Since 2005, February has marked a monumental time for the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBT+ History month was first founded by History teacher Rodney Wilson, in Missouri High School in 1994, as he believed it was important to celebrate the achievements and contributions made by LGBT+ people throughout history.
Many countries celebrate Pride Month in June, but February marks a different type of celebration. While LGBT+ History Month is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, it shows more of an emphasis on honouring the history and achievements that we’ve had to fight to get to where we are today. Whereas Pride Month is in June as it aligns with the Stonewall riots, which was a massive turning point for the fight of LGBTQ+ rights. Plus, the main aim of Pride is to celebrate the diversity and joy of the LGBTQ+ community and the show the world who we are and on promoting acceptance and equality. Both months are vital to celebrate but they both highlight slightly different focuses and traditions.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I believe that celebrating LGBTQ+ history month at Brunel is vital. This celebration allows us to raise awareness and gives us the opportunity to teach students and staff about the struggles and challenges that queer people have faced throughout history, reflect on what has been lost and gain a better understanding of the discrimination and inequality that we continue to face still today. Every year we fight towards greater acceptance and equality for the LGBTQ+ community and by raising this awareness and educating others we hope that staff and students will be inspired to create a more inclusive and safe space for all.
Every year in celebration of LGBT+ History Month, there is a designated theme. For 2023, the theme was ‘behind the lens’ in honour of all the queer people’s contribution to film and cinema from behind the scenes. This year we want to show off the incredible work our NHS and other healthcare staff with the theme of ‘Medicine’. Historically it has been difficult for LGBTQ+ people to receive healthcare in the UK and this theme will highlight this history and the inequalities still faced today.
LGBT+ History month was one of the reasons I ran for the officer role. I wanted to spread the awareness and support throughout Brunel. This month has always been a large campaign and I wanted to be able to be a part of the team that makes it such a success and see how big we’d be able to do it this year.
At Brunel there are people from many different backgrounds all coming into one place and I wanted Brunel to be somewhere they believed they could be their truest selves and express themselves to their fullest. I wanted students to know there was also someone who had their back and knew they’d feel safe studying here.
When I came out, seven years ago, I was in upper school and there was nobody else like me that I knew of. I came out much earlier than many people I know, and it meant I had to figure out my identity myself. I identify as bisexual and nonbinary; and use they/them pronouns. My sexuality and gender identity are two separate things. Sexuality is who I am attracted to, whereas my gender identity is who I am.
My identity means a lot to me because I had to figure it out alone. I thought there was something wrong with me, I wasn’t like the other people I knew and there were no other people with my identity in the mainstream media. The first few years of being out was a struggle, people didn’t treat me the same and didn’t understand me anymore. I have learnt to love myself, my identity and made sure I used the past seven years to educate as many people as possible and create a more inclusive environment everywhere I worked or studied at.
Coming out is a scary process and you may not know how the people around you will react, but that sense of relief of telling someone who you truly are and not having hide your identity anymore is the most rewarding part. Hopefully as times have changed people feel more confident being themselves and aren’t as scared to come out of the closet.