British Museum hosts event for LGBT History Month
The British Museum is helping to kick off preparations for next year’s LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) History Month with a special event for teachers and youth workers.
LGBT History Month will be held in February and will be the fifth year the event has been celebrated. It was set up by Schools Out, a group of gay and lesbian teachers.
The event, on November 19th, will include LGBT-themed tours for local children in the morning with a training session for teachers and youth workers in the afternoon.
A reception will be held in the evening.
Politicians attending the reception include Trevor Phillips, chair of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, Ben Bradshaw MP, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Michael Cashman MEP and Cllr Keith Moffit, leader of Camden council.
Guests will also hear presentations from Rukus (black LGBT archive), Brighton Our Story (local LGBT archive), London Metropolitan Archive and the Imperial War Museum North (Military Pride).
Schools Out co-chair Tony Fenwick said: “It’s a real coup to be working with the British Museum and to have speeches from two ministers.”
During the afternoon training session, primary teacher John Harold will describe the opera project he did with his class, based on the true story of a couple of gay penguins in a New York zoo, who raised a chick.
Stoke Newington teacher Elly Barnes will talk about how she introduced LGBT History Month into her school:
The event takes place during Anti Bullying Week.
Schools Out co-chair Sue Sanders explained the link: “Our goal is to remove the stigma from LGBT identities by raising our visibility, particularly among young people. Only then can we hope to foster a youth culture free from the homophobia and transphobia that currently blight our schools.”
Anyone who works with young people can book a free ticket for the training event online at www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk, while tickets are also available for the evening reception.
Teachers also have the opportunity to question some of the speakers at a special surgery later that afternoon.
