LGBT History Month
LGBT+ History Month
LGBT+ History Month takes place every February across the UK, celebrating all LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities, and taking time to reflect on the struggles of the past, and what still needs to change.
The 2025 theme is Activism and Social Change, and is a landmark year as it celebrates 20 years of UK LGBT+ History Month and 50 years of its parent organisation, Schools Out
Have you seen the Pride flags flying on the Colleges and the decorated College Receptions? Not sure what the flags mean? Check out the blog post to learn more
LGBT+ History Month Blog Posts
Blog posts that aim to encourage discussion, raise awareness and reflect the lived experiences of our LGBTQIA+ community here at Kent
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Legacy and Impact: Sue Sanders
Kent invited the founder of LGBT History Month, Sue Sanders, to reflect on its legacy and impact.
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What is LGBT History Month and why do we celebrate it?
Find out more about the meaning behind LGBT History Month and why we celebrate it at Kent.
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Kent Star & LGBTQ+ Leader Sid
Hear from LGBTQ+ Leader Sid and how they have made a positive impact on our LGBTQIA community.
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LGBTQ+ flags and what they represent
Each flag represents a specific community of people. Learn more about the meaning behind the flags.
Jayne Ozanne
Jayne Ozanne was made a Doctor of the University in November 2024 in recognition of her advocacy against discrimination. She is a prominent gay Christian who works to ensure full inclusion of all LGBT+ people, particularly LGBT+ people of faith. Listen to her talk about her work in her acceptance speech.
Kent Union LGBT History Month
Don't forget to check out Kent Union's LGBT History Month webpages for loads of events, activities and resources, including the Curiosity Hub to discover more!
Affirmations Wall
Find the Affirmations Wall all month in the Templeman Library (main Reception Hall). This space is to write notes of love and positivity to your younger self, your future self, your friends, your loved ones, anyone you think would benefit from a positive message.
LGBT+ History Month events
LGBT+ History Month takes place every February across the UK, celebrating all LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities, and taking time to reflect on the struggles of the past, and what still needs to change.
Help us celebrate where we are, and be part of the change towards a truly inclusive community.
There are no events matching these dates and filters.
Featured story
LGBT+ Icons 2025
Every year national LGBT HM selects five historical figures whose work embodies the national theme to highlight.
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Octavia Hill 1838-1912
Co-founder of The National Trust and a social reformer.
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Ivor Cummings 1913-1992
Cummings advocated for racial equality and integration in post-war Britain
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Annie Kenney 1879-1953
A suffragette and labour activist, Kenney was instrumental in the fight for women’s voting rights
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Charlie Kiss 1965-2022
Anti-nuclear activist and 1st transgender man to stand for Parliament
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Olaudah Equiano c.1745-1797
Abolitionist and writer who shed light on the horrors of slavery and championed human rights.
LGBTQIA Voices Project
In 2024 Kent Union ran a research project into the experiences of LGBTQIA students at Kent. Learn more about that work and the results of the project
LGBTQIA+ support
We have a number of LGBTQIA+ support initiatives for our students and staff LGBTQIA+ communities.
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Trans Support Group
We have a free, peer-support group for all trans, intersex and non-binary gender people at Kent.
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Kent Union LGBTQ+ Network
The LGBTQ+ Network acts as a voice for LGBTQ+ Students in both the University and the Union.
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LGBTQ+ Staff Network
Our network encourages people from all sexual orientations and gender identities to get involved.
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Gender Affirmation Fund
To support students, the University of Kent created the Gender Affirmation Fund
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Report and Support
More information on our reporting tool for staff and students and accessing further support
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LGBTQIA+ Student Life Guide
As recommended by LGBTQIA students!
Explore More
We have developed a huge amount of resources for you to learn and discover more.
LGBTQIA+ History at Kent
We have taken a deep dive into the Special Collections Archives at the University of Kent to explore our LGBTQIA+ history. If you know of anything that we should add, let us know on StudentEDI@kent.ac.uk
1973-1974
The University Gay Liberation Group organises and hosts the 1st National Lesbian Conference.
There are links with radical women, political Left and national gay liberation groups, and they face letter attacks by the National Front in the press.
1975-1976
GaySoc are mentioned for the first time and are one of the first Union societies established. They organise a successful National Festival of Gay Arts. They love discos!
1978-1979
GayLine is established. It was open every Saturday between 8pm and 8am and run by gay men and women.
The Student Union Handbook mentions GaySoc, GayLine and a Women's Group
A Gay Christians group is established.
1986-1987
The Student Union Handbook includes information on the Women's Office, Niteline and Gayline and a two-page article on 'Exploding the Myths About Aids'.
1987-1988
The Student Union fights against Section 28 with the campaign 'Get Your Clause Out Of Our Lives'.
1988-1989
Hearsay, the Women's Handbook, mentions the Canterbury Lesbian Group and the Canterbury Lesbian Line, and a student interview about being an out lesbian at UKC. The Women's Officer promotes gay rights.
1989-1990
A Positive Image Group 'PIG' is created. A new 'Smash the Section' campaign against Section 28 is launched. Welfare information about Aids and safer sex is included in the Kent Student Union Annual Report.
1996-1997
The University of Kent Student Union has a Gay and Bisexual Rights Vice President and a Lesbian and Bisexual Rights Vice President.
There is a campaign to 'Paint The Cathedral Pink' and advice for gay-friendly nights out in the Student Union manual.
2015-2016
Kent celebrates LGBT History Month as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations.
The University sponsors the first Pride March in Canterbury. Staff and students march together.
The LGBTQ+ Mythbusters are created.
2017-2018
On-campus support group for Trans and Non-Binary people, TG Pals, is set up.
1st Trans Student Support Policy for students transitioning created.
LGBT+ Role Models Exhibition 'Out and Proud' featured LGBT people and allies sharing their stories
2019-2020
Kent Union introduces the LGBTQ+ Network to replace the Part-Time Officer roles.
The University creates safety guidance for LGBTQ+ students seeking to study or travel abroad.
2021-2022
Kent launches the Rainbow Lanyards for staff and students
The University hosts the Lambeth Conference and holds its first on-campus Pride march as part of the protest activity
Kent sponsors Medway Pride
Students create a LGBTQ+ In Lockdown exhibition
2022-2023
Kent launches the Gender Affirmation Fund; a pot of money to support students who identify as transgender, non-binary or gender neutral and can be used to help support students with the costs of gender affirming items.