LGBTQ+ History Month
Due to a global Microsoft outage we are unable to access some systems, including sending and receiving email. Our phone lines remain open if you need to contact us. We are monitoring the situation and will keep residents updated.
LGBTQ+ History Month is a time to recognise and celebrate the lives, contributions and achievements of LGBTQ+ people throughout history and across all areas of life. Since the first UK LGBTQ+ History Month in 2005, communities have come together to highlight the richness and diversity of LGBTQ+ experiences and to create spaces where everyone feels safe, seen and supported.
The theme for LGBTQ+ History Month 2027 has not yet been announced, but we are opening applications now to give successful applicants plenty of time to plan their events. We will update this page once the theme is announced.
Applicants are welcome to connect their events to the theme once it is announced but this is not a requirement of the fund.
Project funding
We are offering small grants of up to £1,000 to support people living or working in Lewisham to create their own local activities or events during LGBTQ+ History Month in February 2027.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 29 November 2026.
For inspiration, previous funded activities have included:
- creative workshops
- theatre and performance
- film screenings
- exhibitions and heritage displays
- discussion panels and talks
- reading groups and literary events
- fashion and activism activities
- community celebrations
We welcome new ideas too. If you have an idea for an event or activity that celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month and you meet the application criteria below, please complete the application form for a chance to receive funding.
Application criteria
Applicants must:
- demonstrate lived experience of being part of, or experience working closely with LGBTQ+ communities
- propose activities that celebrate, explore or raise awareness of LGBTQ+ history, identity or community experience
- involve members of LGBTQ+ communities in the planning and/or delivery of the project
- deliver the project in the borough of Lewisham
- deliver the project during February 2027
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from community groups, voluntary organisations, charities, CICs, businesses and other organisations.
You do not need to be a registered charity or CIC to apply. However, organisations and groups must be able to demonstrate that they are an established group, business or organisation.
Grant funding must be paid into an organisational bank account. We are not able to make payments into individual bank accounts. If your group does not have its own bank account, another eligible organisation may be able to receive and hold the funding on your behalf.
Individuals are welcome to apply but must be endorsed by an established organisation that can receive the grant funding on their behalf. This could include a community or voluntary organisation, residents’ association, housing association, faith organisation, school or similar organisation.
Before any grant is paid, Lewisham Council may ask successful applicants to provide information or documentation to verify the organisation or group, its bank account and the individuals responsible for managing the grant. Funding will only be released once any required checks have been completed.
Requirements for funded projects
If your application is successful, you will be responsible for ensuring that:
- all legal and insurance requirements associated with the project are met.
- appropriate safeguarding measures are in place where required, such as DBS checks.
- the project is delivered during February 2027.
- a completed monitoring form is submitted at the end of the project
- this will include a short narrative report on your event or activities, along with photographs where appropriate and where the necessary permissions have been obtained, attendee feedback or quotes, and information collected on attendance
- the deadline for completed monitoring forms is Monday 1 March 2027
If you have any concerns or questions about the above requirements or anything else related to this application form, please email cultural.grants@lewisham.gov.uk.
If you are hosting a street party then you will also need to apply for a road closure.
Lewisham is committed to being a Borough of Sanctuary, welcoming people seeking refuge and safety. By applying for this grant, you agree that your project will create an inclusive environment where sanctuary seekers feel respected and valued and take reasonable steps to ensure activities are accessible and welcoming to people from sanctuary-seeking backgrounds. Failure to uphold these principles may affect eligibility for funding.
All funded projects will be requested to send information about their projects, along with any photos (with the necessary permissions), prior to the event so that our communications team can support with promoting your activity as widely as possible. Where an event is open to the public, funded applicants will be expected to add their event details to the We Are Lewisham website in advance of the event.
Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday 29 November. We will not be able to consider late applications.
LGBTQ+ History Month Grant application timeline
Programme launch: Friday 30 October 2026
This years Theme announced: Saturday 14 November 2026
Deadline for applications: 11.59pm on Sunday 29 November 2026
Successful applicants informed: By Monday 21 December 2026
Events take place: Between Monday 1 and Sunday 28 February 2027
Monitoring forms due: Monday 29 March 2027