LGBT History Month- time to reflect

Date Published: 13 February 2020

LGBT History Month is a celebration of LGBT culture, reflect on history and look to the future of activism. It’s for everyone: community groups, organisations, individuals, activists, service providers, LGBT people and non-LGBT people alike.

The LGBT History Month theme for this year is “What Have We Learned?”, marking the 20th anniversary of the Section 28 repeal in Scotland.  Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act was introduced to ban local authorities, including schools, from ‘promoting homosexuality ‘. Positive messages and open conversation about LGBT were no longer allowed, and teachers were unable to discuss or support LGBT pupils with their identity issues. This law remained in place until 2000, when it was repealed by the Scottish Parliament, and subsequently by the UK Government three years later, after many organisations, communities and individuals protested the existence of this legislation.  

‘What Have We Learned?’ theme reminds us that prejudice can happen at any time and that the work of upholding LGBT rights should continue. It’s also an opportunity for councils, businesses and third sector organisations to show their support for LGBT people.  Aberdeenshire Council will be marking LGBT History Month by raising the rainbow flag outside the Council premises.  

As part of Marking LGBT History Month pupils from Mackie Academy have created a display board with a timeline and significant historical figures from the LGBT community in the History corridor of the school.  The school’s staff also have an opportunity to show support by displaying a poster with the legend: ‘If you are LGBT(Q+) you can talk to me’ in their classrooms. So far 80 members of staff have taken posters to display.

Find out about events in your area here https://www.lgbthistory.org.uk/ or on Facebook @LGBTHistoryMonthScotland.