LGBT+ History month allows us the opportunity to recognise the past, celebrate the present, and shape the futures of LGBT+ lives and communities.
Visit LGBT Plus History Month for more information.
For the duration of LGBTQ+ History Month we will be sharing some of the coming out stories of colleagues across the council family. Through sharing our stories we hope to raise awareness of the lived experience and the real challenges our LGBT+ community has faced and continues to face.
"We shouldn't be complacent, there are still people out there who don't feel confident in their sexuality. It's important that there are safe spaces for people to come out at their own pace"
Read Jonathan's coming out story here
"It feels more acceptable to be a lesbian at present. I feel back when I was young and just discovering what it meant to be a lesbian, there were no celebrity role models, no gay people on the television and generally if it was spoken about by the older generation there was a sense of 'it wasn't right' or 'a bit weird'. I think if I were younger now, I would have known who I was from an earlier age and may have been more open with this from an earlier age."
Read Rachael's coming out story here
"While my manager and I were preparing to tell the rest of my colleagues, the council actually held a training session in partnership with Stonewall on 'First steps to Trans Inclusion'. My manager and I attended this training session together, and the timing of the training in relation to the process I was going through could not have been better timed. The training session helped put the whole concept into very simple terms, and also gave me ideas on how to communicate to my colleagues in a professional manner."
Read Oliver's coming out story here
"Our rights are hard-won, and the rights we have here in Scotland are not shared by our LGBT+ community in other parts of the world. I don't think our work will ever be done to fight for, and keep, our equalities and human rights."
Read Kirsty's coming out story here
Saturday 25th February 2023, 2:00PM
Join Prism in celebrating LGBT+ History Month for this rare opportunity with a guided tour which will showcase LGBTQ+ histories from within The Burrell Collection, curated by a group of staff members with lived experience.
You'll have the opportunity to ask questions along the way as well as have a chat about the tour and collection afterwards. And of course the chance to grab a coffee and chat with other Prism network members!
This magnificent collection in its purpose-built home surrounded by beautiful parkland, is ranked amongst the most significant civic museum collections in the UK, comparable to the National Gallery and the V&A in London.
The significance of the opening in 1983 cannot be over-estimated: it sparked the regeneration of Glasgow as a major cultural city, following decades of post-industrial decline. In its first year of opening, the museum attracted more than one million visits.
Since The Burrell's reopening in March 2022, the collection has rejuvenated the City of Glasgow in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the city economy.
If you've not had a chance to see The Burrell since it's £65.25 million refurbishment project, now is your perfect opportunity!
This is a FREE event and everyone is welcome to join us!
If you have any questions about this LGBT+ History Month event, please email us at prism@glasgow.gov.uk
1885 | The Criminal Law Amendment Act makes male same-sex sexual acts a criminal offence carrying a two year prison sentence |
1969 | The Scottish Minority Group (SMG) is founded in Glasgow in May. It is a Self-help organisation working for the rights of homosexual men and women |
1971 | 'Gay Scotland' Magazine launches as the first regular publication of LGBT Life in Scotland |
1973 | The Waterloo Bar opens as Glasgow's only dedicated gay bar |
1974 | The first International Gay Rights conference is held in Edinburgh |
1975 | Scotland's first Gay Centre opens at 60 Broughton Street, Edinburgh |
1977 | The Glasgow Gay Centre opens on Sauchiehall Street |
1980 | Homosexuality is legalised in Scotland privately for those aged over 21 |
1987 | Val McDermid Published Report for Murder, a novel starring Britain's first fictional lesbian detective, Lindsay Gordon |
1988 | UK Government brings in Section 28, legislation that prevents teachers from talking about LGBT+ issues in schools. Many support groups close as a result, with local authorities afraid to breach the law |
1993 | GlasGay! Festival launches an annual celebration of LGBT culture |
1995
| The Lesbian Archive moves from London to Glasgow Women's Library The first Scottish Pride takes place in Edinburgh Glasgow LGBT Centre is opened on Dixon Street |
1996 | The second Scottish Pride is held in Glasgow |
1997 | The Equality Network is set up in Scotland |
2000 | Scottish Parliament repeals Section 28 |
2001 | The age of consent for gay and bisexual men is lowered to 16 |
2005 | Scotland's youngest and first openly gay council leader Steven Purcell is elected to lead Glasgow City Council |
2007 | Scottish same-sex couples gain equality in adoption and fostering |
2010 | Glasgow Frontrunners launches as the first LGBT running club in the city |
2011 | Ruth Davison elected to lead Scottish Conservatives, making her the first openly gay political leader |
2014 | Same-sex marriage is legalised in Scotland |
2015 | The annual Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQUIFF) launches in Glasgow |
2018 | Scottish Government introduces the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Bill - dubbed Scotland's 'Turing Law' |
2021 | Scotland becomes the first country in the world to embed LGBT+ inclusive education across the curriculum. |