Today is the start of LGBT+ History Month, taking place every February in the UK. To celebrate LGBTQ+ lives in their full diversity, Brighton & Hove City Council will be flying the inclusive rainbow flags from Hove Town Hall, Brighton Town Hall and at Jubilee Library.
LGBT+ History Month provides education and insight into the issues that the LGBTQ+ community face by highlighting specific histories, important events and milestones, alongside the people that have made change possible.
This year’s theme, Under the Scope, celebrates the invaluable contribution of LGBTQ+ people to the field of medicine and healthcare both historically and today.
It aims to showcase the amazing work of LGBTQ+ staff across the NHS and other healthcare settings, especially during the pandemic, while shining a light on the history of the community’s complicated experience of receiving healthcare which has left LGBTQ+ people still facing health inequalities even today.
At a time when the LGBTQ+ community is experiencing a rise in hate crime we are also encouraged to look ‘Under the Scope’ and listen to LGBTQ+ peoples’ authentic lived experiences.
Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee, said: “I am very proud to support our city’s annual participation in celebrating the LGBTQ+ History Month and wish to thank all staff, community organisations and the wonderful artists, writers and historians who contributed to this year’s vibrant cultural offer.
“It’s especially exciting to be celebrating this occasion this year as we never had more LGBTQ+ visibility among elected members, making a mark on our city’s history books with the most diverse representation so far.
“For so long LGBTQ+ people’s history remained hidden, so it’s incredibly important to have a dedicated opportunity for our LGBTQ+ communities to share their rich and diverse history and reclaim their past.
“I invite everyone to come together and explore the captivating exhibitions our libraries prepared with their partners or participate in an event dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ history and art.”
Brighton & Hove libraries are hosting a rich programme of cultural activities through the month, curated in partnership with Queer Heritage South/Queer in Brighton, Socially Engaged Art Salon (SEAS) and urbanflo.
All events and exhibitions are free, but if you can donate, then £3 is suggested.
You can also visit your local library during February to discover specially curated LGBT+ History Month stock collections and displays.
Browse the online Brighton & Hove Library catalogue and choose a book to borrow, or an eBook to download with BorrowBox,.
Exhibitions
The Queer Beach: A mixed media exhibition curated by the Socially Engaged Art Salon
Monday, January 29 to Sunday, February 11 in Jubilee Library foyer gallery
The Queer Beach project explores the strong connection between queer people and culture and the seaside – between a fringe, sometimes marginal community, and this frontier space. It cruises to nearby beaches and sails to faraway places. The project features painting, collage, photography and film by 30 artists who were invited by SEAS or answered their open call.
You’ll be able to read newly commissioned writing by local historian Alf Le Flohic and author Helen Trevorrow or take a selfie as part of the California Dreaming interactive installation.
Works from the exhibition can be viewed on the SEAS website. This exhibition has been made possible with support of Brighton Rainbow Fund.
We’re here… exhibition
Monday, February 5 to Saturday, March 2 in Jubilee Library window gallery
Monday, February 12 to Saturday, March 2 in Jubilee Library foyer gallery
We’re Here… is a special portfolio of artwork, poetry and photography produced by LGBTQ+ creatives.
The exhibition brings together retrospective group collections from Writing Our Legacy, Otherwise Engaged and PRONOUNced, alongside new work by individuals from a cross-section of ages, nationalities, cultures, abilities and lived experiences – creatively presenting their personal perspectives.
Events
Saturday, February 3: The Queer Beach social gathering with the Socially Engaged Art Salon, 11.30am – 1pm, Jubilee Library foyer gallery and community space
Join SEAS for an introduction to The Queer Beach exhibition. Take part in a photoshoot at the California Dreaming installation where a professional photographer will take your photo on the imaginary sunny beach.
Authors Andreas Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos, Andrew Kay and will read from their books featuring the seaside. Readings will be followed by a Q&A when authors will discuss their ideal queer beach.
Free, drop in on the day.
Monday, February 12, 10am – 12pm: Love Makes a Family in Hove Library children’s area
Kick off your half term with Hove Library to celebrate all kinds of families. Draw or write about your family using family portrait templates, then take your portrait with you, or hang it up in the family gallery!
The family portrait resource will also be made available across all libraries during half term.
All ages welcome (children under 9 must be supervised). Free, drop in on the day.
Sunday, February 25, 2 – 4pm: Brighton LGBTIQ+ History Club: Neil Bartlett in conversation with Nathan Evans in Jubilee Library.
For their first event of 2024, Brighton LGBTIQ+ History Club is joined by New Writing South to celebrate LGBT+ History Month and all things queers and books! Join two very special guests – Neil Bartlett and Nathan Evans – as they take you on a journey through queer literature and queer history.
Spaces are limited, and always sell out. Book your ticket in advance on Ticketsource.
Film evenings with LGBTQ+ Workers Forum
To mark the LGBT+ History Month, Brighton & Hove City Council’s LGBTQ+ Workers Forum will be running film evenings throughout the month at the Ledward Centre, screening classic films from the BFI catalogue.
For more information, contact the LGBTQ Workers Forum via e-mail LGBTQWorkersForum@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
