LGBTQ+ history month

Harry Craig, Music Editor, tells us why it should matter to us all

Trigger Warning: This article contains content relating to suicide which some readers may find distressing.

LGBTQ+ history: the Stonewall Riots, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Section 28. This was abolished, gay marriage was legalised, and all homophobia suddenly disappeared and the LGBTQ+ community achieved equality. Except, as we all know, that simply isn’t the case.

LGBTQ+ rights have certainly come a long way — it was less than 60 years ago that merely being homosexual would land you in prison in England.

Yet in 68 countries, that is still the case. In ten of these, homosexual acts can even result in the death penalty. It’s a scary thought that of the 22 countries I’ve visited, openly expressing my sexuality would be illegal in three of them.

Closer to home, too, the LGBTQ+ community are under attack. We have seen the transgender community scapegoated in culture wars, whilst hate crimes based on sexual orientation have doubled since 2018. My favourite album,The Killers’Pres- sure Machine, includes a beautifully moving track, ‘Terrible Thing’, about a gay teenager who commits suicide — a reminder that 68 per cent of LGBTQ+ young people have experienced suicidal thoughts. be combined by studying with a friend. In essence, remember to not go unsupported and not to forget about your friends who are also likely studying at home by themselves.

As a young bisexual man, I understand what homophobia looks like, and it remains scarily rife. I am lucky that I’ve never had to face the brunt of this, but am still brutally aware of the far too frequent slurs and discrimination. Biphobia also prevails in society, in which bi women are treated as 'basically straight', and bi men are treated as 'basically gay.' Nonetheless, as much as LGBTQ+ History Month is a time to commiserate, it is also a time to celebrate the many LGBTQ+ icons throughout our history — Alan Turing, Freddie Mercury, Oscar Wilde and many more. It is thanks to these pioneers across the worlds of politics, entertainment and culture that I and millions of others are now able to live in relative freedom. Sadly, there are still far too many across the world who cannot do so.

Those that have gone before us have fought tenaciously for our rights, but this fight must continue. That is why LGBTQ+ History Month matters.

In conclusion, several tips regarding how to remain productive are: decide your preferred working environment on campus or create a working environment at home, organise your day, manage your workload, allow yourself breaks and check in with friends.