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LGBTQ+ History Month - February 2022

LGBTQ+ History Month 2022 banner image including logo

A message from Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice-Chancellor on LGBTQ+ History Month 2022

February is LGBTQ+ History Month – an opportunity for us all to celebrate the diversity of our Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer or Questioning community and reflect on how we can create a more inclusive and safe space for people to be their true selves. It’s also a time for us to gain the confidence and skills to stand alongside the community, calling out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

Both our Sexual Orientation Equality Group and Gender Equality Group lead the change-making work in support of our 2030 strategy goal to create a fair, socially just and inclusive society that welcomes, celebrates and stands shoulder to shoulder with our LGBTQ+ community.

A key strand of our Strategy 2030 is supporting and enhancing the culture of our region. Working with charity organisations such as Cornwall Pride, Exeter Pride and the Intercom Trust, we share our experiences, talents and resources whilst learning and building on their in-depth knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community and its culture within the local area.

The history of the LGBTQ+ community is important to understand and learn from as we look to the future. Join me and take part in the range of fantastic events this month, engage with the brilliant resources below to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and discover ways in which we can all offer better support.

 

LGBTQ+ Staff Network, Pride Society and LGBTQ+ Society Statement

The theme for this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month is ‘Politics in Art’. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the first UK Pride March in 1972. The LGBTQ+ community has a long and rich history of using art to speak our political (and politicised) truths. When you think of politics in art, you may think of the signs held at these protests, endorsing equality and solidarity, be they 50 years ago or today, in this country or in others.

You may think of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, of Untitled (Perfect Lovers), or of the photo of David Kirby in hospital.

You may think of Jean-Michel Basquiat criticising colonialism and classism with visual poetry, or of Keith Haring’s radically joyous art that still criticised AIDS, apartheid, environmentalism, and inequality under capitalism.

You may think of artists who were out while they created their art, or those who were not or could not be – and find defiance, pride, complexity, anxiety, secrecy, and joy bound up in their works, whether they were explicit or not.

You may think of art from days gone by, or the new frontiers of art being explored today...

To read the full statement, please click HERE

 

SEE IT

For details of all LGBTQ+ History Month events happening in February 2022 please click HERE

Below is a selection of what's on

The Beat of Our Hearts
Thursday 03 February - Saturday 05 February 2022 (Various performances)
A tender and poignant exploration of loneliness and belonging, The Beat of Our Hearts is a unique theatrical celebration of unheard voices and previously untold stories of LGBTQIA+ people, from South West-based playwright Natalie McGrath.

Shon Faye - Live in conversation & Writing Workshop
Wednesday 09 February (18:00 – 19:30 GMT) Shon Faye, author of bestselling ‘The Transgender Issue’, is in Exeter for an evening of conversation with Exeter Trans & Non-Binary Café.
Thursday 10 February (10:30 – 12:30 GMT) Shon Faye is holding a writing workshop open to local LGBTQ+ young people (age 16-25).

Julia Serano: Transmisogyny and its Manifestations
Monday 14 February 2022 (17:00 – 18:00 GMT)
Transfeminist scholar and writer Julia Serano talks transmisogyny - what it is, how she came to write about it, and how it manifests.

Intercom Trust - Gender Variance in history and culture
Monday 21 February 2022 (18:00 – 20:00 GMT)
Explore and reflect upon Gender Diversity from a global perspective. Increase your ability to talk about trans identities and history to be better able to support people in feeling less alone and more connected with a rich cultural heritage.

PRISM Speakers for LGBTQ+ History Month
Monday 28 February 2022 (18:30 – 21:00 GMT)
PRISM's Speakers series returns with talks on "Biosciences beyond the binary" and "Transitions in science: phase and gender" with talks from Dr Charlie Wand and Dr Robert Ellis. 

 

WATCH IT

A selection of LGBTQ+ television series covering LGBTQ+ culture, characters and experiences.

Gentleman Jack
Halifax, 1832. Rejected by aristocratic Vere Hobart, Anne Lister returns to her shabby ancestral home, Shibden Hall, determined to restore its fortunes and find herself a wife.

Four Lives
The true story of the courageous families of four young gay men who lost their lives to killer Stephen Port. Facing police failings, they fought for justice for their loved ones.

Sex Education
Insecure Otis has all the answers when it comes to sex advice, thanks to his therapist mom. So rebel Maeve proposes a school sex-therapy clinic.

Special
A young gay man with cerebral palsy branches out from his insular existence in hopes of finally going after the life he wants.

 

READ IT

A selection of LGBTQ+ books both fiction and non-fiction on exploring different sexual orientations and gender identities.

Return of the Mantra
Winner of the 2021 Firebird Book Award for LGBTQ+ YA fiction. A young woman searches for justice and her own identity, in this tale of resistance, resilience, and a fight for the natural world. Modern issues explored in this fantasy/climate fiction.

The Magic Fish
Tien’s parents are refugees struggling to learn English, and Tien doesn’t know how to come out to them in Vietnamese. He discovers the answer in the common language of fairy tales. A unique and inspiring YA graphic novel.

The Empress of Salt and Fortune
A story of revenge and power: the elegant but wrenching tale of the Empress In-Yo, as recorded by the non-binary cleric, Chih. A beautifully told, epic and miniature fantasy novella.

The ABC's of LGBT+
Hello and welcome to the ABC’s of LGBT. Ashley Mardell, one of the most trusted voices on YouTube presents a detailed look at all things LGBT+. Along with in-depth written definitions, personal anecdotes, helpful infographics, links to online videos, and more, Mardell aims to provide a friendly voice to a community looking for information.

 

LEARN IT

Queer Science Competition
A new competition is challenging school, college and university students around Exeter to discover and share the stories of lesser known LGBTQ+ scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and medics.
The Queer Science Competition (QSC), has been launched by PRISM Exeter – in association with the University of Exeter, Intercom Trust, Exeter College, Devon Schools Leadership Services and Exeter Science Centre.

Out and About: Queer Collectors’ Case
RAMM (Royal Albert Memorial Museum) is working with the University of Exeter to showcase a Queer Collectors’ Case of meaningful objects.
LGBTQ+ people were invited to ‘donate’ these meaningful objects to the virtual showcase as part of ‘Out and About: Queering the Museum’.

New project to provide evidence on hormone therapy for transgender people
A new project will provide transgender people with evidence-based information on what to expect when undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).

LGBTQ+ History Month 2022 Submissions
This LGBTQ+ History Month, we would love for everyone to take an opportunity to reflect on the art that has been important, engaging, and political to their mind, especially as it relates to LGBTQ+ areas. We are collecting recommendations and would love to hear why a certain art piece - whether it is a book, film, song, picture, play, dance, or any other work of art - speaks to you in political ways.

For a list of internal and external information on LGBTQ+ histories and research please click HERE and look under the resources tab.

 

SUPPORT

LGBTQ+ Support

Cick HERE to go to the Univesity's LGBTQ+ support pages offering advice, guidance and support for staff and students, as well as friends, colleagues, and allies

 

LOCAL SUPPORT SPOTLIGHT

Intercom Trust

Intercom Trust is a lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans+ charity in Cornwall, Devon, and the wider South West. Our offices are in Exeter, Truro and Plymouth.

Over the past 25 years, Intercom's services have adapted to the changing social and economic climate, and throughout this time Intercom has steadily grown to meet its increasing demands. Our dedicated team continue to deliver high-quality services across the South West to meet the changing needs of our LGBT+ communities.

Face to face, support and advocacy has grown, to provide people with much-needed services, including therapeutic counselling and a diverse range of support groups.

We have developed well respected and CPD accredited training packages (both face to face and online). We have also run a number of conferences on topics such as Hate Crime, Gender Identity, Mental Health, etc...

To read the full article, please click HERE and look under the support tab