What is LGBT History Month?
LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It is observed in February in the UK to coincide with a major celebration of the 2003 abolition of Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act which stated that councils should not “intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” in its schools or other areas of their work.
The theme for 2017 is Citizenship, PSHE and Law to mark the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality in England and Wales.
Did you know…
That the School of Education has a support group for LGBT trainee teachers at the University of Brighton?
This group provides an opportunity to network with other LGBT trainees, share school based experiences and discuss challenges with positive role models. It also allows members to stay in touch and share information about upcoming events for the School of Education and the wider university community. The group includes students and academic staff as well as myself from the Curriculum Centre.
“The group has not only provided a way for LGBT teachers to connect and share their mutual battles and victories in education, but it also provides a gateway to helping us approach LGBT or gender topics within our own classrooms. This comes hand in hand with the support of each other, our LBGT allies, as well as an extended network of supporters” (Student member #1)
“There’s a huge sense of comfort, knowing you’re not alone. Hearing from more experienced students/lecturers about their experiences within education (as students and as teachers) is really helpful, as it prepares you for your journey ahead. Having the opportunity to meet people who ooze confidence, is inspiring. Being ‘out’ can be a challenging and often scary thing, but knowing that there are others who share your feelings is uplifting.” (Student member #2)
To find out more about the group, you can email us at curriculumcentre@brighton.ac.uk
How can you mark LGBT History Month in your classroom?
The Classroom – this excellent website offers a series of lesson plans to enable you to include the LGBT experience through a variety of lesson plans in all key stages.
Curriculum Subject Area Identities Posters– These pdf posters were produced by Kit Heyam of York LGBT History Month in response to requests from schools in York for resources to help make LGBT history visible in the curriculum.
KS1 Lesson plan – Cross Curricular – Using the picture book King and King and Family by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland
KS1 Lesson plan – PSHE – What is bullying? What should we do about it?
SEN Lesson plan – Geography – Flags
Rainbow Teaching – a volunteer run project aimed at supporting teachers in LGBTQIA+ inclusive teaching
Books to support LGBT History Month
As well as teaching resources, there are some fantastic children’s books featuring diverse families and LGBT characters. Most of these books will also be on display in the Curriculum Centre throughout February as well as a cross-curricular display on King and King and Family using the lesson plan above
Non-fiction
This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson – a funny and very useful guide for LGBT teenagers
Daring Hearts: Lesbian and Gay Lives of 50s and 60s Brighton by Brighton Ourstory (this fascinating book is unfortunately out of print but is still available to buy from Amazon)
Picture books
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
In Our Mothers’ House by Patricia Polacco
King and King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland
King and King and Family by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland
Something Else by Kathryn Cave
Welcome to the Family by Mary Hoffman
Donovan’s Big Day by Leslea Newman
Antonio’s Card by Rigoberto Gonzalez
Mommy, Mama and Me by Leslea Newman
Daddy, Papa and Me by Leslea Newman
The Boy Who Cried Fabulous by Leslea Newman
10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert
Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton
Pearl Power and the Girl with Two Dads by Mel Elliott
Fiction
Primary
The Secrets of Sam and Sam by Susie Day
The Secrets of Billie Bright by Susie Day
Two Weeks with the Queen by Morris Gleitzman
The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams
Scrivener’s Moon by Philip Reeve
Secondary
The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson
More Than This by Patrick Ness
Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley
What’s Up With Jody Barton? by Hayley Long
Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner
The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
The Dark Light by Julia Bell
Starring Kitty by Keris Stainton
Unbecoming by Jenny Downham
As I Descended by Robin Talley
Graphic Novels
Skim by Mariko Tamaki
For a further list of titles see the wonderful Letterbox Library
What’s happening in Brighton during LGBT History Month?
The B Right On Festival is organised by the volunteers of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum and runs during LGBT History Month in February 2017. Events include lectures, social events and exhibitions.
