An officer at the University of Salford hopes everyone will get involved in LGBT history month by celebrating the community, regardless of their sexuality.

Chair of the LGBT staff network at UoS, Arron Pile says Salford University and the students’ union have been working together to compile an array of activities. LGBT History Month starts on the 1st February and runs for the whole month.

Throughout the month the University of Salford students’ union (USSU) will be wearing its colours with pride as they hang the rainbow flag around their building.

Union staff will be wearing rainbow ribbons all month.

Every year the University hosts events for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) History month – four weeks celebrating the lives, culture and achievements of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans communities.

The aim throughout the month is to give people the opportunity to reflect, discuss and celebrate with the LGBT community.

Jon-Connor Lyons, the Arts and Media Officer, said: ”LGBT history month launches on the 1st February and we have a month long agenda and plan for it.

”We are working in corporation with the University on some events and we are also leading some events ourselves.

”We are doing a drag bingo on the 2nd February which will be held in Atmosphere.

”We have a debate lead by the debating society and the LGBT society and a number of film nights that emphasise the history of certain individuals and certain movements within the LGBT community in this country and other countries.”

Arron Pile, Student & Graduate diversity officer in student life and chair of the LGBT staff network, said:  “LGBT History Month is a fantastic time to celebrate the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people. The month is not about the LGBT community celebrating our own achievements but rather everyone coming along and enjoying the events no matter what sexuality you identify with. This year we have worked with MMU and Manchester Universities to come up with a programme for all so we hope to see you at some of the events.”

The history month will close with a discussion called Love, Faith and Sexuality. The session which will be  hosted by Student Life and the Multi Faith Chaplaincy is open to all and will promote dialogue and understanding.

This LGBT history month will focus on ‘Geography: Mapping the world’, especially since Australia and up to sixteen central and south American nations will be able to enjoy same sex weddings.

The overall aim of the history month is promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public.

The month helps to Increase the visibility of LGBT people, their history, lives and their experiences in the curriculum and culture of educational and other institutions, and the wider community

Awareness is raised to the public about matters affecting the LGBT community.

Promoting the welfare of LGBT people, by ensuring that the education system recognises and enables LGBT people to achieve their full potential.

For more information about the LGBT history month click here

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