Category: LGBTQ+

Manchester is a city well-known for being at the forefront of the struggle for equality in the United Kingdom. Examples in history that may come to mind include the brave people who campaigned for political representation in 1819, resulting in the Peterloo Massacre and the female suffrage movement, notably the suffragettes led by Manchester’s Pankhurst family. For LGBT+ History Month, we should pause to consider another example of Manchester-based activism. The Section 28 Demonstration that took place on 20 February 1988.

IDAHOBLIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia or International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination), is a key date in the EDI calendar, marking the start of summer celebrations of LGBTQ+ acceptance and inclusion and prompting reflections on how far we have yet to go.

From drag nuns, hilarious placards, handbag throwing (literally) and mass demonstration, Manchester’s queer community has always made its mark in a wholly unique way. This year’s theme is Activism and Social Change.

As part of my L5 CIPD HR apprenticeship, I was tasked with developing and implementing a people strategy with a focus on celebrating equality and diversity. With little scope to do so within my own role, I reached out to the EDI directorate to see if there were any upcoming projects I could get involved with. The response and support I received was brilliant and reflects how collaborative UoM colleagues are.

One in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, and World Cancer Day allows us each year to reflect on our work in cancer research. Sadly, cancer health disparities affect certain people and communities more than others – the most underrepresented is LGBTQIA+ community.

We often focus on American examples when we consider the history of trans activism – remembering flashpoints of history like the Stonewall riots and key figures like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Leslie Feinberg. It’s important, however, to look at the history of trans activism in the UK. This history can illuminate the current landscape of political and media debates about trans issues.