21 Feb 2025
Its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans (LGBT+) History Month UK 2025. This year’s theme: activism and social change. Throughout history LGBTQ+ people have been activists and helped drive social change, making the world a more inclusive place.
Find out more about the campaign and how you can support the LGBT+ community below:
Who is LGBT+ History Month for?
LGBT+ History Month is for everyone; whether you work in education, a museum, a library or an art gallery, a business, a service, or are a member of a network/social group or an individual.
When is it celebrated?
It is celebrated every February across the UK and was founded in 2004 by Schools OUT UK co-chairs, Paul Patrick & Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders. It was first celebrated in February 2005 and 2025 will be its 20th year.
Why was it founded?
For so long LGBT+ people’s history was hidden, following the repeal of Section 28 Schools OUT created UK LGBT+ History Month to:
claim our past
celebrate our present
create our future
Schools Out wanted to create a dedicated space to celebrate our rich and diverse history, herstory and their story.
How do we help you celebrate LGBT+ History Month?
Every year Schools OUT sets the theme for LGBT+ History Month and provides free resources for education settings, businesses, services, organisations and individuals to help them celebrate and ‘Usualise’ LGBT+ lives in their full diversity.
Why is it called LGBT+ History Month and not LGBTQ+ History Month?
We wanted to ensure that LGBT+ History Month celebrates LGBTQIA+ communities in all our diversity. Adding ‘Q’ for ‘Queer’ was considered but we decided to use ‘plus’ instead to include all our communities, and because for some of our communities the term ‘Queer’ is associated with a time it was used in a negative context. We understand that your organisation may choose to refer to LGBT+ History Month as LGBTQ+ History Month for your own communications.
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There are some ways you can get involved in supporting the LGBT+ community:
Sport Changes Lives report by LEAP Sports Scotland
A collection of impact stories looking at how LGBTI people have changed their lives using sport, and the power of sport in relation to our health, wellbeing and identity.
Become a partner club with LEAP Sports Scotland
The Rainbow Lottery - LEAP Sports Scotland
There is a chance to play The Rainbow Lottery which supports LEAP Sports Scotland to improve the physical and mental health & wellbeing outcomes of LGBTIQ+ people in Scotland.
LGBT+ History Month 2025 Quiz - Schools OUT
sportscotland Brightspace E-Learning Course - Introduction to LGBTIQ+