Saying Goodbye to LGBTQ+ History Month
Well it’s the end of LGBTQ+ History Month, but just because it’s the end of the month doesn’t mean we should take down our flags and banners for another year. Instead we should carry on educating, we should hold the hands of those brave enough to carry on fighting when life has knocked them down, we should embrace the people who open up to us, and we should stand in solidarity with those who have the furthest to go and walk beside them to safety.
The LGBTQ+ movement has come a long way since the 80’s, from blood bans being shortened, Section 28 being revoked, and the triumph of marriage equality, all are incredible wins that have progressed the acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people.
Alas, we are not there yet. People are still being murdered and executed for their sexuality, people are fleeing these countries in order to escape persecution only to be turned away from places like England, where we claim to accept and champion the rights of LGBTQ+ people. 72 countries still criminalise same-gender relationships. In more than half the world, LGBTQ+ people may not be protected from discrimination by workplace law. Most governments deny trans people the right to legally change their name and gender.
People are still facing physical and verbal violence every day. One in five LGBTQ+ people have experienced hate crime because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 40% of trans people have experienced hate crime because of their gender identity, and 80% of anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes go unreported.
It’s important that we remember the significance of LGBTQ+ History Month all year round, stand with fallen comrades and spread love all year to our LGBTQ+ family and friends. So, instead of saying “should”, let’s try “will”.
We will carry on educating, we will hold the hands of those brave enough to carry on fighting when life has knocked them down, We will embrace the people who open up to us, and we will stand in solidarity with those who have the furthest to go and walk beside them to safety.
Thank you everyone for your contributions to LGBTQ+ History Month at UCASU. To all the students who took part and the team who worked hard throughout the month. We’re so proud of everything we achieved this February and we will continue to work towards a liberated future for LGBTQ+ students and the wider community.