It is LGBTQ+ History Month, and here’s how Sunderland is getting involved.

By Elle Gray-Thynne

This annual, month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer history and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements was founded in 1994 by a Missouri high-school history teacher Rodney Wilson and its aim is to provide role models, build community and represent a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.

It quickly became very popular around the world with most city’s and countries adopting a month-long celebration. With the UK celebrating February 1 – February 28.

The Sunderland University Student Union has made it easy for young people to get involved with events and activities. Sunderland was recently named University of the Year for Social Inclusion by The Times and Sunday Time Good University Guide 2021. And the theme of LGBTQ+ history month this February is ‘Body, Spirit, Mind.’

Throughout this month, the Student Union is dedicated to being a voice for students in the community and are hosting weekly events that all are welcome to join around these topics: LGBTQ+ Student Network Coffee Break, Micro Volunteering Workshop, The Big Gay Festival on Spark, Understanding Identities: LGBTQ+ Training with Hart Gables and LGBTQ+ History Month Panel.

You can sign up to these events via the Sunderland Student Union website – https://www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/articles/lgbtq-history-month

You can also subscribe to the ‘Sunderland Pride’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts as they confirm events for the coming month.