LGBTQ+ History Month is an annual event that runs throughout the month of February. It recognises the current struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, as well as events throughout history that have shaped society today.
The achievements of LGBTQ+ figures are often overlooked, particularly in the school curriculum. In response, LGBT History Month aims to recognise the sacrifices made by the community which have led to historic milestones like the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967.
Incident and Risk Co-ordinator, Adam Yates-Galliford, has kindly shared his thoughts on one such individual: "One person I feel has made a massive contribution to LGBTQ rights is Peter Tatchell. Peter brought the issue to the forefront of the media in his tireless fight not only for the rights of LGBTQ people, but for human rights in general, at a time when the government of the UK was increasingly hostile to LGBTQ rights.
"Peter, and people like him, have made it easier for people like me who found ‘coming out’ difficult and frightening, to believe that maybe it might just be OK. Without him, and people like him, I would never have found whatever level of courage it took, to admit who I was to my family and friends.
"He is one of a group of people who (quite literally in some cases) fought, so that I can now live in a society that is largely accepting of my sexuality.
"The debt we owe to such people is incalculable and our duty is to make sure that their legacy is never undermined by the erosion of the rights that they fought so hard for."
Deputy Head of Safeguarding, Steph Ingram, said: "For me, Dr Gerri Wells’ leadership in both general practice and LGBT health advocacy shows how representation in medicine shapes safer, more inclusive care. As an NHS leader, I’m reminded that visibility isn’t just personal - it improves systems, standards and patient outcomes."
Theme for 2026 - Science and Innovation
Science and innovation impacts our daily lives, from the technology we use to developments in healthcare, as well as helping us to address global challenges such as climate change and access to clean energy.
Diverse teams are essential for the development of solutions which benefit everyone, yet we might often struggle to name LGBT+ scientists and innovators. The 2026 theme for LGBT+ History Month aims to highlight the contributions of LGBT+ people historically and today, and to raise awareness of the people behind them.
Alongside celebrating LGBT+ people, it is important to highlight the harm that LGBT+ people have historically faced as a result of the ways in which science has been explored and misapplied in the past, such as through the medicalisation and pathologisation of LGBT+ identities, and how we still need to address this today.
Each year, five LGBT+ historical figures are chosen by the month's organisers to be highlighted. This year the following have chosen:
- Barbara Burford, a medical researcher who established NHS equality and diversity guidelines
- Charles Beyer, a locomotive engineer and a founding member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers
- Elke Mackenzie, a lichenologist who researched lichens in Antarctica
- Jemma Redmond, a biotechnologist who developed 3D bioprinters to create tissues and organs
- Robert Boyle, a founder of modern chemistry and of the modern scientific method