What is LGBT+ History Month?
Every February since 2006, some group, somewhere in the UK has celebrated our wonderful - and often hidden - past! This year, our GOC was no exception...
Why celebrate it?
For all too often, our amazing contributions throughout the twentieth century and beyond were `air-brushed` from history. People and events were not talked about openly, made the subject of innuendo and worse. We have all come to understand our right to be included, and to celebrate who we are – and what we have achieved.
February's LGBT+ History month enables us to explore all of the past – not just the ones that are deemed `acceptable entertainment `. It is used as part of School`s Curriculum as a positive role model for the next generation.
Green carnations & peacock feathers.
This, our first History Month walk was organised by GOC's Hertfordshire Group. Our walk took in St Pancras , Islington and the amazing cutting-edge redeveloped Kings Cross open space. This included Queer Britain , an iconic new museum Here we saw Oscar Wilde`s prison cell door, other artefacts and contemporary displays.
Nearly 30 members visited Old St Pancras Church (and a number of its graves with the Beaumont Society connection) before viewing 20th Century sites, houses of former residents and some stunning landmarks. These included Lord Byron, Kenneth Williams (and his passage…), Edith Craig, Derek Jarman, Francis Bacon's house (1561-1626), Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, and the ill-fated partners Joe Orton & Kenneth Halliwell, We also recalled dwellings associated with Brian Epstein, Roger Casement, Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards, Alan Turing, etc. This prior to viewing Housman’s Bookshop - and a welcome pint at the Central Station bar (specially opened early thanks to Khris and his nine page historical guide!)
Later in the month another GOC member contributed, online, a presentation tor Lincolnshire's NHS staff network. As part of their History Month Celebrations., David talked of enjoying weekends and walks, of GOC and the Lincolnshire Group`s events He also mentioned looking forward to completing his twenty five years of LGBT Activism next year. Indeed, this will be the year, 2024, in which the GOC celebrates 50 continuous years.
What can I do to support History Month in 2024?
There will, once again be various events which you or your group can attend. We`d also like to hear of plans for special walks to celebrate the month – some where near you there will be a famous name, a building, a memory...
