LGBT+ History Month

February is LGBT+ history Month, and important time to consider all the valuable contributions of LGBT+ people throughout history as well as the current day.

Liverpool Museums have gathered this useful range of information in a variety of formats such as short reads and videos. Stonewall, the LGBT Charity have summed up significant recent developments too. 

It is the 20 year anniversary since Section 28, the law that banned anything that could be deemed “promoting homosexuality” was repealed.  Before it was repealed it meant that same sex relationships were not talked about in sex and relationship classes, impacting generations of children and teachers.  The excellent award nominated series It’s a Sin produced on Channel 4 and on replay on All 4, illustrates what it was like at the time and the impact of HIV and AIDS in the 1980s.

The culture of that time still impacts the LGBTQ+ community today, and can be one of the things that stops someone feeling able to openly express what their sexual orientation is.

Another event important in the LGBTQ+ calendar is Pride.  Last year we were pleased to attend St Helens and Liverpool Pride as an organisation.  

Pride is an event that happens around most of parts of the world, whilst it is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, it is also a reminder of the other parts of the world where being LGBTQ+ is illegal and punished. Pride events vary in size and can be as simple as a parade through a town or city, to market stalls promoting equality, LGBTQ+ health and services in your local community.

Kieran Armstrong – LGBTQ+ Staff Network Chair said 'For me, Pride allows me to celebrate being who I am, uplifting my community and showing people that we are human, and we do belong. Furthermore, it is a protest any hate crimes targeted to our community and fighting for those who can’t live their true authentic lives due to laws and prejudice within their country'.

 St. Helens Pride

At St. Helens Pride, we worked with the Think Wellbeing Team and Hope Recovery Team (Taylor Ward) to celebrate pride, promote Mersey Care, and reach out to the community.

Liverpool Pride

At Liverpool Pride, Mersey Care marched with various other NHS Trusts across the northwest in solidarity. The parade was a fun event for all and showed the spirit of the city.