LGBT History Month takes place in February every year and offers the chance to connect and to reflect on the past and present of the LGBTQI+ community. It’s an opportunity to celebrate LGBTQI+ culture and progress towards equality over time, and to explore what the lessons of history can teach us for the future.
The theme this year is Blurring Borders. It invites us to think beyond borders, to think of LGBTQI+ people across the world, to think of people stuck at borders, hostile policies towards the queer community and of the impact of the Nationalities and Borders Bill on LGBTQI+ people seeking safety.
Our friends at Rainbow Migrants analysed the Nationalities and Borders Bill and how it will impact LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution. (via Twitter).
“The Bill will have a devastating effect on the ability of #LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution to find safety in the UK. Among other sweeping changes, this Bill will make it even harder for #LGBTQI+ people to prove their sexual orientation or gender identity by increasing the standard of proof above the internationally agreed standard. Often the only evidence that an #LGBTQI+ person has is their own account of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
“If the UK is truly committed to being a global leader on #LGBTQI+ human rights, we must ensure the protection of LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum by maintaining the current standard of proof.”
Our Storytelling Officer Chris Afuakwah shared some reflections with LGBT Youth Scotland:
“Borders are hostile places for anybody, and are certainly a hostile place for people in the LGBTQI+ community.
“The strength and resilience which it takes to flee persecution, to make perilous journeys, to put yourself at the mercy of governments and smugglers and lorry drivers, to continually have to hide your identity for your own protection until you are somewhere you can feel safe, only to have it disbelieved in invasive Home Office interviews, is enormous.
“Our Government is trying to pass bills to prevent protest, to revoke people’s citizenship without warning, to suppress Voter ID, to make life more and more difficult for people seeking sanctuary.
“At a time when we need to reach across borders in order to survive growing existential threat, to make reparations for the brutality of colonialism and learn from the Global South, the UK is instead choosing to box itself in.
“We must push for a world beyond borders, beyond binaries, beyond efforts to control us, and reconnect with ourselves and our home.”
Do you have a story to share? Perhaps reflecting on one of the following questions:
- What does the theme “Blurring Borders” mean to you?
- What role can Scotland play in supporting LGBTQI+ people seeking safety here and across the world?
- What is it like living in Scotland as an LGBTQI+ person who has found safety here?
- Is there a moment of joy that you want to share? A happy memory or story that might help someone else on their journey?
We are happy to share any stories from our community on our website and social media. LGBT History Month Scotland are also happy to share any stories on their blog.
Contact our Storytelling Officer at chris.afuakwah@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk if you would like to find out more.
Remember that you do not have to share anything that you feel uncomfortable sharing, and that you can be anonymous. Think about your story, and think about what parts of it you want to share publicly and what you don’t.
Resources for safely sharing your story.
More information about LGBT History Month.
