Labour’s Opposition Spokesperson for Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture, Councillor Amanda Evans, on LGBTQ+ History Month

February Is LGBT+ History Month in the UK and many other countries across the world, and the Labour Party both nationally and here in Brighton & Hove are as always delighted to lend our wholehearted support.

The theme for this year’s events is ‘Body, Mind, Spirit’ and the aim, as ever, is to raise awareness and promote equality and diversity in both education and wider society by increasing the visibility of LGBT+ people and celebrating their lives, experiences and history, so often overlooked in the past.

Most of us are proud in Brighton & Hove to live in a city widely seen as one of the most inclusive and open places on the planet. But sadly – as I said in seconding a cross-party Trans Inclusion Notice of Motion at January’s Full Council meeting – even here bigotry, discrimination, hate speech and violence is still directed at our LGBTQ+ communities on a far-too-regular basis. So, we need to loudly reaffirm our commitment to equality, safety, inclusivity and are pleased to do so here.

Lists of events this month, plus free resources for schools, other organisations, parents and  individuals can be found at: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/ 

‘Queering Spaces’ a photographic exhibition runs online from 13th of February – 19th March, find out more from Socially Engaged Art Salon (SEAS) Brighton: https://www.seasbrighton.org