‘Claiming our past, celebrating our present, creating our future’: LQBTQ+ month in Greenwich

By Claudia Lee

February is LGBTQ+ History Month and Greenwich council plans to offer its residents a range of inclusive events starting at the end of January.

Greenwich council and its partners are coming together to organise events including family workshops at libraries and Charlton Athletic’s first ever Football v Homophobia week.

Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said:“This month is a time for both our LGBTQ+ community and allies to think about how far we have come in the fight for equality, but also the work still to be done all year round.

“This year’s theme is ‘claiming our past, celebrating our present, creating our future.’

“It encourages us all to learn more about the invaluable achievements and contributions of LGBTQ+ people to our society.”

Activities begin on Sunday with a week of themed football matches.

These will be hosted by Charlton Athletic, in partnership with the club’s LGBTQ+ supporters group the Proud Valiants, the club’s affiliated LGBTQI+ friendly team, Charlton Invicta, and club partner, the University of Greenwich.

The matches will run throughout the week and will be streamed live on CharltonTV.

Online and in person events will also be hosted in association with Charlton Athletic Community Trust to promote equality and tackle homophobia in football.

Between February 2 and 17, the Britain’s Got Talent star Mama G will be returning to libraries to tell stories about ‘being who you want and loving who you are’.

All month Greenwich libraries will offer reading groups that will focus on LQBTQ+ authors, and weekly craft sessions that will explore LGBTQ+ themes.

For an up-to-date schedule including further events visit royalgreenwich.gov.uk/lgbtq-history-month.

Pictured top: Mama G after story time (Picture: Better/GLL)