LGBT History Month an “important” month for University of Kent

LGBT History Month is being celebrated at the University of Kent throughout the month of February with events taking place all over campus.

The annual, month-long observations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and more, awareness is identified and celebrated by those who identify themselves as LGBT as well as others who want to be part of raising more awareness for LGBT rights.

The theme for this year is, ‘Behind the Lens,’ chosen to shine a light on all people of all people who are LGBT+ who work in this field.

Becky Lamyman, Student Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) Officer at the University of Kent said: “In an ideal world we wouldn’t need things like LGBT History Month, they wouldn’t be necessary – they still are. And it is important to remember that when the month is over, the problems don’t go away… The community still needs visibility.”

This coming Monday, an author talk with Rosa Rankin-Gee, author of ‘Dreamland,’ will take place at the University’s library. Dreamland is a book which students will be able to relate to, set in nearby seaside town, Margate.

Other events on campus include, a Virtual TED Talk of Graysen Hall, ‘Living as a non-binary in a binary world,’ a talk which addresses the day-to-day life struggles of those who identify outside of the gender binary by UKC Masters student.

The LGBTQ+ in Lockdown Exhibition will be on display at Medway’s Drill Hall Library throughout the whole of February, which features the work of student members of the LGBTQ+ community which they created during lockdown.

Lamyman added: “Everyone is welcome, you don’t need to identify within the community, if you are curious, or you have friends you want to support more or you just want to show your support and show that you welcome and value the LGBT+ community then come along. They are fun, free events, you might even learn a new skill out of it.”

Full information on all events taking place on and around campus can be found on the University of Kent’s website, https://www.kent.ac.uk/student/lgbtq-history-month. No sign-up is required, just come along.