CELEBRATING LGBT HISTORY

He was a leading figure in medicine and race relations in the UK from the 1930’s and was a founding member of a UK based civil rights movement. 

CliniQ is the UK’s first sexual health and wellbeing clinic aimed at supporting the trans community and their partners.

While in transition, Dillon wrote the first medical treatise on trans identity and gender affirming treatments.

It was only until the age of 75 he began his first real relationship with fellow writer Bill Hayes. Sacks publicly acknowledged his sexuality and relationship in his autobiography On the Move: A Life.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a policy used in the US Military from 1994 to 2011. This policy was in place to protect closeted LGBT people from discrimination. However, if you were openly gay, lesbian or bisexual then you would be barred from serving for the military. I remember hearing about it and being enraged. How? How can you no longer be deemed fit enough to serve and protect your country if you are openly lesbian, bisexual or gay?

In 2010 GaGa headlined a rally to support the repeal of the policy where she gave a twenty minute speech regarding her stance. GaGa called on the US Senators to abolish the policy, calling it wrong and unjust. She used her platform to me, for the greater good. And at this point she was no longer just a singer, she was an inspiration. As a young LGBT person myself at the time I hadn’t yet seen someone use their platform in this way. I had so much respect that someone was rallying for our rights.

In 2011 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was repealed and now LGBT people can openly serve in the military in the US.

Sarah Bow | Team Manager, Stadium Way

I was always to afraid to question who I was, but I never felt like I was me. When I started taking interest in these singers and really listened to what they where saying, I felt like I could relate to the songs that yungblud wrote. 

I felt a emotional when hearing Harry’s songs, one song in particular is called 'lights up' which speaks about knowing who you are. When I listen to this song it made me realise that I didn’t know who I was, but it was okay, I have time to figure it out. They helped me gain the confidence within myself to come out and finally tell people who I really was.

Aimee-lou | Team Member, Merryhill

Her visibility inspires me, and her sense of humour always makes me laugh'.

Katie Morton | Delivery, Leeds Birstall

Search for 'Smalltown Boy, Bronski Beat', on Youtube. The video is brilliant. Their album, 'Age of Consent', is a great album. Quite controversial back in the 1980s. I would never play it in the presence of my parents! Again this is also on Youtube. By the way, I have already nominated Boy George, here is my second nomination!

Jimmy Somerville and Boy George paved the way for later LGBT musicians. They were real trailblazers, in my humble opinion.'

Richard Moxham | Van Driver, Warrington RSC

All too often, we see the mental health effects of growing up LGBT impacting later in life, looking back to my teenage years and earlier, it was difficult to express yourself and allow your personality to develop as it should at the most crucial time of your life. Lil Nas X Is The LGBTQ Icon The World Needs Right Now!

In a few short years, the 22-year-old, has become a role model for young queer people around the world, helping thousands of young and emerging LGBTQ people feel truly seen. His fashion choices, social media memes, crossover tunes and incredible visuals, have made massive new gains for representation and helped shape a new queer icon.’

Darren Hopkins | HR Officer

But as I look back now and reflect on the impact in 1986, of a certain soap I was watching called Eastenders and the introduction of a gay couple; Colin and Barry. Seeing that relationship and the first kiss between two non-steryotypical, ordinary gay men on british television had a positive impact on me. 

Colin was played by Michael Cashman, who from his early inspirational acting went on to became the country’s first openly gay Labour MEP in 1999 and went on to be president of the European Parliament’s intergroup on gay and lesbian issues, while also helping convince Tony Blair’s government to introduce same-sex civil partnerships. He was made a Labour peer in 2014 and has championed issues such as compulsory LGBT-inclusive sex and relationships education.’

Andrew Jurd | Head of Retail HR