LGBTQ+ History Month 2023
LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated annually, throughout the month of February, to provide education and awareness of the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community and works to combat prejudice against it.
Since 2005 it has taken place on February in the UK and observes lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer history and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.
The goal of LGBTQ+ History Month is to promote understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community by highlighting the diversity and accomplishments of its members throughout history. Additionally, it aims to provide a platform for the voices of LGBTQ+ people, and to challenge the under-representation and marginalisation of LGBTQ+ people in mainstream history.
This year to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 we spoke to several of our alumni about their views and experiences; which you can read about by clicking on the individual profiles below.
You can also read about events, resources and support being promoted this month by the University on this web page.
Alumnus Barnaby Edwards (he/him) is an actor, director, writer, painter and occasional Dalek, and studied French and Fine Art at Exeter where he also met his partner, Nicholas Pegg. We recently caught up with him ahead of LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 to hear what advice he'd give to students.
Alumnus David Watson (he/him) is is Managing Director, Communications and Publishing at Chatham House and he's also a local councillor in Southwark. We chatted to him ahead of LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 to find out what LGBTQ+ History Month means to him.
Alumna Kathleen Jowitt (she/her) is an Assistant Education Officer and published author. We spoke to her ahead of LGBTQ+ History Month to find out what LGBTQ+ role models inspire her and more.
Alumnus Luke Pollard (he/him) is a member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport and we recently caught up with him ahead of LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 to hear about the changes he'd like to see take place in regards to LGBTQ+ rights, and more.
Alumna Mandy McBain MBE (she/her) received an Honorary Degree from the University of Exeter in 2015 and currently works for the Royal Navy as a Commander Restorative Policy. For LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 we spoke to her to get her thoughts on what achievements she's most proud of.
Alumnus Mark Weller (he/him) is a Consulting Director at Simpson Weller & Associates and we recently caught up with him ahead of LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 to hear about the changes he'd like to see take place in regards to LGBTQ+ rights.
Alumnus Nicholas Pegg (he/him) is an actor, writer and director and studied English Literature at Exeter from 1986-1990, graduating with an MA. We spoke with Nicholas ahead of LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 to discover what the month means to him.