February LGBT+ Network Presents 2021

LGBT+ History Month Newsletter

Hello and welcome to this jam-packed LGBT+ newsletter.

February marks LGBT+ History Month in the UK, where we take the time to learn about LGBT+ issues and history, particularly things that might have been missing before. This month we also want to look to the future to see how we can make the world a more open and equal place for all.

There is a long history of punishing people who are LGBT+ and while we have come a long way, there is still a lot of inequality across the world. For example, the UK makes up only one of the 29 countries around the world with marriage equality, compared to 72 where being trans or having a non-heterosexual relationship is punished. Even then, the law in the UK only changed to allow marriage equality in 2014. We’re here primarily to support LGBT+ There is still a lot of work to be done. staff, but are open to all – we don’t require anyone to identify themselves In our newsletter we wanted to show the as LGBT+ to support our work, so allies history of LGBT+ people and communities from (anyone who wants to help support the the past to the present, including progress LGBT+ community) and people who that has been made and the hard battles that are questioning are welcome too. Our have been fought along the way. Along with ultimate goal is to make sure that our this timeline, we’ve included an LGBT+ book working environment is friendly and club, myth-busting article, a look at gender, supportive for everyone. wellbeing tips and much more! If you would like to learn more about the We believe “No-one is equal until network, including information on how to join, please email: everyone is equal” [email protected] None of this could be done without the amazing work of Creative Support’s incredible Please be assured that all emails that go LGBT+ Network, and we want to highlight this to the LGBT+ Network inbox are treated community of open-minded and lovely people with absolute confidence. who meet on a regular basis. Major Moments in LGBT+ History Mental Health and Wellbeing tips and resources

LGBT+ rights may seem like a new issue to those unfamiliar with the history, but being LGBT+ While anybody can experience difficulties with their mental health at any time in their lives, is nothing new. The timeline below highlights some key dates throughout LGBT+ history. studies have shown that LGBT+ people are significantly more likely to be affected.

Around 25% of the whole population will experience a significant mental health problem in their lives, compared to more than 40% of LGBT+ people. This can be down to a number of factors,

1395 1533 1732 1835 1951 1957 such as discrimination and prejudice amongst others. Eleanor/John Rykener is King Henry The term, On the 27th Roberta Cowell The arrested in London, and is VIII passes a ‘’, November makes history as Wolfenden found to have identified law, making enters the 1835, the last the first known Report is We’ve pulled together some health and wellbeing tips and techniques that may help with as both male and female all activity English two men to British trans woman published, day-to-day issues, along with a list of LGBT+ organisations who offer more tailored help and at different times. This punishable by language as be executed to undergo gender- paving the is one of the earliest death. a descriptor for being gay reassignment way for future advice. examples of gender of same sex in England surgery. LGBT+ rights nonconformity in British relations are James and policy history. between Pratt and John changes. women. Smith. Take a break or slow down Try to get outside at least once a day This may seem incredibly basic, It can often be difficult to do either of these but this can be a bit of a challenge things, but giving your brain a breather is really at times. Try getting out, even if it’s 1967 important. Taking five minutes in the morning to 1988 1992 1981 1972 1969 just going outside and breathing in On 12th The ‘Sexual do a bit of deep breathing or meditation before is The WHO The first official UK The Riots some fresh air for a few minutes. If the December 1981, Offences Act’ put into British finally Rally takes start on 28th June 1969 you start work can give you a clean and calm a 49-year old decriminalises weather’s nice, why not sit in the sunshine law, banning the declassifies place in London on in New York, kicking gay man homosexual slate to start the day off with. “promotion” by same-sex the 1st July 1972 off the modern LGBT+ and enjoy your lunch. becomes the acts between local authorities attraction to coincide with civil rights movement first recorded two men, but (including schools) as a the ’ as we understand it person in the only where both of LGBT+ lifestyles mental anniversary. today. This is generally UK to die from are aged 21 or as an acceptable illness. considered Keep in touch with friends and family an AIDS-related above. If you’re struggling at work, talk to substitute for the world’s illness. your line manager or HR ‘traditional family first Pride Yes we’re living in a pandemic, but march. values’. we’re also living in a pandemic in You should never suffer in silence, and speaking the 21st century. We may all be through an issue with a trusted colleague or getting a bit fed up with Zoom, but senior will mean that actions can be put in place writing an email to a friend you to help you through any difficulties. People are haven’t spoken to in a while, or 1999 2000 - 2003 2004 2013 2017 2020-2021 here to help and listen, no matter how trivial you sending them a funny selfie, can Gwendolyn Section 28 is Civil partnerships The Marriage (Same The “ A private may think it seems. Ann Smith, a repealed in are legalised in Sex Couples) Act Law” is passed in member’s bill keep the connection flowing and, if needed, help trans woman, in the UK for same- is introduced and England and , to add an ‘X’ you to reconnect with someone. founded the 2000. After some sex couples. A comes into effect the pardoning men who gender marker to Day of challenges from poll published following year, with were cautioned or British passports Speak with a professional Remembrance after the House of Lords, earlier this year the first same-sex convicted under for non-binary If you’re anxious about restarting a connection, the murder of Rita England, Wales people is brought showed that marriages taking historical legislation. remember that we are all living in an There are lots of organisations out there who Hester. and Northern 63% of Brits place on 29th March to the House of offer counselling and therapy for people who are Ireland follow suit supported this. 2014. Commons. It will unprecedented time and people understand that. in 2003. be further debated If you message them saying ‘hey, what’s new LGBT+ and will help you with any issues you’re this year. with you’, you’ll be back chatting like old times in having with 100% confidentiality. Below we’ve rounded up a few organisations that can offer a flash. help and advice

Resources Health Assured: Creative Support’s 24/7 LGBT Foundation: A national charity Switchboard: LGBT+ helpline, ran between African Rainbow Family: Support for employee assistance programme which offers delivering advice, support and information 10am-10pm everyday via webchat, phone call, LGBT+ People of African Heritage including all of our staff telephone and online support for services to LGBT+ communities. and email. .lgbt / 0300 330 0630 / Refugees and wider Black and Asian Minority all of life’s problems and provides emotional lgbt.foundation / 0345 3 30 30 30 [email protected] Ethnic Groups africanrainbowfamily.org / support. 0800 030 5182 MindOut: LGBT+ mental health service providing Resources and a local directory [email protected] / 07711285567 Hidayah: A volunteer-led organisation with Stonewall UK: information, resources, and advice, along with a of LGBT+ inclusive services. stonewall.org.uk Consortium: Provide an extensive directory of projects and activities developed for the free instant messenger service. mindout.org.uk local LGBT+ groups who can provide tailored needs of LGBT+ Muslims. hidayahlgbt.com / support. consortium.lgbt [email protected] LGBT+ Book Club Get Involved at your service If you want to get involved in LGBT+ History Myth Busting We’ve pulled together some of our favourite LGBT+ books and made a book club! We’ve included Month at your service or any time of year, Do you have any questions to ask the LGBT+ a range of genres, including fiction, sci-fi, young adult, graphic novels, and non-fiction so there there are some ideas below to get you started! Network? Then write them down and email should be something for everyone! Some of the books have Trigger Warnings (TW) them to [email protected] Host a book club or film night 1. Trans Britain edited by Christine Burns (TW: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe Read and explore a book from the LGBT+ book Do you have a story you would like to share? Homophobia, violence) ‘I chose this book because it is one of my club or pick a film (there are lots of ‘best’ lists We’re really keen to hear from staff and service 2. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (TW: favourite pieces of LGBT+ art and I think it online for interesting LGBT+ films). After the users alike, so if you want to share your stories, Racism, homophobia, transphobia) will resonate with anybody who has ever film have a question and answering session. opinions, facts, etc. then please get in touch felt different or like an outsider. This book 3. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood. validated so many gender-queer feelings Discussion on the timeline Visit LGBT+ History Month website for more Fiction (TW: Death, suicidal ideation, unwanted that I have experienced throughout my Explore how things have changed/what still ideas sexual advances, grief) lifetime and even if you haven’t had similar needs to be done – are you surprised by They have loads of resources and events that 4. Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie (TW: War, experiences to Maia, you will still anything on the timeline? You could create are happening throughout the year violence, gender dysphoria, death) be able to empathise with their your own timeline and include inspirational lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk journey to self-discovery. Plus, people who have helped change history. 5. Queer: A Graphic History by Meg John who doesn’t love a book with Did you know that August is Pride month? Barker and Jules Schele (TW: Homophobia, pictures?! - Hazel Host a Quiz You can research local events taking place over transphobia, violence, assault) Quizzes are a fun way to engage in the bigger the summer or let us know how you think this 6. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe (TW: picture of the LGBT+ experience. Click the link can be celebrated? Homophobia, references to sexual themes, bit.ly/2Nxjb6X to dowload our LGBT+ History Email [email protected] with contains some graphic images) Month quiz your ideas and how you’ve been celebrating Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda LGBT+ history month 7. Gender Trouble by Judith Butler (TW: Homophobia, sexism, transphobia) by Becky Albertalli Snippets of your stories “Keep strong, don’t 8. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by I read this book in January of this year, ignore praise, but filter out all Becky Albertalli (TW: Homophobia) having seen the film in 2018, and I have “Getting an bullying and abuse. They don’t deserve to say that while the book is still aimed undercut didn’t stop people from the good feelings they get when they 9. Proud by Juno Dawson at a teen/young adult readership, the assuming that I’m straight, but I’m glad (TW: Homophobia, transphobia) know they have hurt you. Hold your book certainly seems a bit more adult in that it didn’t. If it had, my fears would have head up - you are worth something, and 10. The Glamour Boys: The Secret Story of the nature. At times the film, ‘Love, Simon’, been confirmed: that femininity and queerness you mean a lot to someone even if it is Rebels who Fought for Britain to Defeat did shy away from some of these more are mutually exclusive. Instead it taught me a someone you are yet to meet.” Hitler by Chris Bryant (TW: Homophobia, war, mature aspects, presumably to appeal lesson. It taught me that yes, I can change my -Emlyn death) to a more mainstream audience, but appearance in an effort make people see “the the original book is braver in discussing real” me, but it’s a waste of time if the things 11. The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar that I do feel inauthentic to who I am as a (TW: Islamophobia, homophobia, internalized some of the more intimate parts of homophobia) discovering one’s sexuality. person and how I feel comfortable presenting. So I let it grow out. The locks which were once “As much as being an out non binary 12. Drag: The Complete Story by Simon I wish this book – and its film shaved short now sit in soft curls at the nape person is a challenge, I feel more Doonan (TW: Homophobia, transphobia, racism) adaptation, for that matter – had of my neck, constantly falling out of my pony comfortable being myself than I ever existed when I was still struggling with tail and reminding me that I can change my was beforehand. It’s increased my 13. Conundrum by Jan Morris (TW: Gender my own sexuality. Even now though, it appearance if I want to, but my appearance confidence to no end, because I know in dysphoria, medical procedures, homophobia, my mind that this is who I am, and it is transphobia) is a heartwarming read as a gay man, doesn’t dictate my identity.” and it gives hope that, broadly speaking, - Hazel wonderful to finally have a name for it.” 14. Soft on Soft by Mina Waheed (TW: References things are getting better, - Abby to parental death, panic attacks, acephobia) and younger generations are feeling more comfortable Want to read more? 15. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (TW: Intersex about being their authentic These quotes are from full articles from staff and service users from Creative Support, who prejudice and offensive terminology, gender explore their own personal journeys to acceptance, love, and triumph. These honest and dysphoria, racism, incest, death, homophobia, selves. – Luke medical procedures, injury) inspirational articles show the power of the individual, and the strength that comes from understanding. Thank you so much to our contributors for telling us their stories, which can be found by visiting www.creativesupport.co.uk/lgbt-history-month-our-stories/ ‘she/her/hers’, whereas people who Glossary The Gender Spectrum identify closer to the male end may choose to use ‘he/him/his’. For people who identify Intersex - Someone who was born with across the spectrum, or outside of it, they genetic and/or physical characteristics that may use gender neutral pronouns. The don’t clearly map onto either male or female most common gender neutral pronouns are In our society, the terms ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ are for all non-cisgender people and not just trans ‘they/them/theirs’, but some people may Cisgender - Someone who identifies with their used to describe whether someone is a ‘man’ men or trans women. This is because some also use ‘xe’, ‘ze’, ‘sie’, ‘c’, and ‘ey’. People birth gender or a ‘woman’. There is an assumption that people don’t sit at either end of the spectrum may also choose gender neutral titles someone’s genitals decides what gender they and fall somewhere in-between. Agender - Someone who doesn’t associate (instead of Mr, Mrs or Miss) such as ‘Mx’ or with any gender and exists outside the gender are, but this is not the case. Someone who doesn’t sit at either end of the choose not to use them at all. People who spectrum spectrum, but somewhere in between, is non- are not cisgender may also change their Gender and sexuality are not the same, name so that it closer aligns with their Transgender/trans/trans* - People who binary. For example, someone who is non- don’t identify with their birth gender are and shouldn’t be used as swappable terms. gender. Sexuality refers to people’s sexual orientation, binary is neither male or female, and can be trans, although some non-binary people found anywhere on the spectrum that they prefer not to be termed as trans. Trans* is the such as heterosexual and homosexual, If somebody asks you to use a different whereas gender refers to traits which we feels fits best. Somebody may also use the encompassing umbrella for all non-cisgender term ‘genderqueer’ to describe this. name or pronouns to refer to them, it people. assume somebody to have based on their birth might feel difficult at first, but it is very sex. For example, someone born with female Non-binary- Someone who is neither male or Somebody who is non-binary may present important to respect and use the words genitals will be considered to be a woman and they have asked you to use. When you female, and sits somewhere on the gender themselves as a mixture of male and female spectrum that they feel best represents them. will be expected to do more ‘female’ things in use somebody’s old name, it is called life. This might mean we expect them to be genders, or they may choose to present in a Genderqueer is another term someone may way which aligns with the gender they were ‘dead naming’. If someone has changed use instead of non-binary. nurturing, gentle, and ‘girly’. We also might their name it means that they don’t expect them to present themselves in a certain assigned at birth. It’s a common assumption that non-binary people have to appear feel comfortable with their old name Genderfluid - Someone who is genderfluid is way, such as with long hair or wearing makeup. also considered non-binary, but their gender androgynous, but there is no right or wrong being used. It also means, you may ‘out’ isn’t fixed at one point on the spectrum and way to be non-binary. The way that someone somebody without their consent, meaning In reality though a person’s gender doesn’t that you might share that they are trans* can change over time. always match the sex that they were born dresses doesn’t always show their gender, and without their permission. Third gender - In some cultures around the with. Some people identify with the gender you can’t tell someone’s gender just by looking at them. world, a third gender is part of standard that they were assigned at birth, and feel If you accidentally use someone’s dead gender expression with their own roles and comfortable presenting that way. Some people Someone who is genderfluid is also considered name or old pronouns in a conversation characteristics in their society are intersex, which means that they were born then correct yourself and move on. If they with genetic or physical characteristics that non-binary, but their gender isn’t ‘fixed’ at one Dead name/Deadnaming - This is when point on the spectrum and can change over correct you, you may want to apologise to someone changes their name to more closely don’t match just male or female. For others them but then carry on your conversation their gender may be different to their biological time. Courtney Act, the winner of Big Brother align with their gender, and someone refers to UK in 2018, is genderfluid. as normal. them as their old, or ‘dead’ name. sex and could be somewhere between male and female, or it could be fluid in between the In some cultures, a third gender is part two. of standard gender expression. In Native American and First Nation Canadian culture, for Important Things to Remember The term ‘gender spectrum’ explains this world example, people who identify outside of male between male and female. It may help to think and female are known as ‘two spirit’ in English. Because we are taught that gender and sex are the same thing, learning about the gender of the spectrum as a sliding scale with male Other cultures, such as the Chambri tribe in spectrum can feel overwhelming. It is okay if you don’t get everything right at first, but at one end and female at the other. People Papua New Guinea have completely reversed the most important things to remember are: who identify with their birth gender are called gender roles to our own. ‘cisgender’ and means that they will be at one end of the scale or another. Some people don’t When somebody realises that they don’t 1. Gender is not the same as sex associate with any part of the spectrum, they identify with their birth gender, they may make 2. You can exist at any point on the gender spectrum and express that in whatever way feels are agender. some changes in their life in order to feel more natural to you comfortable. This might include changing their 3. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to be trans, non-binary or gender fluid Someone who identifies with the opposite names or their pronouns. 4. You need to respect people’s pronouns and use a different name if they ask you to gender to their birth gender may identify as 5. If somebody corrects you for making a mistake, thank them and move on transgender. The ‘T’ in LGBT+ stands for trans People who sit closer to the female end of the or trans*. The asterisk here acts as an umbrella spectrum may choose to use the pronouns 6. Every form of gender expression is beautiful, valid, and worthy of respect LGBT+ Assumptions and Myth Busting

There are lots of assumptions and stereotypes out there about people in the LGBT+ community so we thought we’d do a bit of myth-busting and share a little bit of background about why these assumptions are not the case!

‘Being trans/gender-fluid/ ‘LGBT+ people have equality nowadays non-binaryis a new thing’ because they can get married’

Absolutely not! Trans* people have existed I’m afraid not. Unfortunately this isn’t the since the beginning of human history under case, and there are still many countries various names and identifiers. In some around the world where LGBT+ people face cultures around the world, including India and persecution, and in some cases the death within Native American history, ‘third gender’ penalty, for their sexual orientation and their or ‘two-spirit’ people are an intrinsic part of gender. In the UK, we still have a long way to society with our concept of gender nowadays go to have equality, with equal marriage being being a very Western idea. just one of the steps along the way.

‘ have short hair and if you have ‘Being LGBT+ means you can’t have children’ short hair you’re a lesbian’

People can express themselves however People can choose to have children no matter they feel comfortable, or how they want to their sexual orientation through lots of means, present themselves to society. Some lesbians including adoption, surrogacy, IVF, and more. have short hair, some lesbians have long hair, People LGBT+ will also not stop you from being and some lesbians have no hair; and all are a fantastic parent- think about single-parent equally beautiful and it doesn’t diminish their families - not having a mum or a dad doesn’t sexuality. stop you from growing up to be a wonderful and well-rounded person, so why should this be any different for LGBT+ families? ‘LGBT+ people aren’t religious’

‘Being Trans* means having surgery’ While some religions are outwardly against LGBT+ people, there are various interpretations of religious texts that don’t view Some trans* people decide to have surgery homosexuality as a sin. Ultimately though, and some people don’t. Also, having or not belief is a very personal thing and there are having surgery doesn’t make you any less or lots of LGBT+ people are also religious - the any more trans*- each person’s transition will two don’t have to be opposing! be a personal journey and involve different things. If you have ever wanted to ask a question to someone from the LGBT+ community then please send it [email protected]. We’ll try to answer as many as we can. There are no silly questions, but please remember to be kind!

If you are a Creative Support staff member and would like to get involved with the LGBT+ network please email [email protected]