February is LGBT+ History Month and the theme for this year is “Body, Mind and Spirit”. Throughout the month we will be raising awareness of important LGBT+ issues and signposting towards a number of websites and resources that can provide further support and information to you and your learners.
LGBT+ History Month was initiated in the UK by Sue Sanders and Paul Patrick, then co-chairs of Schools OUT UK, and first took place in February 2005.
There is a wide range of free supporting resources available at Lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk to support you and your learners, and we have also collated a list below of charities, organisations and more to signpost your learners to*.
Resources for Educators:
Schools Out UK: http://www.schools-out.org.uk/
Schools OUT UK is an education charity that began life as The Gay Teachers Association in 1974. Their goal is to make schools and educational institutions safe spaces for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) communities as teachers, lecturers and trainers; as pupils and students; as parents; as teaching and learning support staff; as site-officers, catering and cleaning staff; and as headteachers, managers and governors.
The Classroom: http://the-classroom.org.uk/
LGBT teaching.
LGBT charities/organisations – National
Stonewall: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/
LGBT+ charity committed to supporting individuals, schools and education facilities, businesses, organisations and more, by empowering people as advocates and agents of positive change.
MindOut: https://mindout.org.uk/
MindOut is a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people with experience of mental health issues, working to improve the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ communities and to make mental health a community concern.
LGBT Foundation: https://lgbt.foundation/
Established in 1975, LGBT Foundation exists to support the needs of the diverse range of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans. They believe in a fair and equal society where all LGBT people can achieve their full potential. #EqualityWins underpins much of what they do, and they aim to be; ‘here if you need us.’
Centred: https://www.centred.org.uk/
Centred is a community organisation run by diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) people. Their work focuses on diverse LGBTQ experiences, especially where these intersect with experiences concerning race, gender, disability, deafness, age and minority faith. They work with friends, family and allies who also wish to achieve equality for all.
Mermaids: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/
Mermaids is one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities, empowering thousands of people with its secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources, events and residential weekends. They also seek to educate and inform wider society on gender identity by helping professionals accommodate and reassure gender-diverse young people.
LGBT charities/organisations – Wales
Umbrella Cymru: https://www.umbrellacymru.co.uk/
Gender and Sexual Diversity Support Specialists offering a range of specialist support services.
LGBT Cymru: https://www.lgbtcymru.org.uk/
Providing general information, advice and confidential support in many areas of life and various issues that LGBT people, their family, and friends may experience. Qualified staff and trained volunteers are available to help with all LGBT matters.
Stonewall Cymru: https://www.stonewallcymru.org.uk/
Helping shape a Wales where people are free to be themselves, organisations help drive change, public attitudes improve, prejudice is challenged, and laws protect LGBT people. Stonewall Cymru facilitates sustainable improvement through business and community partners, and role models, and allies. Their campaigning and communications reaches further and deeper into communities and promotes positive attitudes towards LGBT people. Stonewall Cymru works with legislators and policy leads to shape Wales’ framework of LGBT rights.
Pride Cymru: https://www.pridecymru.com/
Pride Cymru is a volunteer-led charity that works to promote the elimination of discrimination be it on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or ability.
BiCymru: http://www.bicymru.org.uk/
All-Wales network for bi people, people attracted to more than one gender, and those who think they may be bi or attracted to more than one gender.
*Sweet Education Ltd has not been paid to promote any charity or organisation, nor are we affiliated with them in anyway. This is not an exhaustive list of resources and purely intended as helpful signpost towards supporting resources.