A PACKED month of events is planned for Bradford to mark the start of this year’s LGBT History Month.

It kicked off today when a rainbow flag was raised outside City Hall. LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans) History Month is held in February each year to celebrate and recognise LGBT people and culture, past and present. This year’s theme is Peace, Activism and Reconciliation.

Bradford Council’s Youth Service will be marking LGBT history month with a series of youth group sessions throughout the month focussing on LGBT+ themes. LGBT+ includes people who are ‘queer’, ‘questioning’ and other different ways people may define their gender and sexuality.

The Youth Service sessions during February will also include the Colours Youth Movement group, aimed at LGBT+ young people who are from black and minority ethnic groups.

Organisations are putting on events to celebrate LGBT History Month.

West Yorkshire Queer Stories, a collaboration between Brick Box Rooms and Leeds Queer Film Festival, is hosting a night of queer short films from 7pm on Thursday, February 14, at The Brick Box Rooms on Ivegate.

At the same venue, Brick Box Rooms will be hosting their own ‘Strike a Pose’ night, with a film screening, vogue dance workshop and party. This will be from 7pm on Saturday, February 16.

Bradford College is providing a programme of films, documentaries, exhibitions and workshops.

The documentary Invisible Women will be shown at lunchtime on Wednesday, February 13, which tells the story of two LGBTQ revolutionaries. It will be followed by questions with Angela Cooper, one of the women featured in the 25 minute film.

Kala Sangam, working with the Peace Museum, will present a performance of Ice&Fire Theatre Company’s production This Is Who I Am, on Thursday, February 21. The show offers first-hand accounts of LGBT+ people seeking asylum in the UK, read by members of the Actors for Human Rights Network. There will also be a post-show discussion.

The sexual health charity MESMAC will provide a number of information events, workshops and training throughout the month, at venues including Bradford Council, Bradford College and the University of Bradford.

Councillor Richard Dunbar, Bradford Council’s LGBT+ Champion, said: “In Bradford, yet again, we prove what an exciting, vibrant and welcoming district we are, with this programme for LGBT History Month. There is something for everyone: film screenings, debates, plays and even a vogueing workshop. The golden thread which runs through our month of activities is an understanding of the struggles that the LGBT+ community has endured, but also a celebration of what we have achieved. That is why we place so much emphasis on support groups to ensure those who need the help have someone to turn to.”

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “LGBT History Month is all about celebrating solidarity and difference. We are delighted to be raising the LGBT flag again to show our support for inclusivity and tolerance of all people.”

To find out more about LGBT History Month events, please contact the organisers directly.