2012 LGBT History Month in London

February marks the UK’s 8th LGBT History Month (which was first established in 2005 to help educate and inform the general population about Britain’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities).

LGBT History Month usually involves a series of free events, educational talks and celebrations and 2012 is no different. There are many event taking place in London this year – here’s a very quick run-down of some of the ones that I think look interesting (including one that I’m involved in):

• Camden LGBT Forum have organised a month-long series of events in the boroughs of Camden and Islington, which centre around a new art exhibition at the Islington Museum, ‘Malicious Collage: The Life and Crimes of Joe Orton’. This exhibition contains the library book jackets defaced by Orton when he lived in the borough, and continues at the museum until 25 February. To coincide with the new displays, on 9 February psychoanalyst Don Campbell will be conducting a discussion with writer and critic John Lahr (who authored ‘Prick up Your Ears’, Joe Orton’s biography). Events in both boroughs will close with a gala night at Islington’s Assembly Hall on 24 February. You can find out about everything happening in the two boroughs here online.
• Over in Greenwich, Eltham Palace (the royal palace which has been run by the National Trust since 1999) will be opened up for a series of special tours on 5, 12, 19 and 26 February under the title, ‘The Queens of Eltham Palace’. Tours will focus on the art deco interior design of the palace as well as the complex lives of some of the royals and courtiers who lived here. You can book tickets for these tours by telephoning the number on Eltham Palace’s website (how quaint!).
• Last on the list is ‘Queer Question Time’, taking place at Southwark’s Glazier’s Hall from 6pm on Wednesday 1 February. This event will be led by Suran Dickson, the CEO of Diversity Role Models, who will chair an hour long public debate on the subject of ‘tackling homophobia and transphobia in the world of sport’. Also taking part will be Bob Ballard (the Radio and TV Sports Broadcaster), Claire Harvey (GB Sitting Volleyball Women’s Team & Head of Corporate Responsibility at the Financial Services Authority), Dave Merchant (the founder of the Marlin Swimming Group) and the outspoken Peter Tatchell. Admission for this event is free of charge but it’s likely to be quite oversubscribed, so get your booking in on the website ASAP. Before the debate there’ll also be an opportunity to see a small group from my choir, the Pink Singers, performing a selection of songs from our recent Winter Concert.

If none of these events pique your interest, there are literally hundreds of other things going on in London this month – you can see a full list on the LGBT History Month website here.

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