Frequently Asked Questions

February of each year has been set aside in the UK to mark and celebrate the lives and achievements of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Trans people.

Why has this happened?
Why do we need to do this?
Where did the idea for an LGBT History Month come from?
Who are Schools Out and why did they decide to do it?
Who runs LGBT History Month now?
How will LGBT History Month 2007 be run?
What about funding for the project?

Why has this happened?

LGBT people have often hidden themselves in society for their own safety and have also frequently been ignored by others for their achievements and contributions. The month will begin to rectify that.

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Why do we need to do this?

Because the lives and achievements of LGBT people have been hidden, it has been easy for others to stereotype and distort the reality of their lives. From this ignorance comes the prejudice that shows itself in homophobic bullying and negative discrimination. By presenting an honest appraisal of LGBT lives we seek to replace ignorance with knowledge and understanding.

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Where did the idea for an LGBT History Month come from?

An LGBT History Month was first initiated in the USA in the month of October 1994. LGBT History Month UK was initiated by Schools OUT in February 2005. Both were based on the creation of the highly successful Black History Month which first occurred in the UK in October 1987 (Black History Month USA takes place in February).

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Who are Schools OUT and why did they decide to do it?

Schools OUT is the thirty two year old organisation – originally called the Gay Teachers’ Group – that works for LGBT equality in education. It is an entirely voluntary organisation that survives on affiliation, donation and subscription. For further information, see www.schools-out.org.uk. By working in education in its widest sense and with school curricula in particular, they recognised that LGBT lives were hidden, disguised or ignored. They felt that this could only encourage the ignorance and prejudice that all their work seeks to challenge and therefore the creation of the LGBT History Month UK was an extension of that work.

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Who runs LGBT History Month now?

LGBT History Month is now run by a voluntary steering group.

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How will LGBT History Month 2007 be run?

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We are looking to appoint a project management team and we hope to be able to offer some payment for their work. LGBT History Month 2005 received a small grant of £17,000 from the DfES to establish the website, to provide some guidelines, lesson and assembly suggestions for schools and colleges and create a calendar of events nationwide celebrating LGBT lives and achievements. Our 2006/7 website is designed and maintained by a member of the steering group, who is a professional website designer. He provided his services at significantly lower than commercial rates. We already have several events for the 2007 calendar. 2007 will be bigger and better – more diverse and more inclusive.

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What about funding for the project?

We are continually looking for sources of funding. This year the DfES have decided not to fund us as they are spending their money on the guidance for tackling homophobia in schools. This leaves us in a very difficult financial place. Our website contains a model union motion asking branches, divisions and national unions to subscribe to this work. We are also seeking individual sponsors donating a minimum of £10.00 each – again see website for details. We are working to gain sponsorship from a wide variety of public and private bodies so that we can continue to develop this work.

Claiming our history; celebrating our present;

creating our future.