LGBT+ History Month 2023

LGBT+ History Month (LGBTHM) is an annual celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans community, its history, struggle, and culture. LGBTHM runs throughout February, with events taking place across the University, city and country. Below is the programme of events that took place here at the University of Liverpool and around the city. To have a look at further local or national events visit the LGBTHM Calendar website.

Exhibition: LGBT Histories of the University of Liverpool

Online resource showcasing the events, stories and developments of LGBT issues here at the University.
Heart on wall in pride colours

LGBT+ Rights: Past, Present and Future with Professor Nicola Barker

The Guild is delighted to welcome Professor Nicola Barker from the University for this free event which is part of the Guild’s LGBT+ History Month 2023 celebrations. 8 February, 1.30-3pm
Flag Trans

Deconstructing Transphobia: On Inclusivity in Activist Spaces

A workshop exploring inclusive language, practices, and allyship with transgender and gender non-conforming people and communities. 22 February, 11am-12pm
UOL at Pride Liverpool

LGBTQIA+ Staff Network

Read about our LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, open to all staff and postgraduates within the University who identify as being a member of a minority with respect to sexuality and/or gender.

WATCH: LGBT+ Inclusion in Football: A Panel Debate

Rainbow Laces

Sport Liverpool are marking the month by asking staff and students to wear rainbow laces from 13-19 February. Click here to get your own rainbow laces and share your photos online with us @LivUni or @SportLiverpool using the hashtags #LivUniLGBTplus and #RainbowLaces.

Front covers of Fledgling (2005), A Song for a New Day (2020) and Exquisite Corpse (1996).

Stranger Loves: LGBTQ+ Science Fiction Workshop

Artist Louise Waller will lead a workshop exploring LGBTQ+ themes and imagery found in the University’s Science Fiction Hub – the largest catalogued collection of science fiction in Europe. 21 February, Leggate Lecture Theatre, Victoria Gallery & Museum

Heart on wall in pride colours

What Pride means to us

From Pride Month 2022, read about what Pride means to our students and staff.
Cinema seats

Film Screening: The Fruit Machine (1988)

Join us for nibbles and drinks as we screen The Fruit Machine (1988), filmed on location in and around Liverpool. Featuring an introduction by by Gary Needham. 24th February, 5pm.

Exhibitions and Displays

Podcasts and Recordings

LGBT Football 2

‘Football’s Coming Out: The Roadmap’

WATCH: University Teacher Kieran Maguire contributes to this Channel 4 programme.
GenderSpace logo

Podcast with Christian Owens (GenderSpace)

Listen to this Academy Developing Practice podcast with GenderSpace founder, Christian Owens, discussing how to support Trans* individuals.

April Ashley Graduation

April Ashley Honorary Degree

April Ashley MBE was awarded an Honorary Degree of Laws by the University of Liverpool in 2016. Watch her introduction and acceptance speech.
Flag Trans

Developing Practice Podcast: Episode – Transgender Awareness and Inclusion

In this podcast we chat with Christian Owens, Founder of GenderSpace, about transgender awareness and inclusion.

Training Sessions

Liverpool LGBT Histories

Our Stories Gay

Our Stories: Memories of Gay Liverpool

Uncover the voices of Liverpool's LGBT community through the 20th Century from the people that were there (2009).
Our Stories Trans

Our Stories: Oral Histories from members of the Trans* community

Uncover the voices of Liverpool's Trans* community through the 20th Century from the people that were there (2013).

Pink: Past and Present

Watch this award-winning feature length documentary film which explores the rich, vibrant and often turbulent history of Liverpool’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (2012).

LGBTQIA+ Resources

Blogs and News 2022

Making a stand against LGBTQ+ ‘conversion therapy’

In December, Liverpool School of Medicine was proud to add its name to a UK Medical Schools Charter against LGBTQ+ ‘Conversion Therapy’.

Why Asexual Representation Matters

History student, Matt Kelly explores asexual representation in the media and why it needs to improve.

Books to read for the celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month

Film Studies student, Vivien Kasa shares the books she will be reading to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month.

Normalising Queer Representation in Archaeology

Charlotte Bell explore how Queer Theory can be applied to the study of Archaeology.

Northern Ireland's LGBT Achievements: Politics, Film, Music and Arts/Entertainment

Northern Ireland has much to be proud of in achieving equality for LGBT people and representing LGBT+ themes on a world stage, ranging from politics to popular culture including film, music and arts/entertainment.

Linda Stein: Gender and Sexuality in Art

This blog recognises the work of the American artist Linda Stein, and the influences upon her art having grown up during the time of LGBTQ+ struggles.

Blogs and Zines 2021

Find here blogs and zines from 2021 about LGBT History.

Sex and 'Sexuality' in South Asian History

"While the British justified the conquest and colonisation of a quarter of the world’s population on the grounds that they were bringing the ‘rule of law’ to peoples who had none, in reality they superimposed an alien legal system upon often complex pre-existing legal norms..." by Emily Kearon-Warrilow.

Villains and Queer Cinema

"As a bisexual Film Studies student, it is brilliant to see representation for LGBTQ+ people slowly trickle into mainstream media. However, it can be argued that the representation of queer characters has existed before, and in a very odd place; Disney Villains..." by Harriet Bell.
April Ashley

Using our archives - hidden stories from LGBT history

"Masters student and archivist, Emma Cummings, reflects on how archives and collections can act as an important part of highlighting hidden stories from LGBT history ..." by Emma Cummings

Special Collections & Archives LGBTHM

"In 1957 the ‘Committee on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution’ published the Wolfenden Report, which recommended that male homosexuality should be decriminalised. However, it took another 10 years of public debate ..." by Darren Mooney.

Where are all the Trans People in History?

"Many trans people, myself included, wonder why we never learn about all of the amazing transgender people in history. Of course, being trans is not all there is to know about me, but it's still something I’m very proud of and that I continue to engage with ..." by Holly Kelly

Pride in Sociology

"Historically, sociology has had something of a mixed record in relation to sexuality as a social division. Born out of a desire to analyse social change ... the founding fathers of the discipline ... would have considered sexuality as something purely biological and individual ..." by Dr Mike Homfray.
Blog Turing

Alan Turing - Father of Computer Science

"Alan Turing was born in 1912. He was an English mathematician, Computer Scientist and Cryptanalyst. Many considered him the 'founder of computing science'. Turing was charged with gross indecency in the early 1950's, when a break in at his house led to the police being called ..."
Queer Students of Architecture

Queer Students of Architecture LGBTHM Zine

Read the first issues of the QSofA Zine with a focus on "your favourite queer space" for LGBTHM.

Sexuality in the Past: Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep

"The 5th Dynasty tomb of Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep, located in Saqqara, has been subject to much debate amongst Egyptologists, namely concerning what the relationship was between these two figures who share a tomb ..." by Tamar Atkinson.

Out and proud - the legacy of the Gay Liberation Front

"The Gay Liberation Front (GLF) originated in America, with the famous Stonewall Riots on 27 June 1969 and leading figures such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. By 1970, the idea had been brought over to the London School of Economics..." by Timothy Thompson.
LGBT Logo

Five works of fiction to read to explore LGBT+ history

Library Assistant, Mike Holloway, has chosen five LGBT+ works of fiction all available to borrow from the Library. Read to find out more.

Privy Council Hearings on Same-Sex Marriage in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands

"The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is hearing two historic cases relating to same-sex marriage from the British Overseas Territories of Bermuda and the Cayman Islands ..." by Prof Nicola Barker.
Sophie Green's Sheroe artwork including Marsha P Johnson, Kate Bornstein and Laverne Cox

BLOG: Sophie's Sheroes

Trans artist Sophie Green reflects on her 2017 exhibition in the VGM.
Front covers of Fledgling (2005), A Song for a New Day (2020) and Exquisite Corpse (1996).

BLOG: Stranger Loves: a Brief History of LGBTQ+ Science Fiction

A history of LGBTQ+ themes in science fiction.

Lady Phyll – Grasping at the root: the fight for Black queer equality

As a Black lesbian woman, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah has gained widespread recognition and awards for her activism promoting unity, raising issues within the Black LGBTQ+ community, and stressing the importance of intersectionality.

Peter Tatchell – Because We Exist: What’s Next for LGBTQIA+ Human Rights?

Peter Tatchell started his activism in the early 70s as a pioneer for the Gay Liberation Front. His experience and understanding of LGBTQIA+ human rights in the UK made this event a key opportunity to engage with the LGBTQIA+ community.

Queer Bodies, featuring Joelle Taylor

Queer Bodies Collective joined WoWFest to ignite passion, inspire action and challenge the taboo in an event that is important, particularly for students, in the heat of our current political climate.

Events in the City

Heart on wall in pride colours

LGBTQ+ History Month at National Museums Liverpool

Uniting people online for a celebration of LGBTQ+ histories and individuals. Delve into insightful interviews and opinion pieces inspired by NML’s rich collections and commitment to sharing the experiences of Liverpool’s long and diverse LGBTQ+ history.

Heart on wall in pride colours

Eventbrite

Find other events and activities happening in and around Liverpool. Please note that this is an external link with events collated from listings on Eventbrite and is not associated with the University.