Reflecting on LGBT History Month 2024

27 February 2024

Since it was established in 2004, February has marked LGBT+ History Month. It is a chance to recognise, reflect on and celebrate the diverse experiences and contributions of LGBTQI+ people, in the present and throughout history. This February, we want to take the opportunity to highlight the experiences of LGBTQI+ people from refugee, migrant and asylum seeking backgrounds. At a time of heightened attacks on both LGBTQI+ people and migrants, this is more important than ever.  

We recommend checking out these brilliant blogs and sites from Rainbow Migration, an organisation which  provides practical and emotional support to LGBTQI+ people who are seeking asylum:

• Three ways you can make a difference this LGBT+ History Month: Read here for three simple actions to take in order to support Rainbow Migration’s No Pride in Detention Campaign. 

• The colonial past that shapes the present asylum process for LGBTQI+ people: An important and enlightening read on the experience of LGBTQI+ individuals who, in order to seek asylum, must evidence their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

• Queer pasts and global futures: Here, Arya Jeipea Karijo, a trans woman from Kenya, writes from a historical perspective about the pre-colonial era acceptance of queerness in a range of African societies and what she wants for the future. 

• Celebrating LGBTQI+ solidarity in our No Pride In Detention campaign: This piece celebrates solidarity across Rainbow Migration’s No Pride in Detention campaign!

Some more pieces we recommend reading: 

• TIME: In Gaza, ‘Queering the Map’ Reveals Heartbreaking Notes of LGBT Love and Loss: This article highlights the website Queering The Map, a platform which allows LGBTQI+ individuals to post anonymously and geotag their posts, offering an authentic and often heartbreaking insight into the queer community across the world. 

• IMIX: LGBT refugees are part of a long history of queer migration — and they need our support: a piece from LGBT+ History Month 2022 exploring the importance of recognising the right of all individuals to be able to live in safety without fear of persecution. 

• In this piece for the Scottish Refugee Council, Chris Afuakwah reflects on the reality of the asylum system in the UK for LGBTQI+ people who are seeking safety from persecution.