LGBTQ+ History Month

See our programme of events

Oxford Brookes University is proud to be part of the annual celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month, joining universities, schools, local authorities, voluntary organisations and employers, with a programme of events and activities to highlight the history and achievements of LGBTQ+ communities and perspectives on LGBTQ+ inclusion.

LGBTQ+ History Month

Flag Raising and Light-Up

The LGBTQ+ Staff Forum, Brookes Union and the LGBTQ+ Society have planned a range of events for February and the University will be raising Progress Pride flags on each campus and lighting up Lloyd Building in rainbow colours to celebrate the month. 

You can also find an LGBTQ+ resources list created by Special Collections for LGBTQ+ History Month.

Programme of events

Whole embodied humans: a conversation for LGBTQ+ History Month

Wednesday 28 February 2024, 6.00pm to 7.00pm, John Henry Brookes Lecture Theatre, Headington Campus and Online.

Join us for this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month Lecture in collaboration with our Multifaith Chaplaincy, delivered by Rev Peta Evans.

All are welcome.

This talk will explore reclaiming the spirituality of trans and nonbinary people and reclaiming our sacred space in faith traditions, not as disembodied spirits, but as whole embodied humans. 

The discussion will cover how our trans and nonbinary bodies can be loci of the divine as much as any other, and have particular truths to express about what it means to be spiritual and human, and about the interactions of faith and gender and their impact on social justice.

Rev Peta Evans is Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of North London and Trans Awareness Trainer for Enfield LGBT Network, and has been a member of MCC since 2003.

Image of Rev Peta Evans

Flag-raising and Light-Up

Wednesday 31 January, 5.00pm outside Headington Hill Hall.

Join us to raise the Progress Pride flag and light up Headington Hill Hall to mark the beginning of LGBTQ+ History Month. Brookes students and staff are welcome to gather outside Headington Hill Hall. Please email lgbqplus@brookes.ac.uk with any accessibility requirements.


LGBTQ+ Research Showcase and Networking Event

Tuesday 27 February, 1.00pm to 3pm, JHB 406, Headington Campus and Online.

Oxford Brookes staff and students will showcase their research and share work in progress on LGBTQ+ topics at this event. A collaboration between the EDI Research Network, LGBTQ+ Staff Forum and Brookes Union.

Everyone is welcome to join us.


Public Lecture: 'The Dream City Porn Cinema Fire: Reconsidering Legal and Cultural Narratives'

Monday, 26 February, 5.00pm - 7.00pm, Room JHB 308 (Kennedy Lecture Theatre), Headington Campus and Online.

Chris Ashford, Professor of Law and Society at Northumbria University, and Gareth Longstaff, Senior Lecturer in Media and Cultural Theory at Newcastle University. 

Exploring a landmark legal and cultural moment that speaks to the contours and legacies of how we situate queer and gay desire, loss, (in)visibility and shame.

This event will be the second in a speaker series entitled 'Critical Perspectives on Gender, Sexuality and Society' hosted by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Oxford Brookes University.


Brookes Union events 

Brookes Union events page hosts details of events organised by Brookes Union and student groups.

Brookes Union Valentines Quiz for LGBTQ+ History Month

Tuesday 13 February from 6.30pm, Quiz starts at 7.00pm in Brookes Bar, JHB Headington Campus.

Oxford Pride Planning Workshop

Thursday 29 February, 1.00pm to 3.00pm.  Location to be confirmed (email su.president@brookes.ac.uk for more details).

Past events

External resources

Information and resources for LGBT History Month and beyond.

Wallchart produced by the Forum for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Equality in Further and Higher Education and a group of trade unions in association with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) History Month.

A look back at UNISON's LGBT history.