LGBT+ History Month - Be Loud, Be Proud, Be True, Be You
This year Lewisham’s message is to Be Loud, Be Proud, Be True, Be You, and we’re celebrating our diverse LGBT+ community online with a series of virtual events and inspiring downloadable displays.
Lewisham Library are hosting a series of online events throughout February, kicking off with an interview with well-known Young Adult author Simon James Green on Friday 5 February. Simon is the author of Noah Can’t Even, which was selected by WHSmith as one of the most important LGBT books of the last 50 years.
There will also be online readings of important LGBT+ literature such as Real Life by Brandon Taylor, The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall and All The Words Unspoken by Serena Kaur. View the full event listings for LGBT+ History Month.
The virtual displays feature a re-creation of Alan Turing’s office at Bletchley Park, a time-line of LGBT+ history, drag culture, the history of transsexuality and the history of the law on homosexuality. These images aim to capture the history and culture of the LGBT+ community. All LGBT+ History Month displays can be downloaded and viewed digitally online on the I am Lewisham website.
Photo of Alan Turing’s office at Bletchley Park display
Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said:
“Lewisham is an open and diverse borough and we are proud to have such an active and diverse LGBT community. While we cannot celebrate in person this year, we have an exciting programme of thought-provoking online displays and virtual readings to get people talking about and reflecting on LGBT history and the issues the community still faces today. We have come a long way in fighting for LGBT rights and we will continue to keep up that fight.”
George Wakely, member of the LGBT+ Lewisham Staff forum said:
“Lewisham’s theme ‘Be Loud, Be Proud, Be True, Be You’ is a celebration and remembrance of the past whilst embracing who we are in every aspect towards a brighter more colourful future.”
Lewisham Library online events
- Interview with author Simon James Green, 1 – 1.30pm, Friday 5 February 2021.
Simon James Green is an author and screenwriter. His young adult novels include Noah Can’t Even - long listed for the Branford Boase, winner of Wirral Book of the Year and selected by WHSmith as one of the most important LGBT books of the last 50 years. - Online Reading Group: Real Life by Brandon Taylor, 8 – 9pm, Tuesday 9 February 2021.
A discussion of Real Life by Brandon Taylor, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2020. - Online Reading Group: The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall, 1pm, Friday 19 February 2021.
An online reading from The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall, published in 1928, and immediately banned for its then controversial themes of lesbianism. - Online Reading Group: All The Words Unspoken by Serena Kaur, 1 – 1.30pm, Friday 26 February 2021.
An online reading from All The Words Unspoken. Debut British-Asian author, Serena Kaur's love story challenges our preconceptions of relationships.
National online events
- Big Gay Adventures in Education: Supporting LGBT+ Visibility and Inclusion in Schools, 6.30 – 7:30pm, Thursday 4 February 2021.
Attend the launch of the new book ‘Big Gay Adventures in Education: Supporting LGBT+ Visibility and Inclusion in Schools’. The book is a collection of true stories by 'out' teachers, and students of 'out' teachers, all about their experiences in schools. - Urania, Esther Roper and Eva Gore-Booth, 6.30 – 7:30pm, Tuesday 9 February 2021.
In this online talk, community activist and researcher Jenny White celebrates the two key editors of Urania. Urania was a journal which expressed pioneering views on gender, sexuality and abolishing the gender binary. Jenny will share how their stories have inspired and engaged people today. - Church, LGBTQI+ and the Priesthood of All Believers, 6pm, Monday 22 February 2021.
This virtual lecture will explore the concept of the church as a movement or community, and its members’ part in shifting attitudes and practice in both church and society.
Lewisham Council’s partner METRO promotes health and wellbeing services for anyone experiencing issues relating to sexuality, gender, equality, diversity and identity. These include advice and advocacy support, access to free STI testing and workshops and training to address homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. Contact them by calling 020 8305 5000 or visit the METRO charity website.