LGBT+ History Month: #UnderTheScope

Today marks the start of LGBT+ History Month - and this year's theme is all about 'Medicine'.

2024 marks nearly two decades of the month here in the UK, with the first one dedicated to LGBT+ history being celebrated back in 2005.

After the repeal of Section 28, organisers behind the month say it has three objectives:

• To 'claim our past'
• To 'celebrate our present'
• To 'create our future'

There's a different theme every year for the month, with schools, businesses, and organisations urged to celebrate the lives of LGBT+ people 'in their full diversity'.

In 2024, #UnderTheScope aims to shine a light on the contributions of LGBT+ people to the world of medicine, as well as highlighting the modern experience of receiving healthcare treatment.

People are also urged to look 'under the scope' of the lived experiences of LGBT+ people - be that by looking at their past, or by realising the health inequalities which many face today.

Spotlight on: National AIDS Trust

With this year's theme being medicine, it's important to hear of the work which organisations such as the National AIDS Trust (NAT) do.

The UK's HIV rights charity aims to challenge the stigmas which are still present today with those living with the disease.

They say these stigmas impact how those living with HIV feel about themselves - and if people stop talking about it, then they're less likely to get tested and access treatment.

Despite it being illegal, historical approaches to the disease also leads to 'discrimination in employment, in services and even in healthcare', which they say is still 'all too common'.

A little like the three aims of LGBT+ History Month, that's exactly how the National Aids Trust approach what they do.

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of the NAT, said: "For us, LGBT+ History Month is for us to show our allyship to the people in the community. HIV impacts far more people than just these people, but it disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men.

"But looking at the wider context, LGBT history is actually still so hidden. There's awesome examples in the media, and in schools - but it continues to be the case for young kids growing up who just don't see themselves reflected in wider society. That's what this month is about - it gives us a great chance to reflect on where we stand, and precisely what more work needs to be done.

"However, when you step back and realise that the first reported case of AIDS was only around four decades ago - it's amazing how much progress we have made in such a short amount of time.

"It really is extraordinary."

National HIV Testing Week

National HIV Testing Week also falls under LGBT+ History Month - aptly even more important, considering this year's theme of 'medicine'.

It was only in 1985 - nearly 40 years ago - when the first HIV antibody tests were developed, in a decade which saw rising numbers of reported cases, mainly with gay and bisexual men.

Fast forward to the late 1990s, and deaths from AIDS fell rapidly, thanks to the development of HAART - or 'highly active antiretroviral therapy' - with the medical progress ever since described by the Terrence Higgins Trust as 'one of the biggest successes of modern medicine - transforming an HIV diagnosis from a virtual death sentence to a manageable long-term condition'.

You can find out more about the history of HIV on the NHS website.

Look to 2024 - and we could be just a few years away from the end of new HIV cases altogether here in the UK.

After all, just five years ago, the Government published its HIV Action Plan, outlining its commitment to eradicating transmission by the end of the decade.

We'll find out in 2025 if their interim targets have been met - however, there are warnings that more needs to be done to make sure we stay on track - including making sure people can universally access drugs like PrEP, which was made free on the NHS back in April 2020.

Deborah Gold from the National Aids Trust told us this week, and the wider LGBT+ History Month this year, is a great reminder for people to get tested.

She said: "This year is a particularly poignant one, because it focuses on medicine - which is a core part of what we do.

"It's so important to come forward and take a HIV test - and it's never easier than it is in HIV Testing Week. You can even do it in the post from home!

"Testing is the gateway to everything being better because if you test and you're negative, but you know you're at a higher risk, then you can access PrEP, and if you have HIV, then you can access the right medication which will help you to live a full, and fulfilling, life."

We know, though, despite the UK, and the world, progressing in leaps and bounds for the treatment of the disease, there are still numerous barriers to overcome.

Deborah added: "So much progress has been made in the fight against HIV over the years. For HIV, LGBT+ people have been at the forefront of this, to make sure we can access the treatment we have today.

"However, stigma continues to exist - and it's certainly wrapped in homophobia. This is the biggest barrier to progress by far.

"There are many issues that prevent people from accessing treatment, though, which range from their social groups, cultural understanding of HIV, and even levels of depravation.

"Our aim now is to make sure that everyone feels that they can get the medication when they need it by making it available in places other than sexual health services, for example, which can be very difficult to get an appointment for sometimes."

Here in the UK, though, we are seen as one of the world leaders in HIV treatment - and one of the reasons is the universal access to PrEP on the National Health Service.

Deborah said: "PrEP is one of the only things in the NHS that things like immigration status isn't relevant to, and that is enormous.

"If you go to the USA, there is an enormous HIV problem, particularly the case for Black gay men, where the epidemic is particularly huge in the south - and that's because of poverty and a lack of access to treatment, because of the bureaucratic hoops you have to go through.

"It's also different in different parts of Europe, for example. There's a real issue in Eastern Europe, and in Russia, in particular, and around the world, HIV and AIDS continue to be significant causes of death.

"So the UK really is a demonstration of what can be possible - but you can separate the fight we have here compared to the rest of the world.

"So what I really hope LGBT+ History Month does is help us to focus on what we can achieve when we work together as a community, and inspire more of us to be a part of that fight going forward, both here and internationally."

Spotlight on: Trans Pride Manchester

Arlo West is one of the directors of Trans Pride Manchester, a group which was set up back in 2021 to celebrate the transgender and non-binary community around the city.

The group also works to create safe spaces, as well as promoting the education and awareness of the 'diverse experiences of gender identity'.

This year's LGBT+ History Month comes just as stats have been published, showing that transgender people are at a higher risk of developing a long-term mental health condition00301-8/fulltext) compared to those who are cisgender.

The study found around one in six (16.4%) transgender men, whilst slightly fewer (15.9%) transgender women, on average, have a 'long-term mental health condition', which range from anxiety and depression to more severe illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Those figures reduce to one in ten for cisgender men - at 8.8%, whilst that proportion slightly rises to 12% of cisgender women.

Arlo said: "Unfortunately, I'm really not surprised. As a trans person myself, I have that lived experience of really suffering with my mental health.

"There's societal pressures, as well as internal stresses, including things like dysphoria, or even looking at how much private care costs for those who want to start the process of transitioning.

"There's a lot of stress in growing up and navigating yourself in this world, but adding a minority identity on top of that isn't the best place to be.

"Stats like the one out today show that, yes, it can be lonely and isolating to be somebody who is transgender - but it's clear to see that you're not alone."

Trans Pride Manchester's first march happened last year, which saw thousands of people flock down to the city - but the question for this group, and so many across the country, is what happens outside of these days.

That's where LGBT+ History Month comes in for organisations like theirs.

Arlo added: "We hope events like this month, and events like the ones we put on are a space for people to air their problems, talk about their experiences, and recognise that you really are not alone.

"That's what we're there for - so we can hopefully point you in the right direction of some help you can immediately get.

"Some people in history, and even today, fall through the cracks when it comes to issues such as mental health - so opening that dialogue now is just as important as ever."

You can check out Trans Pride 2024 on August 3rd this year - with more info on the Trans Pride Manchester website.

Spotlight on: Bristol Pride

It's not just charities and organisations getting involved in celebrating LGBT+ History Month - as groups such as Bristol Pride are flying the flag in towns and cities across the UK, showcasing just what these 29 days can achieve.

After all, with many locations hosting their own Pride events - like in Bristol, which is happening throughout July - this month in February helps people to realise how being a part of the LGBTQ+ community isn't just about celebrating diversity.

It's also about making sure past struggles aren't forgotten.

Daryn Carter MBE is the Director of Programming and Partnerships at Bristol Pride, and told us LGBT+ History Month is about creating spaces to have open discussions about the real issues people face.

He said: "It may be a month of LGBT history, but my message to those who ask why we should celebrate it - well, what happens throughout the rest of the year?

"February marks a great time to focus in on our history - and history is really important.

"What we've seen as an LGBT society is that our history has been erased for many years because of discrimination, so this is a chance to say 'we do exist, we are here, and, actually, we have existed for a very, very long time.'

"Being LGBT really isn't anything new - so this is the chance for us all to have these open discussions, to build some bridges, and to challenge those hearts and minds - because there is still a long way to go."

Reflecting on progression in medicine, Daryn also told us this month is a time to think about those people who died amid the fight against HIV.

He added: "We should never take anything for granted, and if you look at the AIDS crisis, and how that devastated so many lives back in the 1980s - those are incredible people who aren't with us now because of this disease.

"Just think what kind of a society we might have been if maybe they were still with us now.

"We can certainly reflect on that during LGBT+ History Month, but isn't it amazing that now we can take PrEP to protect ourselves today? That is absolutely life-changing."

Despite minds changing, within the community, it's clear there is still a long way to go.

In the summer, cities come together for events like Pride, but have we taken a step back in recent years?

Daryn reflected: "If you asked me a few years ago, I'd have said work needed to be done - but things were starting to get better.

"In 2024, I feel like we've been taking steps back recently, and even though we're marking 15 years of Bristol Pride this year, I never would have thought people would ever be so angry as to set alight a billboard advertising the event.

"That was absolutely shocking to think that people feel so against something as joyful as our event from happening that they'd set a billboard on fire.

"So, I think it's time to reflect now on where we are as a society - because we all need to do more, stand up, and say we want to live in a society where we're accepting of everyone - regardless of who they are.

"To do that, it's vital we look at our history, and where we've come, and what more we need to be doing.

"Mostly, that means we just need to be kinder to each other."

Spotlight on: Pride in Surrey

Another group, which this year is celebrating its fifth anniversary, is Pride in Surrey - whose mission is all about celebrating, educating and connecting the LGBTQ+ community and allies in the region.

For Sam Powell, from the group, LGBT+ History Month is a time of personal reflection - and a chance to think about what things are sacred to those in the community.

He said: "February is all about shining a light on figures in the community who might have gone unrecognised in normal conversations.

"What I personally love is the fact that it looks at different areas of society - it tackles things we maybe would never have thought about before, and the figures in these different professions in LGBT history.

"At a time when the rights of LGBT+ people are still being challenged, it's really important to highlight the contributions the community has made - and why it should be protected."

'Hopes and dreams' can sometimes be a whimsical thing - but it's clear that this month is not just a useful time to reflect on just how far society has come, but it's a great time to be positive about the future.

Sam added: "Pride in Surrey are running their first expo this month to connect services to service users, and raise awareness of topics - it's going to be a really great year because I really believe we will make good progress in 2024.

"There are several things that have been on the back burner when it comes to LGBT rights, and seeing progress on things like a banning on gay conversion therapy is something we would really like to see going forward.

"Trans inclusion within schools has also been an area of hot discussion recently, and that is something we really need to focus on this year - making sure LGBT children and those in the workplace feel included."

You can find out more about the Pride Awards hosted by Pride in Surrey here.

Useful links

You can check out a long list of events happening around the UK, and a package of free resources, on the LGBT+ History Month website.

You can find out more about PrEP - and how to access it - on the NHS Website.

You can find out more about the National Aids Trust on their website, or you can also head over to the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Stonewall is an organisation who 'fight for the freedom, equity and potential of LGBTQ+ people everywhere', and you can learn more about them at stonewall.org.uk.

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