Celebrating LGBT History Month 2025: A time for reflection and progress

February is LGBT+ History Month. Here Phil Bakstad from our Diversity and Inclusion team explains what the month means, how we are marking it at LJMU and the support and networks available for students and staff.

LGBT+ History Month 2025: 'Activism and Social Change' 

LGBT+ History Month (LGBTHM) is an annual celebration of the lives, struggles, and achievements of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. It’s celebrated in the UK every February, to mark the month in which Section 28, a law that prevented the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality, was abolished in 2003. It's a chance to reflect on the progress made, the challenges still faced and the importance of collective action in advancing LGBT+ rights.

The theme for this year’s LGBT+ History Month is ‘Activism and Social Change’, recognising that hard-won rights have been achieved through the efforts and sacrifices of both well-known individuals and local advocates using their platforms, such as Marie and Mike Causer, the parents of Michael Causer, who died following a homophobic attack in Liverpool in 2008. 

What we are doing at LJMU

At LJMU, we want everyone to feel able to be their authentic self and recognise that when individuals and communities feel that they truly belong, this supports their capacity to achieve to their fullest potential. As part of this, LJMU has recently launched a new policy for Trans and Non-Binary students and staff, clearly setting out our commitment and providing a robust framework for how we will support Trans and Non-Binary members of our community.  

Despite a broad number of legal protections for LGBTQ+ people in the UK in 2025, now is not the time to be complacent. Discrimination, hate crime and harassment against LGBTQ+ individuals is once again on the rise.

As a university, we are in the process of finalising our Diversity and Inclusion objectives for the next four years, in accordance with our obligations as a Public Sector Body. These objectives will include a refreshed set of activities and initiatives squarely focussed on continuing to celebrate LGBTQ+ members of our community and provide opportunities for active allyship across the university. 

Support for students

LJMU has a range of support for LGBTQI+ students including a support page which outlines dedicated contacts at the university for wellbeing and practical support.
Find out more on our Student Support pages.

Staff: Join the LGBTIQ+ staff network

Our LGBTIQ+ Staff Network organises a range of activities throughout the academic year which is an excellent way of meeting other members of the community. 

You can find out more about the LGBTIQ+ network and all other LJMU staff networks on our website.

For any further information please contact the Diversity and Inclusion team at equality@LJMU.ac.uk

Marking LGBT+ History Month 2025

The Diversity and Inclusion team were pleased to mark LGBTQ+ History Month earlier this month with a seminar for staff and students from Darren Mooney, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Mersey and West Lancs NHS Teaching Hospitals Trust. 

Darren, an LJMU graduate, discussed the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement from the 1960s to today alongside analysis of the changing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals, through the lens of a student activist turned EDI practitioner. Threaded through the discussion was the common theme of ‘allyship’. While LGBTQ+ individuals have fought for their legal rights over the last half century, this is not a fight that any community can win alone.

LGBT activities throughout the year

One of the final activities of each academic year at LJMU is our Liverpool Pride event when students, staff and their friends and family meet at the Student Life Building for a celebratory morning of family-friendly activities, prior to representing the university in the Liverpool Pride March at St George’s Hall. This is allyship at its best and something we should rightly be proud of. 

Liverpool Pride is but one day each year and, particularly at the moment, the LGBTQ+ community need allies to continue to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights all year round. 
Keep your eyes peeled for more opportunities to learn, engage and support throughout this academic year and beyond.