February marks the start of LGBT+ History Month, an important opportunity to learn more about and celebrate the achievements of the LGBT+ community, as well as the challenges and discrimination they faced and continue to face. Listed below are some exciting events and activities held by LSE to celebrate – keep an eye out next week for more events held by the LSESU!
Community Bake Sale – Tuesday 4th February, 10.30am – 12.30 pm
Located in the Hall Carpenter Room (SAW 3.02), this is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre. Enjoy a sweet treat and connect with the LSE community informally over some cakes. Fill out this form if you’re going to be baking!
Public Lectures
Arrested Analysis: The Unseen Reach of Sodomy Laws in Uganda – Wednesday 5th February, 5.00 – 6.30 pm
Hosted by the Mannheim Centre for Criminology, join Dr. Rodriguez from the Department of Gender Studies at LSE to learn more about Ugandan politics, specifically the policing around sexuality. Register for a ticket here.
Wrong Readings Only: A research relay and conversation on normativity and South Asian public culture – Wednesday 5th February, 5.30 – 7.00 pm
J. Daniel Luther’s book, Queering Normativity and South Asian Public Culture: Wrong Readings Only, provides the basis for a research relay on South Asian public culture and questions of masculinities. This is an opportunity to engage with research contesting normativity in the fields of South Asian studies on gender, sexuality and culture. Register for a ticket here.
Trans Lives, histories and activism – Thursday 13th February, 6.30 – 8.00 pm
Susan Stryker, a pioneering historian and theorist in trans studies, will be joining the Department of Gender Studies and the Department of International History to discuss collective liberation and activism, particularly within the context of de-colonial and abolitionist frameworks in their approaches. Learn more about the speakers and sign up for a ticket here.
Abolition Now! – Wednesday 5th March, 5.30 – 7.00 pm
Bringing queer abolitionist and feminist perspectives to the forefront, this event tackles the challenges and ideologies within prison and the broader criminal system, using the expertise of Professor Lamble and Dr. Rodriguez to learn about how prisons enforce gendered and racialised frameworks. Get your free ticket here to learn more about rethinking abolition and what justice could look like outside of the traditional system.
Film screenings
Pride film screening – Wednesday 12th February, 6.00 – 8.30 pm
LSE’s LGBTQ+ staff network, Spectrum, is holding a screening of the 2014 movie Pride, which explores queer solidarity movements, especially in the context of the 1980s miners’ strikes. Get a ticket here and join them in the Hall Carpenter Room, with plenty of snacks and nibbles on offer!
H24: Screening Harassment – Wednesday 19th February, 5.30 – 7.00 pm
Documentary filmmakers Nathalie Masduraud and Valérie Urréa discuss their project H24, a series documenting the sexual and gendered harassment faced by women and gender non-conforming people in 24 hours. Receiving critical acclaim and popularity in France, this event is a great opportunity to speak to the directors and learn more about their experiences. You can reserve a ticket and learn more about the speakers here.
Receptions and archives
Inauguration of Hall-Carpenter Room – Wednesday 19th February, 4.00 – 6.00 pm
A drinks reception is taking place to officially launch the Hall-Carpenter Room, a dedicated space at LSE for promoting inclusivity and intersectionality in the Saw Swee Hock building. Named after the Library’s Hall Carpenter Archives, documenting the history of LGBTQ+ activism in the UK since the 1950s, this event isn’t one to miss! You can reserve your spot here.
LGBT+ History Month: open archives + tour, Thursday 27th, 4.00 – 6.00 pm
Explore the Library’s LGBT+ materials and archives in an informal setting at your own pace, with plenty of staff on hand to answer the questions you might have. Open to everyone regardless of prior experience with archival material, register your interest here for the gallery.
The LSESU will also be announcing a series of events to celebrate LGBT+ History Month next week, including galas, discussion forums and more. The Union’s fundraising arm, RAG, has already announced a clothes swap for allies and the trans community held in their charity shop, taking place on February 17th. More information can be found on their Instagram page here.
Take advantage of all the incredible events on offer – there’s something for everyone, whether you like film screenings and bake sales or want to learn more from LSE’s academics and guest speakers.
