First celebrated in 1994, October marks an annual month-long United States observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, as well as the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. This month provides role models, builds community and represents a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBT community.

In October, we celebrate the achievements of 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender icons. Each day in October, a new LGBT icon is featured with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.  Find them here: https://lgbthistorymonth.com

Currently, LGBT History Month is specific to the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. It is celebrated in both the US and Canada in October, so that it coincides with national Coming Out Day on October 11, the date of the Second March of Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987. In the UK, it is observed during February to coincide with a major celebration of the 2003 abolition of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988. This rule had stated that a local authority “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality”

While it was first known as Lesbian and Gay History Month, the coordinating committee soon added “bisexual” to the title. It has subsequently become known as LGBT History Month.

On June 2, 2000, President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” to commemorate the June 1969 Stonewall riots in Lower Manhattan. On June 1, 2009, President Barack Obama expanded the commemoration further by declaring June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

In 2012, for the first time, two American school districts celebrated LGBT History Month. The Broward County school district in Florida signed a resolution in September in support of LGBT Americans, and later that year the Los Angeles school district, America’s second-largest, also signed on.

More information on LGBT Month.

Contributed by Jean Fowler, Woodinville UU Church, on behalf of the WUUC Welcoming Congregation Team.
Information obtained from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_History_Month