14 books for LGBT+ History Month & beyond
LGBT+ History Month is celebrated every February in the UK. The month was originally founded by Paul Patrick & Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders of the charity Schools Out, one of our 300 strong Global Equality Collective (GEC). The mission is to promote equality and diversity through increasing the visibility of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people, their history, lives and their experiences within the curriculum and wider culture of educational institutions and the wider community. At the GEC, we love the work of this incredible team and want you to get involved too!
LGBT+ History Month is the perfect opportunity to both learn and celebrate the achievements and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, to acknowledge and raise awareness of the ongoing discrimination and difficulties faced. Only with an understanding of our shared history, struggles and successes within the LGBT+ community can we hope to improve and build upon a more inclusive society for all of us.
Note from Nic: “The GEC recommends reviewing the resources available, to both celebrate our LGBT+ people and to raise awareness on a wider level across all communities. LGBT+ History Month is a welcome prompt to ensure that this knowledge is a part of your curriculum, not just in February but throughout your school year. Consider how this is happening in your organisation with the overall aim of moving from a moment to a movement for your students and their families. The GEC Platform is packed full of resources on this topic alongside many others to help create an inclusion revolution in your school!”
How diverse are your bookshelves and playlists when it comes to LGBT+ characters and themes?
We know that by providing children with stories and books with information about themselves, their families and the wider LGBT+ community it’s possible to empower and educate people from a young age. This allows for further intersectional conversations that educate and promote inclusivity too. Reading about LGBT+ characters, families that are alike or differ from yours, as well as exploring the history and discrimination that this community have faced and still face is a vital step for the future of inclusivity.
In addition to the teachable moments that books can provide we also acknowledge the importance of LGBT+ representation in TV shows and films. For some children and young adults, interaction with members of the LGBT+ community may be limited, inclusion therefore is important for building a frame of reference and teaching the acceptance and tolerance that we want to see in real life. Ultimately, our televisions should mirror society when it comes to the people we see on our screens too.
We’ve dipped into GEC KnowHow, the biggest collection of DEI resources - for everyone, to select some books, podcasts and TV shows that can build belonging, start conversations and contribute to better inclusion. Share your suggestions with us on our social media communities here.
KnowHow to celebrate and usualise our LGBT+ community!
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