LGBT+ History Month 2025

February marks LGBT+ History month, an annual celebration of the history, achievements, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals and communities. Liz, Bath Mind’s Diversity and Inclusion Lead, shares more about the significance of this month and how we can mark this important occasion meaningfully.

What is LGBT+ History Month?

LGBT History Month was founded by Schools OUT Co-chairs, Paul Patrick and Sue Sanders after section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 was repealed to mark the history, achievements and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals and communities. In 2025, Schools OUT is celebrating its 50th year and 20 years of UK LGBT+ History Month.

Why is LGBT+ month important and how does it differ from Pride Month?

LGBT+ History Month is marked every February in the UK and is an opportunity to celebrate the innovation that the LGBTQ+ community has created but also to reflect on the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movements. History often misses the contributions that have been made by individuals from the LGBT+ community which could wrongly give the impression that LGBTQ+ people have only been around in recent years or, that these individuals have not made any noteworthy contributions. It is a fantastic opportunity to educate people about the rich history of LGBTQ+ communities and to promote a culture of inclusivity, eliminate discrimination, and promote LGBTQ+ culture.

Pride Month, which is celebrated every year in June, is a time for the community to join together (usually at in-person festivals featuring a pride march) to highlight LGBTQ+ causes. The Pride movement was born from the Stonewall riots of 1969 and has a strong political drive. It’s different from LGBT+ History Month because it usually focuses on the present and the future of the community, rather than the past.

Each year, a new theme is chosen as the focus and so are 5 LGBT+ historical figures to highlight their work contributions and legacy who fit with that theme. In 2025, the theme is activism and social change.

What is activism?

Activism refers to the practice of taking action to effect social, political, economic, or environmental change. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from grassroots organising and protests to lobbying, advocacy, and community outreach.

Social activism can include marches, strikes, sit ins, petitions and letters, boycotts and digital activism and community organising. Social activism often relates to causes such as gender equality, racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, public health, and environmentalism.

Key historical LGBT+ activists

The 2025 LGBT+ Historical Figures are all activists who advanced equality and social justice in a range of different manners and ways. The activists are:

Octavia Hill - Social Reformer, Environmentalist and Founder of the National Trust

Octavia HillBorn on 3rd December 1838, Octavia set out to improve the lives of working-class communities in Victorian Britain. She bought and renovated decaying ‘slum housing’ properties across London to improve the conditions for tenants.

Most notably, Octavia Hill was the founder of the National Trust in 1895. She wanted to protect and preserve the ‘green belt’, a term that she coined to refer to the controlling of urban growth by creating a ring of greenery around cities to prevent urban sprawl. She felt that the right to safe, clean green spaces was essential for all people, especially the urban dwellers who often lived in unsafe and polluted conditions in Industrial Revolution Britain.

Octavia Hill had a relationship with Sophia-Jex Blake, one of the first women doctors in Britain. Her long-term partner was Harriet Yorke, and they lived and worked together for 30 years and were eventually buried together in Kent.

Ivor Cummings - British Civil Servant of Sierra Leonean Ancestry and the First Black Official in the British Colonial Office

Born on 10th December 1913, Ivor Cummings was a celebrated civil servant and the first Black person to obtain a position in the Colonial Welfare Office during World War Two in 1941. Ivor affectionately became known as the “gay father of the Windrush generation” for his work to recruit and support the arrival of African and Caribbean medical professionals to help staff the newly created National Health Service.

In 1948, his allyship and support to support Caribbean and African staff was recognised by being awarded an OBE.

Ivor was open about his experiences of being a Black, gay man and used the term “queer” long before the movement from the LGBT+ community sought to reclaim it in the 1990s.

Annie Kenney - Suffragette and Women’s Rights Advocate

Annie was a working-class suffragette and socialist feminist, who co-founded the first branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union. She worked part time in a cotton mill from age 10 whilst attending school and at 13, began full time as a Weaver’s assistant.

Her activism began with spreading the message about the women’s rights movement to other women working in the mills with her around Oldham. Over the years, she was jailed a total of 13 times for her involvement in the suffragette movement.

Annie had many ‘close friendships’ with other Suffragettes including with Christabel Pankhurst. Kenney and Pankhurst were reportedly lovers although due to attitudes at the time, accounts sought to obscure the romantic nature of their relationship and state that they were merely friends.

Charlie Kiss - Campaigner, Trade Unionist and Trans Rights Pioneer

Charlie was a keen social justice advocate throughout his teenage years in the last 1970s and early 1980s. Charlie was involving himself with the lesbian feminist community and anti-nuclear protest from a young age.

In 2015, Charlie became the first trans man to run for Parliament in the UK and stood for the Green Party in Islington South & Finsbury. Although not elected, he did receive a record 8% share of the vote. He created the Green Party’s first panel exploring gender diversity and the discrimination faced by trans, intersex and non-binary people.

In 2019, Charlie was diagnosed with the incurable lung condition called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which had also killed his mother, Marta. Charlie Kiss’ legacy includes more Greens on Islington council and better support and NHS funding for trans people.

Olaudah Equiano - Abolitionist and Author

Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745- 31st March 1797), who was renamed as Gustavas Vassa when he was enslaved, was captured with his sister from their home in modern day Nigeria and taken to the West Indies before arriving in America. He was sold twice before eventually purchasing his freedom in 1766 and moving to London.

As a free man, Equiano was a supporter of and contributor to the British abolitionist movement. He was also a member of the Sons of Africa, an abolitionist group of men from the African diaspora.

In 1789, he published his autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavas Vassa, the African, which is the earliest known examples of published writing by an African writer. The storytelling shed light on the abhorrence of slavery and his championing of human rights helped to propel the abolitionist movement forwards.

Although records are unclear, it is reported that Equiano had numerous relationships with men throughout his teenage years and twenties before marrying his wife and having two children together. Whilst this terminology was not used at the time, by modern-day standards, it is thought that he may have identified as bisexual.

LGBTQ+ and Mental Health

The impact that discrimination and isolation have on the mental health of LGBTQ+ people is clear, and avoidable. That’s why we all need to do more to make sure things change – for the better.

Being LGBTQ+ does not cause mental health problems. But some things you may go through as an LGBTQ+ person can make you more likely to experience a mental ill health.

Some things you may go through if you are LGBTQIA+ include:

  • Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia
  • Experiences of stigma and discrimination
  • Difficult experiences of coming out
  • Social isolation, exclusion and rejection
  • ‘Conversion therapy’
  • Difficulties getting the healthcare you need for reasons such as discrimination, or long waiting lists for gender treatment if you’re trans

In fact, because of these issues LGBTQ+ people are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience a mental health problem. And many young people experience a lack of inclusive environments – from home to school and beyond. Nearly a quarter of young people who are at risk of homelessness identify as LGBTQ+.

How can you engage with LGBT+ History Month?

  • Educate yourself and those around you. Read books, articles, and watch documentaries that explore the history and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. This LGBTQ+ glossary is a great place to start.
  • Uplift the voices of LGBTQ+ people. Whether this is people in your family, colleagues or people online, centering queer voices is important.
  • Attend Events. Look for local or online events and activities related to LGBTQ+ History Month. These could include lectures, panel discussions, film screenings, art exhibitions, or community gatherings.
  • Support LGBTQ+ Organisations. There are many organisations, such as Stonewall, that work towards advocacy, education and support of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Support LGBTQ+ Businesses. Choose to support LGBTQ+-owned businesses during the month and beyond. This could include restaurants, shops, or service providers.

Posted on: 16th January 2025

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