Great optimism for the future in LGBT+ History Month
Annual event launched by forum+
Saturday, 10th February — By Frankie Lister-Fell
At the launch event at forum+ Cllr Roulin Khondoker, Tessa Havers-Strong, Benali Hamdache, Cllr Nazma Rahman, Cllr Adam Harrison, Cllr Rishi Madlani and Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz
A SPECIAL series of activities and events is coming to Camden and Islington as LGBT+ History Month gets under way.
This year’s celebrations, organised by independent charity forum+, has a healthcare theme and comes under the banner “Medicine – Under the Scope”.
A programme of art workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, guided walks, history talks and spoken word was unveiled at a launch event in Proposition Studios in Chalk Farm.
Director of forum+ Tessa Havers-Strong said: “LGBT people have faced barriers and discrimination when accessing medical services and for so long being LGBT was medicalised.”
May 17 is celebrated every year as the date the World Health Organisation finally agreed – in 1990 – to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
“Thankfully the situation is much better today,” Ms Havers-Strong said. “LGBT+ healthcare workers have made, and continue to make, enormous contributions to medicine. They comprise 5.2 per cent of the NHS at the last count.”
A forum+ event last week included an evening exploring the history of LGBT+ lives through “fascinating and potentially challenging items” from the Royal College of Physicians archives, museum and heritage library.
Librarian Katie Birkwood and assistant archivist Felix Lancashire will be talking about finds in rare books.
Ms Havers-Strong reflected on the gains that LGBT+ rights have made internationally, including the decriminalisation of same-sex marriage in Singapore, Antigua and Barbuda.
Here in Camden and Islington, she said the “strength and visibility” of the queer community gives the charity “great optimism for the future”.
She added: “The rich LGBT history of our area is highlighted in this very special collection of activities and events for Camden and Islington LGBT History Month 2024. We hope that you’ll join with us throughout February. Happy LGBT History Month!”
The charity promotes equality for LGBT+ people in Camden and Islington by hosting social groups and events which work to reduce social isolation and loneliness. A full list of events can be found on the forum+ website but here is a taste of what’s on offer:
* Tonight (Thursday) you can get involved with some drag bingo at Zodiac Bar – Eileen Eiffell will be warming up the weekend from 7pm.
* Tomorrow (Friday), an evening of music and entertainment is promised at Conference Centre in St Pancras Hospital with an exhibition of more than 40 LGBT+ artists going on display.
* A Gay Barnsbury and Holloway Walking Tour is setting off from the Cally Clock Tower Centre at midday on Sunday.
* LGBT cooks will be spicing things up at St Luke’s Community Centre on Tuesday from 6pm. Booking is essential.
* Also on Tuesday, a Black Lesbian Discussion Group is taking place at Gay’s the Word in Marchmont Street. l forumplus.org.uk