LGBT+ History Month 2026
What is LGBT+ History Month?
LGBT+ History Month was founded in 2005 by the charity Schools OUT to mark the anniversary of the abolition of Section 28. It is a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture, achievements, while remembering the struggles and activism that paved the way for progress over the years. Across schools, workplaces and organisations the month is marked by events, workshops, talks, exhibitions, and campaigns.
This year’s LGBT+ History Month theme: Science and Innovation
While reflecting on the past, this year’s theme, science and innovation, highlights how data, evidence and research can help us push for progress, drive transformative change and help reform practices now. Using credible data to inform decisions is crucial for creating meaningful and lasting impact.
A brief history of LGBTQ+ rights in the UK
Stonewall has played a very significant and important role in changing the law to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people. This includes:
- The repeal of Section 28: We were founded in direct response to Section 28, the homophobic legislation that prevented young people learning about homosexuality in schools. It took twelve years in Scotland and 14 years in England and Wales to overturn this law.
- Equalising the age of consent: The Sexual Offences Amendment Act (2001) lowered the age of consent for gay and bi men to 16, aligning the age of consent with heterosexuals. After 35 years of inequality, this was a huge victory!
- Lifting the ban on military service: Until 2000, LGBTQ+ people were banned from the British military, often dismissed or stripped of medals. Stonewall campaigned to end this discrimination, leading to the ban’s repeal in 2000.
- Marriage equality: The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 made history by legalising same-sex marriage in England and Wales. Scotland joined the movement in 2014, but Ireland didn’t achieve marriage equality until 2020. These changes were landmark victories for LGBTQ+ rights, and they represented more than just the right to marry - it was about recognition, dignity, and equality.
- The right for LGBTQ+ couples to adopt: The Adoption and Children Act came into effect in 2002 and allowed unmarried couples, including LGBTQ+ couples, to apply for joint adoption.
We’re proud of the change we have helped to make. But there’s still a long way to go
What Stonewall is doing today to fight for LGBTQ+ equality
Today, Stonewall carries that legacy forward by providing leadership through periods of turbulence for LGBTQ+ rights. We work in coalition to protect and advance LGBTQ+ equality across the four UK nations and beyond, shaping policy and legislative agendas through partnership, data and evidence to improve LGBTQ+ lives.
Through campaigning and collaboration with government, changemakers, schools, workplaces and institutions, we work towards a world where every Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer+ person can live free from discrimination, prejudice and inequality.
Why LGBT+ History Month matters
As the landscape begins to shift away from inclusion, we’re confronted with new challenges, it’s a stark reminder of why inclusion matters more than ever, not just in February, but every day.
Despite the progress made towards LGBTQ+ equality throughout history, and with the current shift in anti-LGBTQ+ feeling across the world, the fight for equality is far from over. People in the LGBTQ+ community still face discrimination and exclusion. Globally, we are in the midst of a cultural backlash and moral panic. It is a time of regressive laws, curtailing freedoms and the rise of populist movements. We are reminded yet again that hard won rights are not always secure. We are undoubtedly in another period of turbulence.
Harmful conversion practices remain legal. These practices are abuse and there is no place for them in our society. The government have still not fulfilled their commitment to make anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime an aggravated offence, and many in the LGBTQ+ community still feel and often are unwelcome in sport.
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Together, we can celebrate our past and shape a safer, fairer and more prosperous future.
