No don't worry it is not yet February, which everyone knows is Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender History Month. The pre launch event is always held in November and traditionally at the HQ of whichever organisation is sponsoring it that year and where that organisation's line of work will be the prevailing theme. This year, rather appropriately, it is at the British Museum and is dealing a lot with themes of history.
As a historian myself, I always find LGBT History Month fascinating, but it also holds out an important political purpose, particularly in this era of mounting homophobic violence, in indicating the oppression which existed in the past and how it was overcome. Also with the rise of the BNP and its kindred Fascist groupings across Europe, never has there been more need for a good history lesson.
Many organisations will have stands at the pre launch event this Thursday including Gay's the Word bookshop, Manchester Military Pride (who ran a fascinating exhibition in the Imperial War Museum North) University of Brighton 'Count me in' and the ever revealing Hall Carpenter Archives.
The speakers at the event will include Michael Cashman MEP, Ben Bradshaw, Secretary of State for Culture and Sport, Trevor Philips of the Equalities and Human Rights and Commission and many others from LGBT Forums in Camden and further afield.
Keep an eye out for the programme of events in your area this February. Further details here. And if your Council is not organising anything - ask them why not.
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