As LGBT+ History Month comes to a close, it’s important to reflect back on its significance – whilst acknowledging that awareness of LGBT+ history and the movement towards greater equality should be something commemorated throughout the rest of the year too.
Some may question the necessity of this month when Pride Month is something that is equally, if not more heavily, celebrated. However, each month has different origins and purposes, and are of equal importance.
Pride Month is celebrated in June as tribute to the Stonewall riots of June 1969. These riots are widely viewed as a landmark for the progress of the gay liberation movement. Commemorating the legacy of the riots highlights the actions of certain individuals as well as the movement as a whole, giving greater visibility to LGBT+ people.
The event is commemorated in style, with celebrations often culminating in colourful parades.
The occasion has cultivated great popularity, with the 2019 London Pride attracting around 1.5 million people, in comparison to the 2,000 people who attended the first Pride in 1972.
Observation of LGBT+ History Month, on the other hand, takes place during different months depending on the country. The UK and Hungary both commemorate it in February, while the US, Canada and Australia all celebrate it during October. The reason for this is due to historical context. America’s History Month was established in 1994 by a Missouri school teacher and coincides with their National Coming Out Day, on the 11th of October, as well as the marches on Washington for LGBT rights in 1979 and 1987. The event was soon endorsed by many national organisations, with the likes of the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, founded in 1985).
The UK’s celebrations began later in 2005 following the initiative of an LGBT+ education charity, Schools OUT UK. It’s occurrence in February as opposed to October coincides with the abolition of Section 28 and the introduction of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations in 2003. Section 28 was legislation introduced under Thatcher’s government that prohibited ‘promoting homosexuality by teaching or publishing material’.
The abolition of Section 28, alongside the introduction of the 2003 Regulations that prohibited employers from discriminating against employees on grounds of sexual orientation, religion or belief and age, were landslide moments for the LGBT+ community.
While Pride Month revolves around the celebration of the movement as a whole and all the progress that has been made, History Month has a much deeper focus on education. Reflecting upon all that is incorporated under LGBT+ history as well as teaching it to future generations allows for us to remember both how we got such rights and those who still remain without rights.
Sixty-nine countries still have laws criminalising homosexuality and the UK itself decriminalised homosexuality in 1967, and so still recent enough to be in the memories of some people. Further exploring LGBT+ histories also allows for us to teach histories that were never previously taught, presenting a more representative and accurate depiction of the past. This also gives the opportunity for LGBT+ children to see themselves within history, providing greater acceptance.
Raising awareness of LGBT+ history is therefore a task of great significance. While Pride Month holds weight in being a joyful celebration of love and acceptance and in remembering the actions of those during the Stonewall Uprising, LGBT+ History Month provides us with time to delve deeper.
Whether you’re simply interested in learning about histories previously unlearnt or find comfort in seeing the histories of those you relate to gain greater visibility, it is an event that should not be dismissed as without purpose.