50 years on from the UK’s first official Pride march in 1972, February marks an observation month of LGBT+ history. The long struggle for LGBT+ rights in the UK goes far beyond 1972, and even further beyond our borders, with pivotal movements across the world shaping the fight for LGBT+ rights into what it is today. One such movement is the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, and, as February also marks Black History Month in America, it seems fitting to pay homage to the heroic trans women and lesbians of colour who played key roles during and after the movement. In tirelessly fighting and advocating for LGBT+ rights, Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Stormé DeLarverie, and Sylvia Rivera faced further discrimination as a result of their race.
Their stories show that throughout LGBT+ History Month, it is as important to celebrate the achievements of the LGBT+ community and the progress made as it is to remember that the struggle for LGBT+ rights is far from over. Millions of LGBT+ persons across the world still face discrimination, prejudice and violence as a result of their gender, identity, and sexual orientation today, including in the UK, and it is vital that we learn from history as we continue to fight against this discrimination.
In addition to my editor’s picks this week (which can be found further down the page), I’d also like to highlight a few of The Bubble‘s past articles in honour of LGBT+ History Month:
1. A very brief history of transgenderism
3. Pride Month: celebrating LGBT+ artists
4. Do games ever handle LGBT+ representation well?
5. Bisexuality versus pansexuality – an ever changing debate?
6. The aromantic experiences of Jo March in Little Women
7. The sanitizing of queer icons
10. Stop forcing queer people out – 2020 means staying in
And in this week’s editor’s picks, Davina Veselichka evaluates why nuclear power is not a viable solution to the climate crisis, Becca Sheridan reviews the Mark Hillery Programme of the Durham Drama Festival, and Halle Afflick considers the ethical standards behind vegan beauty brands:
1. ‘La La Land’ – love it or hate it? by Lara Eastaugh
2. Nuclear power is a lazy solution to the climate crisis by Davina Veselichka
3. Live Theatre’s Elevator Festival 2022 introduces the best new plays by rising talent by Carlotta El Hatimy
4. Looking beyond the label: vegan beauty brands and ethical standards by Halle Afflick
5. Durham Drama Festival: Mark Hillery Programme Review by Becca Sheridan
Featured image: Stock Catalogue on Flickr with license.