February 2010 is the UK’s 6th LGBT History Month – aiming to drag an all too oft oppressed and airbrushed queer past out of the closet, as a positive catalyst for social change! Month brainchild, Schools Out!’s Sue Sanders, gives her Top Ten Tips on how we can all get involved.

Schools, colleges, unis, workplaces, councils, churches, community centres, youth clubs, museums, libraries and theatre groups - nay every individual and organization, LGBT or otherwise - can do something to promote knowledge of LGBT achievement, past and present. Here are just a few suggestions:
1. Community halls and youth clubs: Invite a specialist historian or biographer in to give a talk; arrange an evening of readings from LGBT memoirs, biogs, poems and fiction; invite older LGBT people in your area to talk and answer questions about LGBT life way back; organise a guided walk around local places of LGBT historical interest; host an LGBT history quiz.

2. Schools and colleges: Put up a display; hold a themed assembly; teach about LGBT people and related events in relevant lessons (History, English, Religious Education, Citizenship, Sex and Relationships etc); debate controversial LGBT-related motions during lunchtime.

3. Uni departments and societies (notably History, Art History, English/Drama, Gender/LGBT/Social Studies, but all departments since prominent historical queers come from all walks of life): Arrange a public lecture, seminar or full-day conference.

4. Museums, art galleries and archives: Put on an exhibition; hold a history workshop; arrange a public talk.

5. Libraries: Put on a display of books and pictures (eg a photographic exhibition of past local pride events from the 1970s to present day).

6. Theatres, arts centres, dramatic societies and music groups: Put on a play, performance or reading by or about a celebrated LGBT writer, composer or artist; organise a poetry, short story or art competition with an LGBT theme.

7. Film clubs and independent cinemas: Show a film with an LGBT theme or with gay film stars; or lay on a whole month-long season.

8. Local newspapers: Run a special feature on local gay history - the local gay scene from 70s to today; interviews with LGBT publicans and local LGBTs aged 17 - 70yrs!

9. Every closet in the land: Start clearing out your own gay closets! Keep a queer eye trained for any interesting badges, photos, banners, leaflets, posters, newspapers, mags, books or campaign T-shirts - making clear and detailed records of their history if known, informing the LGBT Hall Carpenter Archive of any real gems so they might be kept safe and accessible to posterity. Note: If you dig up any LGBT gems in your attic or closet, call the Hall-Carpenter Hotline NOW on: 0207 955 7223.

10. Every closet designer: Design, then display or photocopy and distribute an LGBT History Month poster or flyer, listing the names of dozens – nay hundreds - of prominent historical queer figures. Put it up - in your classroom, common room, youth hut, church hall, library, work kitchen or notice board; get it read out at a school assembly or other public gathering; use it at A4 size as a hand-out, perhaps to prompt discussion at a group or meeting, or as an insert in a work/school/college magazine. Leave a stack lying around for people to pick up and chat about!

For further suggestions, resources and the chance to promote your own LGBT History Month activity, or to share your creative ideas, visit: www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk

Adrian Gillan

Adrian Gillan