LGBTQ+ History Month

Former Member · February 2020

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