From the largest student LGBT+ event in Europe to a discussion at the University’s Fyvie Hall about why a London AIDS memorial matters, the University offered an eclectic and varied programme of events in support of LGBT+ History Month throughout February.
The theme for this year’s LGBT+ History Month was Behind The Lens, celebrating the enormous contribution made to cinema by LGBTQ+ people from behind the lens as directors, screenwriters, editors, costume designers, musicians, among others.
The Month kicked off by Museums, Gallery and Contemporary Culture MA student Martha Jennings’s artwork being showcased at the Loudest Whispers LGBT+ annual exhibition at St Pancras Hospital. The exhibition opened on Friday 3 February and visitors can enjoy it until Friday 12 May 2023.
Loudest Whispers features the works of more than 40 artists from the LGBT+ community and celebrates those working in TV, cinema and photography. Martha’s Memoria Technica explores the memorialisation of LGBTQI+ people contributing to the film, television, and photography industries.
The University hosted Europe’s largest LGBT+ event National Student Pride 2023 from Friday 10 February to Sunday 12 February 2023 at Marylebone Campus.
Highlights included the National Student Pride Awards. The awards recognise the efforts of students, societies, universities and colleges nationwide, in creating a safe and thriving environment for LGBTQIA+ people.
On Saturday 11 February 2023, panel discussions explored addiction and sobriety in the LGBTQI+ community, the experiences of people who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth and the experiences of LGBTQI+ people who have immigrated or sought asylum. Throughout Saturday, the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ inclusive careers fair took place, with over 80 LGBTQ+ inclusive employers.
Dancers on the main stage at National Student Pride (Credit: Dave George/Aaron Hargreaves)
Victoire Georget discussing bisexual representation in cinema (Credit: Richard Kaby)
Ash Kotak and Professor Pippa Catterall speaking at the Why A London AIDS Memorial Matters event
Westminster students presented on LGBTQ+ representations in film at St Pancras Hospital on Wednesday 15 February 2023 in a presentation called Nobody’s Perfect.
Pippa Catterall, Professor of History and Policy at Westminster, introduced the students, who explored how LGBTQ+ people have historically been represented, marginalised, and stereotyped in films.
Students Martha Jennings, Maddalena Tenuti, Emma Broderick, Lois Pearson, Isla Ley and Victoire Georget explored a variety of topics, including the lesbian gaze in film history, how lesbian filmmakers are working to change LGBTQ+ representation in film and television, and the importance of representation on screen for young LGBTQ+ people.
On Thursday 16 February 2023, Professor Catterall, who is also Chair of AIDS Memory UK, and the organisation’s Founder Ash Kotak, took part in a Westminster Conversations event discussing why London AIDS memorial matters.
Ash discussed the impact of AIDS on British society and the stigma faced by the LGBTQ+ community 1980s. He said: “When creating the AIDS memorial, we’re creating the world we want to live in. One of acceptance, one of understanding. We are fighting so that we can have these conversations.”
The pair discussed the organisation’s plans to create a high-quality public piece of art as a London AIDS monument near Tottenham Court Road.
On Tuesday 21 February 2023, Westminster Q+ network co-hosted an open Miq+ night with Westminster Students’ Union in the Hideaway at Regent Campus. The friendly and inclusive event brought together the University of Westminster’s LGBTQ+ community and allies together for an evening and fun entertainment.
The University brought the series of events supporting this year’s LGBT+ History Month to a close on Wednesday 22 February 2023 with a well-attended and hugely entertaining talk Soho: Saints, Sinners and In-Betweeners by Chris Barlow at Fyvie Hall. The event was in partnership with Westminster LGBT+ Forum, which Chris is Acting-Chair of.
Chris explained the distinctive history of Soho and its emergence as an important location in the cultural, social and sexual geographies of London. He also drew attention to the way in which changing property markets and activities are currently impacting on Soho’s character. Chris also used his talk to launch the Westminster LGBT+ Forum’s efforts, with the Soho Society, to create a LGBTQ+ Centre in Soho.
LGBT+ History Month closed on Tuesday 28 February with Professor Catterall chairing the Annual Safeguarding Students in Higher Education conference, at which she presented on Protecting LGBTQ+ Students.
Professor Catterall stressed the importance of emotional empowerment by valuing the lived experience of LGBTQ+ students and working with them on “the fantastic contributions they have made to a very successful LGBT+ History Month at Westminster.”
Find out more about upcoming equality, diversity and inclusion events at the University.
