LGBT+ History Month* is an annual event in the UK that aims to raise awareness, combat prejudice and celebrate the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community.
Founded in the US in 1994 by teacher Rodney Wilson, the month is now observed in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Greenland, Hungary and the UK. LGBTQ+ History Month was initiated in the UK in 2004 by charity Schools OUT to help increase awareness and promote the equality, safety and visibility in education for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
There have been many changes in the legislation around LGBTQ+ rights since the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, including a change in the law in 2000 to allow gay and bisexual people in the armed forces and the change to allow gay people to adopt children (2002). In 2004, the Civil Partnership Act allowed same-sex couples to form civil partnerships and in 2013, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act introduced civil marriage for same-sex couples in England and Wales. These events are just some that will be reflected on during LGBTQ+ History Month 2023.
CILEx Regulation launched its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy in 2022, championing fair access for all in the legal services market and setting out a series of clear measurable commitments for 2022-24. Ensuring that lawyers are treated fairly, whatever their diverse characteristics, is a key commitment. We continue to work on our own projects and collaborate with other regulators to identify barriers to progression and promote fairness and equal access across the legal sector.
*This year’s theme Behind the Lens provides a valuable opportunity to find out more about people’s `lived experiences’.
