UK Parliament celebrates LGBT+ History Month
2 February 2021
UK Parliament is celebrating LGBT+ History Month which runs from 1 February to February 28.
UK Parliament is celebrating LGBT+ History Month with a programme of virtual events and information for parliamentary colleagues and the public.
This month is an opportunity to reflect on inspirational role models, build stronger and supportive communities and recognise the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
The House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle sat down with his Deputy Nigel Evans to discuss Nigel’s experience growing up as a gay man in Swansea and how the LGBT+ makeup of the House has change over the years (video below).
Over in the Lords, the February episode of the House of Lords Podcast will feature an interview with co-founder of Stonewall Lord Cashman, talking about his life and career as a campaigner for LGBT+ equality.
In the past year both the Commons and the Lords were listed in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers in 2020, recognising the work done across Parliament to be an LGBT+ inclusive organisation. The House of Lords has also constantly featured as one of the UK’s Top 50 Inclusive Employers, most recently placing 15th in 2020.
Events in Parliament
Parliament is hosting two online events focussing on LGBT+ art, culture and history as part of the celebrations to mark LGBT+ History Month this year.
'Winchester School of Art: reviving LGBT+ history’
Thursday 18 February, 6pm.
In this event, UK Parliament is handing the mic over to students from Winchester School of Art.
The Parliamentary Archives and Winchester School of Art set students on the BA (Hons) Graphic Arts course the task of creatively responding to the LGBT+ records held by the Parliamentary Archives.
The students came up with unique and imaginative projects to tell the story of LGBT+ legislative history, which they present in this 60-minute talk.
‘Queer histories from the Palace of Westminster’
Thursday 25 February, 6pm
UK Parliament are also taking LGBT+ history online with a 45-minute talk which commemorates hidden queer histories from the Palace of Westminster.
Focussing on two monarchs Edward II and Henry VIII, the talk explores themes of good kingship, the role and authority of the church in matters of sexuality and the impact of medieval legislation on behaviour.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons said:
“I am very proud to lead a House of Commons that has a record number of gay, bisexual and lesbian MPs. We also recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of ParliOUT – a workplace equality network set up to help MPs, Peers and staff in Parliament to be open about their sexuality.”
"We are on a mission to improve our diversity, so LGBT+ History Month gives us an opportunity to explore the history of the LGBT+ community in Parliament - and to take part in a range of activities to celebrate how far we have come, while recognising there is still more to do”
The Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler said:
“The LGBT+ Community are a crucial part of our Parliamentary fabric and their contribution cannot be overstated. Despite the progress we’ve made overall as a society, the LGBT+ community still faces terrible persecution, prejudice and even harm in many parts of the world.
“I’d encourage all staff and Members to engage with the special events taking place this month, including the new LGBT+ history tour and training courses so they can grasp the rich contribution of the LGBT+ community to Parliament’s history.”
