The month was officially launched in Haringey this morning by the Mayor of Haringey, Cllr Sue Jameson, and the Leader of Haringey Council, Cllr Peray Ahmet, who raised the Progress Pride flag at the N22 landmark.
The theme for this year’s LGBT+ History Month is Activism and Social Change, with Haringey residents and those living beyond our borough being invited to consider how – throughout history – LGBT+ people have helped shape and create social change by using many different approaches to activism, thereby advancing society for everyone in the process.
Taking place in February each year, LGBT+ History Month provides an opportunity for us all to celebrate and learn about the heritage and history of our LGBTQ+ communities and today’s flag-raising ceremony marks the start of a month-long programme of FREE activities and events in Haringey.
There are many standout highlights across a memorable month ahead, including:
- Film Screening and Q&A Session: Under Your Nose by Veronica McKenzie on Friday 21 February (6pm-9pm) at Park View School
- Film screenings every Tuesday evening throughout the month in Community Room 1 at Hornsey Library
- o The screenings are as follows:
- Tuesday 4 February: All of Us Strangers (5pm, Cert: 15)
- Tuesday 11 February: Crossing (5pm, Cert: 15)
- Tuesday 18 February: Unicorns (4:30pm, Cert: 15)
- Tuesday 25 February: Love Lies Bleeding (5pm, Cert: 15)
- Free Queer-led Folk Singing Workshops entitled: ‘Songs from the Land’ every Sunday at the Wolves Lane Centre
- o The sessions are as follows:
- Sunday 2 February (2pm-4:30pm): Alex Etchart: Decolonial Songs
- Sunday 9 February (2pm-4:30pm): Mio Loban: Louise Bennett Jamaican Folk Songs
- Sunday 16 February (2pm-4:30pm): SFTL Resistance Songs
- A ‘Walking with Pride! An LGBT+ History Tour’ from Turnpike Lane to Finsbury Park on Sunday 23 February (11am-1pm*/Meet outside Roj Café in Ducketts Common at 10:45am for 11am start)
- A special talk and Q&A session with local author of queer historical fiction, Carmella Lowkis, who will be reading her first book Spitting Gold at Hornsey Library on Monday 24 February from 5:30pm to 7pm
- Wise Thoughts’ FREE drop-in service for LGBTQI+ people only, aged 16+, at Wood Green Library on Friday 14 February between 5pm and 7pm. Spaces are limited and registration in advance (only once) is mandatory
- Naughty Cabaret at Jacksons Lane on Friday 7 February at 7:30pm
- An inclusive, LGBTQ+ reading group at the All Good Bookshop on Tuesday 18 February at 7pm
- Two ‘Becoming a Zinester! A Zine-making Workshops’ – one for LGBT+ people aged between 16 to 25 on Saturday 22 February (10:30am-12:30pm) and the other for adults only/25+ on Sunday 23 February (2pm-4pm)
- o The sessions are as follows:
- o The screenings are as follows:
The Leader of Haringey Council, Cllr Peray Ahmet, said: “Each and every February represents an annual opportunity for all of us to learn about and celebrate the history and heritage of our LGBTQ+ communities.
“In keeping with this year’s theme, we’re rightly very proud of our long-standing and strong history of LGBTQ+ activism and life here in Haringey.
“Our work standing up for LGBTQ+ rights goes all the way back to our campaign against Section 28 in the 1980s and the Smash the Backlash rallies.
“It’s a cause we will continue to champion too and the onus is on us all to ensure that we’re doing everything we possibly can to make everyone feel safe and welcome in our borough.”
