This February, LGBT History Month will celebrate the life of Harvey Milk, 40 years after his murder. 2018 also marks 30 years since the introduction of Section 28, the legislation banning the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ in British schools.
Despite his short career in politics, Milk became an icon in San Francisco and a martyr in the gay community. In 2002, Milk was called “the most famous and most significantly open LGBT official ever elected in the United States” and he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
During the fight to repeal Section 28, the LGBT community and its allies stood together to challenge this offensive legislation but it was not fully repealed across the whole of the UK until 18 November 2003, 15 years after its introduction.
On a happier note, 40 years ago the rainbow flag was also launched upon an unsuspecting public in 1978, although sadly its creator Gilbert Baker passed away last year. And 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of Sarah Waters’ classic Tipping the Velvet
This year, LGBT History Month will focus on ‘Geography: Mapping the World’, to celebrate the fact that LGB people in Australia and up to 16 more central and south American nations will be able to enjoy same sex weddings.
Here at Touchstone, we are planning to hold our own LGBT History Month-inspired event with a repeat of our successful Pop up Leadership Masterclasses featuring LGBT speakers from across the spectrum who will talk openly and honestly about their experiences and how they lead authentic lives. The event is free and open to all and will be held on 14th February 12-2pm at Hillside in Beeston with a free curry lunch.
If you want to learn more about LGBT History Month, go to the following website
www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk and to find out what events are happening here in Leeds, visit the www.leedsinspired.co.uk events page.
