5 ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month
Did you know that it is currently LGBTQ+ History Month? The awareness month aims to educate people on the issues and history of the LGTBQ+ community, with the ultimate goal of promoting an inclusive modern society in which everyone can thrive. Whether you’re already aware of the likes of Alan Turing and Marsha P. Johnson or you’re looking to expand your knowledge, here are 5 great ways you educate yourself this LGBTQ+ History Month.
Stream Some online Events
Despite lockdown, there are still a number of engaging and exciting LGBTQ+ live events that you can stream from the comfort of your living room. Why not catch up with Bad Lay-Dee’s LGBTQ+ History Month live stream hosted on the Royal Museum Greenwich Facebook page. The workshop is suitable for all ages and is an opportunity to celebrate everyone’s individuality, as well as exploring some of the queer stories in the collection.
Looking for something with a little more sparkle? This year’s Fierce Queens event is death dropping across zoom on Friday 26th February. Hosted by Adam All and Apply Derrieres, the 18+ Livestream boasts live drag performance, creative activities and historic tours that look at London life experience by the community. Grab your tickets here.
Image: rmg.co.uk
Have a Binge-Watching Session
Avoid endless scrolling this weekend and get streaming some LGBTQ+ film and television classics. Why not check out critically acclaimed writer Russell T Davies’ latest series ‘It’s a Sin’ on 4oD. The 5 part series follows a group of friends who navigate London during the AIDs epidemic of the 1980s and early ’90s. The series perfectly showcases queer friendship, romance, allyship and difficult family relationships, all told through the lens of London’s queer community. It’s a Sin will undoubtedly tug at your heartstrings, so be sure to have a tissue on standby. Other Davies classics like ‘Queer As Folk’ and ‘Cucumber‘ are available to stream on the platform, so make sure you get browsing.
Netflix also has a whole collection of LGBTQ+ films, TV shows and documentaries, all accessible with a couple of clicks. Learn about trans representation in film and television with ‘Disclosure’, enjoy a laugh a minute with ‘Schitts Creek’ or check out ‘Stage Mother’ for a feel-good film about a mother who inherits a drag bar from her recently deceased son.
Image: Channel4.com
Pick Up a Couple of Books
Looking to swat up on your LGTBQ+ history? We’ve got your covered. Learn about the last 100 years of LGBTQ+ protesting as well as the ideas that inspired them with Rise Up! : The Art of Protest, peel open Trans Britain : Our Journey from the Shadows to hear about the Trans experience in Britain told by those who were there or channel your inner Ru Paul by diving into The Art of Drag. Grab these page-turners and other publishings at from LGBTQ+ owned Proud Geek. Time to embrace your inner book worm.
Image: proud-geek.co.uk
Plug into a Podcast
If books aren’t quite your thing, why not pop on a couple of LGBTQ+ podcast? Whether you’re looking for something educational, light-hearted or even something that gets deep, you can find the perfect podcast for you. Apps like Spotify host a vast range of content from creators like Alan Cumming and Chris Sweeney who host ‘Homo Sapiens’, Queer Eyes’ Jonathon Van Ness’ ‘Getting Curious’, ‘Making Gay History’, hosted by Eric Marcus and ‘Qmmunity’, presented by Char and Alexis. So pop in your headphones and listen up!
Image: Financialtimes
Get resourceful
Whether you’re looking for material for your kids, students or even to read up yourself, there are some great online resources, reading lists and videos to help you educate yourself, as well as loved ones. Hop over to lgbtplushistorymonth.com for a vast range of information or pop over to their YouTube channel to watch discussion around ‘Queering Museums’ and ‘Missing LGBTQ+ Figures from History’.
Image: lgbtplushistorymonth