Recognising the creativity, imagination and innovation of LGBTQ+ creators throughout history
LGBT+ History Month is celebrated in February in the UK. This year’s theme Arts and Politics - “The Arc is Long” is inspired by a Martin Luther King quote:
‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.’
The quote is thought to mean that although it is taking a long time, we are curving/moving towards social justice and fairness.
This theme provides us with the opportunity to explore the idea of social justice and changing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people. While we have come a long way in terms of inclusion and attitudes towards same gender relationships and equal marriage, there is still a great deal of work that can happen in terms of positive trans (including non-binary) representation and inclusion.
Listed below are some amazing resources to help you celebrate LGBT+ History Month along with a list of support services across the North West and nationally.
Support services
Included below is a list of services which signpost to sources of wider support. This list is not exhaustive and we welcome any groups or services that we are missing via [email protected].
In the North West
African Rainbow Family - Support for LGBTIQ people of African heritage and the wider Black and Asian Minority Ethnic groups.
akt - Support for LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 in the uk who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.
BiPhoria - Open to people from all walks of life and to those who are bi curious or discreet about their sexual orientation as well as those who are comfortably "out".
Colours Youth Network - Uplifts, supports and empowers young people of colour who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex (QTIPOC) aged 16-25.
GYRO- LGBTQ+ Youth (YPAS) - If you are a child or young person in crisis, you can call the crisis care line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Rainbow Noir – a support group for queer people of colour in Manchester.
The Proud Trust - Support for LGBT+ young people through youth groups, peer support, mentoring programs and the Proud Connections chat service.
UR Potential - Support groups for LGBT+ young people, where you can be involved in a range of social, political & educational activities or you can just come for a chat and make new friends.
Youth TAGS - A friendly and supportive group for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Questioning) young people between 11 - 16 years old.
National services
LGBT Foundation - LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
Mermaids - Supporting transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families since 1995.
MindOut - A mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people.
Sahir House - Free and confidential to people living with or affected by HIV on Merseyside.
Stonewall - At Stonewall, we stand for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQ+) people everywhere. We imagine a world where all LGBTQ+ people are free to be themselves and we can live our lives to the full.
Terrence Higgins Trust - The UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity. We support people living with HIV and amplify their voices, and help the people using our services to achieve good sexual health.
Workplace training
Mermaids - Empowering professionals, through increased knowledge and resources, to create a LGBTQ+ inclusive ethos. Equipping professionals with the most up to date and relevant information, enabling them to be confident in supporting the gender diverse community and embracing all members of the LGBTQ+ population within their organisation.
The Proud Trust - All of our training is interactive and discussion based. This means that whatever your starting point, we are confident that you will take away practical and achievable LGBT+ inclusion ideas and actions that are appropriate for your staff, your communities, and of course, your children and young people.
YouthForia (YOFO)
At this month's YOFO, young people from across the North West will come together to shine a light on LGBTQ+ icons, explore LGBT+ History Month, and hear from the incredible Colours Youth Network, the Proud Trust and Comics Youth CIC.
