LGBT History Month 2008
This month is Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) History Month, a chance to celebrate the achievements of the LGBT community with events all over Britain. LGBT History Month is also a great opportunity to learn more about the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain.
The first event of the month is Outspoken 4, where 3 speakers reflect on their personal histories and the struggles, triumphs and joys of growing up and coming out. You can catch Outspoken 4 at Southwark Cathedral in London on Friday 1 and Wednesday 6 February.
Also on 1 February is the Oscar Wilde Exhibition at the Galleries of Justice in Nottingham. The exhibition focuses on the 3 trials that led to Wilde's imprisonment for homosexual acts. Some of the items on display include his prison cell door, images of the prisons he was incarcerated in during his sentence and copies of his plays that were banned after his trial.
Go back in time on Thursday 7 February with a talk at London's Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology. John J. Johnston will talk you through sexuality in ancient Egypt, and you'll also have the chance to look around the museum.
From 12 - 17 February, Nottingham's View from the Top gallery is holding a LGBT History Exhibition including over 600 famous LGBT faces, a timeline of LGBT history and the story behind the gay poet who created Robin Hood. You can also find out how the law has affected LGBT people since the 13th century and how homosexuality is still punished in some parts of the world.
From Saturday 23 February, don't miss the Out in the Sticks Film Festival in Hereford. The week of LGBT-interest films at The Courtyard include the classic Dirk Bogarde movie Victim, TransAmerica, Brokeback Mountain, Beautiful Thing and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
As part of the Diversity Festival 2008 and to celebrate LGBT History Month, the University of Chester will be hosting the Gay Times Exhibition: 35 years of landmark moments in UK Queer history on Saturday 23 February. Curated by Richard Smith, the magazine's associate editor, the exhibition documents LGBT social history from the early days of the Gay Liberation Front to the present day.
The grand finale evening of LGBT History month takes place in the Arden Arms in Stockport. Paul Patrick, History Month Co-ordinator will again be regaling the audience with anecdotes relating to LGBT history and heritage.
For more information on LGBT History Month or for the full event programme, visit LGBT History Month (www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/).