Rainbow

Today is the start of LGBT+ History Month, which will be marked with a series of public events at the University throughout February. Public lectures from leading LGBT+ activists Stuart Milk and Professor Elena Rodriguez Falcon are among the highlights for the month, along with a number of College and student-organised events.

LGBT+ History Month takes place every February, and promotes equality and diversity by increasing the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, their history, lives and experience; as well as raising awareness and advancing education on matters affecting the LGBT+ community.

On Tuesday, 7 February, Professor Elena Rodriguez Falcon will share her experiences of being an out lesbian engineer at the University of Sheffield in the LGBT+ History Month Lecture, organised by the University’s LGBT+ Staff Network. Professor Rodriguez Falcon is Professor of Enterprise and Engineering Education, Director of Enterprise Education, and Faculty Director of External Affairs and Communications at Sheffield.

The recent #ILookLikeanEngineer social media campaign, which Professor Rodriguez Falcon passionately supported, has helped raised the profile of women working in the area. But it also made her think about other conversations about diversity that sector could be having. Her lecture, which is open to all, will take place on 7 February at the McGrath Centre, St Catharine’s College. Bookings can be made at https://lgbthmfeb72017.eventbrite.co.uk.

On 28 February, the University will welcome Stuart Milk, international human rights activist, LGBT rights speaker, government relations consultant, and youth advocate. He is the co-founder and Board President of the all-volunteer Harvey Milk Foundation. As the nephew of Harvey Milk, the iconic civil rights leader, Stuart has taken his uncle’s message of authenticity, example of courage and the power of collaboration onto the global stage supporting local, regional and national human rights struggles and emerging LGBT communities on five continents. His talk will take place at the McCrum Theatre, Corpus Christi College. Bookings can be made at www.equality.admin.cam.ac.uk/events.

Pembroke College is holding a series of events throughout the month, covering topics such as Trans experiences of health care, support LGBT+ prisoners, lesbian and gay parent families, and LGBT+ leadership in Cambridge. Pembroke is one of many Cambridge Colleges which will be flying the rainbow flag for all or part of February.

“Flying the Rainbow Flag at Pembroke sends out a clear signal that the LGBTQ+ community has a home at the college, recognising Pembroke's diverse, open and tolerant atmosphere and the welcoming nature of its staff and students,” said George Severs, Pembroke’s LGBTQ+ Officer. “In elite institutions such as the University of Cambridge, people with minority status can often feel ostracised, unappreciated or ignored. Flying the rainbow flag sends a defiant message to all who see it that Pembroke College, Cambridge is a home welcome to all.”

A number of student-run events are taking place this month, coordinated by the Cambridge University LGBT+ Campaign. A calendar of events is available on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lgbtcusu/.

In addition to University and College events, there are more than 20 events taking place around Cambridgeshire to mark LGBT+ History Month. Further details are available at encompassnetwork.org.uk. 

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