Celebrating LGBT+ History Month
To mark this year's LGBT+ History Month, Kingston University's staff and students have come together to honour this year's theme, Behind the Lens. Celebrating the LGBTQIA community and their contribution to cinema and film from behind the lends, the theme will be explored through many avenues throughout the month, from individual pieces to big ticket events that aren't to be missed.
The University's LGBTQIA+ staff network and students directly support those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and/or asexual. We recognise the importance of promoting a more inclusive environment through increasing visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community and advancing education so that LGBTQIA+ people can reach their full potential.
LGBT+ History Month is a time to unite and celebrate Kingston University's LGBTQIA+ community and its allies, to remember the progress that has been made but also to reflect on what more can be done to promote inclusivity. This past year has been an exciting year for staff and students. We attended Black Pride and Pride at London – our first ever time marching as a University. We have celebrated alumna's success within the LGBTQIA+ community, held events and rolled out LGBTQIA+ educational workshops. And not forgetting this month's LGBT+ History Month schedule of events. There are loads of ways staff and students can get involved - and we look forward to another exciting month ahead."
Stand TALL Think BIG (LGBTQIA+) Staff Network co-chairs, Simon Collins, Yvalia Febrer and Stephen Mason
What's on
- Friday 3 February 2023
- In person: Penrhyn Road
- Audience: Staff and students. To book, please visit KUExtra.
We are delighted to host Dr Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, aka Lady Phyll at Kingston University. A human rights and British political activist who has worked tirelessly to fight for the rights of LGBTQI people, Lady Phyll is also the Co-Founder of UK Black Pride, an event which has run since 2005 and brought visibility and community to people of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Caribbean-heritage in Europe.
- Tuesday 7 February 2023
- In person: Penrhyn Road
- Audience: Staff and students. To book, please visit KUExtra.
Based on a radical reworking of Monteverdi's opera L'Orfeo (1607), Orfeas 2021 is, according to its makers, 'a retro-futurist story of utopian politics, ideological conflicts, supernatural leaders and totalitarian spectacle, which pits 'cyberpunk queer pirates against rainbow homo-capitalist normies' and 'revolution vs reformism; logic vs affect'. This contemporary take on the myth of Orpheus oscillates between 'operatic melodrama, queer DIY collage, 80s-inspired post-trash hauntology and VR/AI aesthetics', thereby creating 'a kaleidoscopic take on political purity, alternative histories and institutional critique'.
- Wednesday 8 February 2023
- Online
- Audience: Staff and students. To book, please visit KUExtra.
Professor Baker will be speaking about his book, 'Outrageous! The story of section 28 and the battle for LGBT+ education'
It will be 20 years in 2023 since the section 28* legislation was repealed. As Professor Baker says, "Although Section 28 was repealed in 2003, recent events around the world have shown that LGBTQ+ rights can be quickly eroded so it has never been more pertinent to tell the story of Section 28 and to be inspired by the activists who fought against it."
- Tuesday 21 February 2023
- In person: Penrhyn Road
- Audience: Staff and students. To book, please visit KUExtra.
- A joint event between Library and Learning Services and the STTB staff network for LGBTQ+ History Month with Caryn Franklin
We are delighted to welcome visiting Professor Caryn Franklin to talk to us about her new book - Skewed: Decoding media bias, co-written with Professor Keon West. Caryn will speak on cultural messaging around identity which may include race, gender, gender non-conformity, sexual orientation, age, and attractiveness, and why our brains are complicit in upholding stereotypes and bias.
- Wednesday 22 February 2023
- Online
- Audience: Staff and students. To book, please visit KUExtra.
The theme for LBGT+ history month 2023 is 'behind the lens' so we are delighted that Professor Helen Laville, our own Provost will be speaking during LGBT+ History month on Politics behind the lens: Sexual Identity in Cold War Hollywood
Widely published in the field of post-war American history, Professor Laville's research interests span gender, international relations, civil rights and Cold War film.
Meet our staff and students
As a Kingston University alumna who came out during my degree, I feel that the University culture gave me the space and confidence to be open about who I am. As our community celebrates the achievements and honours the sacrifices of those who came before us, I feel we must also look to the future and keep up the momentum on the work there is yet to do."
Abi Baldwin, alumna
My advice to anyone who feels like they don't fit within the normal LGBT+ spaces is that there are spaces for you and people who look like you and are experiencing the same thing as you. Find those spaces, those spaces that make you feel at home and allow you to feel validated, affirmed, loved, and inspired."
Tamara Reid, Inclusive Curriculum Consultants programme lead
It is inspiring to see the energy and passion radiating from our learners when they see their lives, backgrounds and identities reflected in their curricula and education settings. LGBT+ History Month is one important way to support our mission to diversify University curricula, challenging hetero-normative assumptions and recognising and celebrating the contribution of LGBT+ communities across the world. In so doing, we are enhancing the learning for us all and equipping ourselves to live and work competently and responsively in our diverse societies."
Annie Hughes, Head of Teaching and Learning Enhancement
LGBTQAI+ is not just another history month. It is a moment of reflection and exhilaration. We reflect on things we have achieved, and some of us have taken them for granted.
From MJ Rodriguez, to Russel T Davies and Aaron Rose Philip, we are changing the landscape, and we demand tolerance. However, there is much more to achieve. Let's remind ourselves that 2021 was the deadliest year of violence for transgender people in the world.
With History Month we say that we don't want equality, we demand tolerance and a fair share within society. We are different, unique and proud. We are breaking the norms, rising and demanding representation."
Yannis Vlassis, LGBT+ Deputy Chair of Campaign Committee, Union of Kingston Students
LGBT+ in the news
Flying the LGBT+ flags
The rainbow flag is the most synonymous symbol used to represent the LGBT+ community. However, the flag and its associations have evolved. Kingston University has embraced the Pride flag this year by displaying banners around the campuses and creating a choice of LGBT+ inspired Teams backgrounds.
Below, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, Simon Collins, gives a brief explanation of the Pride flags. The list isn't exhaustive but illustrates a range of the flags developed over time that, through the colours and symbols used, represent the LGBT+ growing community.
The following video also gives a short history of the rainbow flag.
This is the traditional and well recognised flag used to represent the LGBTQ+ community. Politician Harvey Milk urged Gilbert Baker the artist, vexillographer and gay rights activist in 1978 to design a flag and it first appeared at the Pride Parade in San Francisco.
Originally there were eight colours, indicating hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic and art, indigo for harmony and violet for spirit. However, the hot pink was too difficult to print, and the turquoise was dropped to allow for six colours and the indigo changed to a more standard blue. The rainbow is found in Chinese, Egyptian and Native American History and in Christian teachings as a sign of hope.
To better represent LGBTQ+ people of colour and their experiences, Philadelphia-based campaign group More Colour More Pride debuted a brand new eight-stripe flag in 2017 to coincide with Pride Month.
In 2018, Daniel Quasar then designed what is known as the ‘Progress' Pride Flag, which uses the six traditional stripes of the pride flag and includes at the hoist the colours of the transgender pride flag - light blue, pink and white - and black and brown stripes in the form of triangles to represent marginalised LGBTQ+ communities of colour.
In 2021, a yellow triangle with a purple circle in it has been added, to represent intersex people, community and rights. The new Pride flag was designed by Valentino Vecchietti, of Intersex Equality Rights UK. The Intersex Pride flag is a purple circle on a yellow backdrop. Designed by advocacy group Intersex Human Rights Australia in 2013, it intentionally stays away from traditionally gendered colours of blue and pink to celebrate the intersex community.
Listen to the Queer Talk Podcast
Kingston University's Dr David Nilsson discusses the history of the word 'Queer'.
The episode explores how reclaiming a word requires respect, understanding and tolerance.
LGBT+ resources
- LGBTQ resources on Student Minds
- LGBT Health
- Mindout – mental health charity
- MindoutPlus – support for over-50s
- Open Doors London – support for over-50s feeling isolated
- The National Centre for Transgender Equality
- Proudtrust – find a local group
- Stonewall – help and advice
- Stonewall's tool for finding resources in your area
- Switchboard – LGBT helpline
- Kingston University wellbeing services – access support and resources
- Kingston Kanopy – streaming service with LGBT+ stories
- LGBT+ History Month website
LGBT+ collection
To celebrate our diversity, inclusivity and inclusion the STTB staff network have purchased a range of books and e-books, available in the Libraries.
These are on a range of topics related to LGBTQ+ Do take a browse of the list of resources. They may help inform your work, teaching, practice or understanding, or challenge your perceptions or preconceptions. Happy browsing and reading.