Celebrating LGBT+ History Month 2024

Since it was founded in 2004, LGBT+ History Month has sought to celebrate LGBT+ people, eliminate prejudice through education, reclaim the past, and create a fairer, more inclusive future. In 2024, the theme for LGBT+ History Month is Medicine: #UnderTheScope.

 

 

What is #UnderTheScope?

 

The 2024 theme will celebrate LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to the field of Medicine and Healthcare. Throughout February 2024, Schools OUT UK (the charity behind LGBT+ History Month) will “showcase the amazing work of LGBT+ staff across the NHS and in other healthcare settings, in providing healthcare, especially during the pandemic”.

 

Concurrently, the charity will shine a light on the complex nature of the LGBT+ community’s experience of receiving healthcare throughout history up to present day.

 

 

What are charities doing to celebrate LGBT+ History Month?

 

Charities across the LGBT+ community and beyond are coming together to celebrate LGBT+ History Month.

 

 

School’s OUT UK

 

To ‘claim their past’ Schools OUT UK have released a series of videos spotlighting key LGBT+ historical figures in medicine and healthcare, including Sophia Jex Blake (1840–1912), Ewan Forbes (1912–1991), and George Ward/Cherry Valentine (1993–2022).

 

Every year Schools Out UK provides free resources for organisations, services, schools, and businesses to help them celebrate LGBT+ history.

 

 

NHS Confederation’s Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network

 

The NHS Confederation is a charitable company. The Confederation’s Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network is a free network for LGBTQ+ leaders, aspiring leaders and allies working across healthcare in the UK.

 

This LGBT+ History Month, the Network is dedicated to showcasing some of the LGBT+ and ally trailblazers working in health and social care, specifically those that have who have inspired or raised awareness of LGBT+ health needs.

 

Separately the Network is hosting a celebratory event for its members on 15 February in London, providing an opportunity for network members to connect.

 

 

National Aids Trust

 

National Aids Trust is the UK’s HIV rights charity. They work to stop HIV from standing in the way of health, dignity, and equality, and to end new HIV transmissions.

 

For LGBT+ History Month, the National Aids Trust have published a blog specifically on LGBT+ History Month 2024, covering “the progress we’ve made and the urgent need to address inequalities.”

 

On their website you can find teaching and fundraising materials, as well as recent National AIDS Trust reports useful for contextualising how The HIV and AIDS epidemic is inextricably linked to LGBT+ history.

 

 

The Proud Trust

 

The Proud Trust is an “LGBT+ youth charity empowering young people to be proud of who they are.” The Proud Trust training and education team have produced a simple, easy to use, education and resource pack for LGBT+ History Month 2024: “This year’s education pack highlights the need to consider positively inclusive spaces in healthcare, but with learning that applies to all settings where people exist.” Included in the pack are science and medicine dedicated resources and worksheets.

 

 

What events are happening for LGBT+ History Month 2024?

 

London will see at least thirteen events take place for LGBT+ History Month, including a  LGBTQ+ archives tour at the Bishopsgate Institute, events at the British Library and Tate Modern, and comedy nights and walking tours across the city. Browse the full list here.

 

Outside the capital, Schools OUT UK’s LGBT+ History Month events calendar is a nationwide-spanning resource of events and gatherings for LGBT+ History Month 2024.

 

 

Why should non-LGBT+ charities and organisations get involved?

 

LGBT+ History Month is for everyone. Showing allyship and support is important, and expressing solidarity with other charities has many benefits, including the sharing of knowledge and resources, improving overall reach, and raising awareness for your own cause.

 

 

How to get involved

 

Partner with an LGBT+ charity or organisation

 

The benefits of corporate charity partnerships are well recorded and include benefits such as enhanced fundraising power, increased audience reach, and improved public visibility.

 

By partnering with an LGBT+ owned business, non-LGBT+ charities can show tangible support for the LBGT+ community and the barriers/inequalities they face.

 

 

Social Media

 

Social media is one of the easiest ways to show allyship with LGBT+ History Month or a specific LGBT+ charity/organisation. Use the official hashtags: #LGBTplusHM and #UnderTheScope in your posts and videos.

 

Read our advice on how to create greater impact with social media in 2024.

 

 

Review workplace practices and policies  

 

Taking action to make your workspaces a safe space for LGBT+ colleagues, volunteers, donors, and supporters will create a more inclusive environment and improve overall workplace well-being.  For more inspiration, check out Charity Digital’s top LGBT+ charities here.