Testing and Information Session with The Brunswick Centre
Tuesday 21st February 12:00pm-2:00pm
CSG/23, Ground Floor, Charles Sykes Building
Over 105,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
The HIV and AIDS epidemic are a significant and important part of LGBT+ history. Since the 1980s, the LGBT+ community has fought long and hard to ensure that those living with HIV can access treatment and live dignified lives. However, the stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.
Anne Glew from The Brunswick Centre will be coming in to talk about HIV prevention, bust some HIV myths and offer tests. There will be HIV tests taking place so please be aware if you are sensitive to needles and blood.
Anne Glew is an experienced Sexual Health Worker, and all HIV tests/information will be delivered discretely and confidentially. Visit HIV Support for more information.
This session is open to everyone, no bookings necessary.
LGBT+ History Month Pudding Club
Thursday 23rd February 12:00pm-2:00pm
International Kitchen, Floor 4, Student Central
Need an extra excuse to treat yourself to some cake and custard? Pudding Club on 23rd February will be LGBT+ History Month themed, with the opportunity to donate to local HIV support and LGBTQ+ youth charity, The Brunswick Centre! Join us at International Kitchen and indulge for a good cause!
Please note donations will be cash only, so don’t forget your change!
LGBT+ History Month Book Club: Young Mungo
Friday 24th March 12:00pm-1:30pm
Online (Teams)
Content warning: Themes of physical, emotional, and sexual assault.
‘Imbuing the everyday world of its characters with rich lyricism, Douglas Stuart's Young Mungo is a gripping and revealing story about the meaning of masculinity, the push and pull of family, the violence faced by so many queer people, and the dangers of loving someone too much.’
Hosted by the LGBTQI+ Staff Network, this book club is open to everyone at the University, as an opportunity to share, learn and celebrate LGBT+ History Month. This will be an opportunity to acknowledge and highlight some of the intersectional challenges that some may face on the basis of religion, class, and sexuality.
Please contact Lauren Minto for booking details.
LGBTQI+ Staff Network
The University of Huddersfield’s Lesbian, Gay, Bi+, Trans*, Queer and Intersex + (LGBTQI+) Staff Network was set up in April 2018. To find out more about this network including future meeting dates, please email lgbt@hud.ac.uk or please feel free to contact LGBTQI+ Network Co Chairs Carson McCombe and Lauren Minto.