LGBTQ+ History Month

PoppyB

February is LGBTQ+ History Month!

This is a month long reflection of notable LGBTQ+ historical figures, and also time to focus on raising awareness and tackling prejudice of the LGBTQ+ community. 

One important figure was Alan Turing:

• Alan Turing was a maths genius who created code-breaking machines which helped to end World War 2. His understanding of computers still influences modern computing to this day. 
• However, in 1952 he was charged with "gross indecency" for having a relationship with a man. He was found guilty and forced to undergo chemical castration which meant he also had to stop the code-breaking work that had proved vital to the UK and Allies in World War 2. Two years later, he committed suicide, aged just 41 years old.
• It took until 2013 for Turing to receive a pardon, and in 2016, this pardon was extended to all men who had been convicted under the same law. 
• Alan Turing now also appears on the new £50 note

LGBTQ+ achievements in 2020 so far:

• Northern Ireland had its first same-sex marriages
• Phillip Schofield came out as gay
• Jameela Jamil came out as queer
• Switzerland backed a proposal to make discrimination due to sexuality illegal
• The UK will have it’s first ever Muslim Pride festival
• Rainbow crossings are popping up all over the country
• LGBT characters now make up 10% of series regular on TV, up 1.4% from last year.
  
• A High Court has permanently banned demonstrations against LGBT inclusive education outside a primary school in Birmingham

I hope you found that interesting, let me know if you would like to hear about other influential LGBTQ+ individuals