
20 years of LGBTQ+ History Month: February 2025
Join us in celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month this February, in its twentieth year. Originally established by Schools OUT, who are now celebrating their fiftieth year, LGBTQ+ History Month is an annual celebration of those activists that have helped shape and advance society for LGBTQ+ people. In recognition of this, the theme for LGBTQ+ History Month 2025 is Activism and Social Change.
This year the university has organised several online panels, events and interactive activities.
- Online panel discussion about activism and social organising in the LGBTQ+ community with Sarah Savage, founder of Trans Pride in Brighton, Gil Mualem-Doron, founder of Brighton’s Socially Engaged Art Salon (SEAS), and Abanoub Iskander from The Queery – Tuesday 11 February, 12.30-13.45. Click here to join the MS Team.
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LGBTQ+ Awareness and Allyship training with Allsorts – 18th February 10.00-13.00, online. Book your space.
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LGBTQ+ reading list curated by the Library team.
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LGBTQ+ History Month subject guide curated by the Library team.
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“We’ve Always Been Here” Using Arts to Re-Connect LGBTQ+ Generations. Talk and Creative Workshop by Dr Elle Whitcroft from the Centre For Transforming Sexuality & Gender. Friday 21 February 12.00-13.00, Checkland A402, Falmer Campus.
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“HIV/STIs in Japan and Trans and Non-Binary Access to Healthcare”. Research Seminar by Prof. Noriyo Kaneko. Thursday 20 February, 12:00 – 13:00, Falmer Campus.
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True Story Time: The Gay Bar in a Zoo! Sit back and relax as Alf Le Flohic reads the true life tale of Bognor’s unique 1983 LGBT nightspot: The Safari Bar. Tuesday 25 February 12.30-13.00. Click here to join the MS Team.
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Student LGBTQ+ Society (Brighton Student’s Union): Talk About Activism & Change – 14 February, 11:00-13:30, location TBC; History Walk – 21 February, 11:00-13:30, location TBC.
Our institutional LGBTQ+ equalities work is overseen by UEB Champion and Chief People Officer Julie Fryatt. Julie says:
“LGBTQ+ History Month is so important for fostering inclusivity and progressing equalities and I’m really looking forward to joining some of the events this month that are celebrating LGBTQ+ community.”
Alongside the exciting events planned at our university, you can find many events taking place across our local community this February:
Queer the Pier: Spotlight Gallery exhibition at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
- Date: Ongoing
- Location: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1EE
- Price: Free with Brighton Museum admission. Members free.
- Website.
This community curated display peers into local LGBTIQA+ history. Celebrating the lives of the writers, artists, performers, activists and ordinary people who have made Brighton & Hove so fabulous, their stories are brought to life with film and photography, fashion and drag and oral histories. Part of Be Bold, a series of collaborative exhibitions and events, programmed with Brighton & Hove’s LGBTQ+ communities.
Queer Diary
- Date: Friday 21 February, 7pm
- Location: The Actors, 4 Prince’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1RD
- Price: Pay what you can (up to £12)
- Website
At Queer Diary the goths, the punks, the emos, the nerds, the glee-clubbers (and maybe a few populars?) come together as grown-ups, to share their younger selves’ innermost thoughts via old diary entries, fanfiction stories, tumblr posts, and possibly the odd bit of cringey poetry.
Is It Queer Though? (Queer Film Night Series)
- Date: Friday 21 February, 6.30-9.30pm
- Location: PLATF9RM, The Grounds, Hove Town Hall, Church Road Hove BN3 2AF
- Price: £11.55
- Website.
Is It Queer Though? is a vibrant film night series hosted at PLATF9RM, bringing the LGBTQ+ community and allies together to celebrate queer culture through cinema. Led by bestselling author and activist Juno Dawson, this event is more than just a movie night. Each session features a carefully chosen film from camp classics to thought-provoking modern masterpieces followed by engaging discussions about its relevance, representation, and impact on queer identity and culture.
Trans Kids Deserve Better – Art Show @ The Queery
- Date: Saturday 22 February, 12-4pm
- Location: The Queery, 46 George St, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1RJ
- Price: Free (register for tickets)
- Website.
Trans kids’ art deserves to be seen. It needs to be created, appreciated, and understood. That’s why Trans Kids Deserve Better are setting up an inspiring art show. Come along and experience paintings, photography, poetry, film and, most importantly, community. This special exhibition will celebrate, value, and highlight trans kids’ art. What we want, what we think, what we struggle with, what we love… it’s all here. On the day there will be soft drinks available at the venue.
You can find out more about Trans Kids Deserve Better here: transkidsdeservebetter.org.
Exhibition: Beyond the Binary – A Celebration of Trans Joy
- Date: Ongoing till Saturday 28 February
- Location: Plus X Innovation, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GL
- Price: Free
- Website.
Beyond The Binary – A Celebration Of Trans Joy is a collaboration between Brighton-based award-winning photographer and queer artist Chris Jepson, trans groups including Trans Pride Brighton, The Clare Project, Trans Can Sport, TReNBI FC Brighton and Transkaters, as well as numerous trans individuals.
Beyond The Binary is a project capturing authentic joy, promoting community spirit and empowering the trans community through visibility.