THE DISTRICT is set to host its biggest ever celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month with more than 200 events despite the lockdown.

With plays, poetry and panels or dance workshops and light shows, there are plenty of ways to get involved and come together to mark the special month.

What is LGBTQ+ History Month?

An aim of LGBTQ+ History Month is to bring together people of all ages in order to learn from each other’s personal experiences. 

LGBTQ+ history month is held in February each year to celebrate and recognise the cultures, past and present, of LGBTQ+ people and others across the sexual orientation spectrum.

LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning, with the ‘+’ representing a range of different sexual identities.

The month long celebration of LGBTQ+ history and culture will get underway on Monday, February 1 at 11am with a special virtual flag raising ceremony featuring a diverse range of speakers from the LGBTQ+ community as well as representatives from the Council, Bradford 2025, Bradford Cathedral and NHS.

Bradford city centre will also be lit in traditional LGBTQ+ rainbow colours throughout the month, with City Hall, Margaret McMillan Tower, Foster Square arches being lit up along with city park and both city centre theatres.

There are 283 events taking place which will be delivered online, aimed at both younger and older audiences, as well some intergenerational activities.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “LGBTQ+ history month is all about celebrating solidarity and difference, while recognising the role that our LGBTQ+ community has played in shaping our district. We are delighted to be raising the Pride flag again to show our support for inclusivity and acceptance of all people.”

Here's some of the highlights...

  • Beyond Shadows, February 1 - A visually stunning short dance film celebrating Bradford district’s LGBTQ+ communities and allies, showing the vibrancy that shines through us all. The event is supported by Bradford LiT and Kala Sangam. No booking necessary, visit vincevirr.com for more information.
  • Vintage Confabulation (ongoing throughout February) – Hosted by Bradford Equity Partnership, this is a collection of recorded Zoom conversations, poetry readings, stories, and interviews with older LGBT people from Bradford. Listen to the voices of those who are part of the district’s rich LGBTQ+ heritage. To find out more, email: tahir@equitypartnership.org.uk
  • Section 28: Then and Now, February 9 - 2021 marks 18 years since Section 28 was repealed. This free, virtual event, hosted by the University of Bradford, provides an overview of what Section 28 was, the political environment when it was introduced and its relevance in 2021. This is an essential event for understanding LGBTQ+ history in the UK. Find out more bradford.ac.uk/events/
  • Peace OUT Show + Tell from The Peace Museum, February 17 – A casual show and tell event sharing the stories of items from The Peace Museum LGBTQ+ collection alongside objects the people of Bradford have brought to share. Find out more about this fascinating and free event peacemuseum.org.uk/events
  • Cllr Richard Dunbar in conversation with actress Miriam Margolyes, February 28 – LGBTQ+ History Month reaches a fantastic close as LGBTQ+ champion, Cllr Dunbar is joined by the popular and critically-acclaimed actress Miriam Margolyes to discuss her early life, career and views on issues affecting the world today. The conversation will be held via Zoom and details about how to join are TBC.

"We do have a voice"

Cllr Richard Dunbar, Bradford Council’s LGBT+ Champion, said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome back LGBTQ+ History Month to our district.

“This year we have an amazing programme of exciting events which represent contributions from a wide range of individuals and organisations who work hard all year round to not only inform the wider public about LGBTQ+ history, but who do everything possible to ensure the places we live, work and play are as open, inclusive and accepting as possible.

“Our community has never had it easy and the rights we enjoy today have been gained through struggle, protest and an unrelenting determination to say we do matter, we do have a voice and we can make a positive impact on the world.

“COVID has presented us with many challenges as a society and the isolation experienced by members of the LGBTQ+ community is why we were keen to ensure this programme of events is not only entertaining but also clearly points towards the places where people can get support.

“One thing I know about our community and the Bradford District is that we are extremely creative, resilient, radical and compassionate. Whilst we can’t meet in person these events are about bringing people together, providing some much needed entertainment and giving you some hope about the type of district we want to create.”

Kersten England, chief executive at Bradford Council, said: “We’re really excited to raise the flag once again for LGBTQ+ history month. Although we’ve been presented with an additional challenge of not being able to meet in person this year, partners are still delivering a full programme which shows the district’s support for our LGBTQ+ community locally, and demonstrates nationally how we are backing the aims of LGBTQ+ equality.”

To find out more about LGBTQ+ History Month events, you can visit Bradford Council’s website and access the full programme.

Rick Shaw, Bradford 2025 Bid Director, said “Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture bid is proud to support this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month. Bradford has a legacy of communities coming together to fight for equality – and our LGBTQ+ history is an important part of that story. A chance to come together, learn something new, demand change or let your hair down, we look forward to highlighting and celebrating the breadth of LGBTQ+ culture in Bradford and beyond.”