LGBT+ History month

This month Collective Architecture supports and celebrates LGBT+ History month. LGBT+ History Month recognises the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements. It takes place every February in the UK and aims to promote and celebrate equality and diversity.

LGBT+ month is an important event because it recognises the influence that LGBTQIA+, Queer people, and their allies have had as part of wider society. The month also recognises the discrimination. and physical and mental violence that LGBT+ people have suffered.

As recent signatories to the RIBA’s Inclusion Charter, we welcome diversity and promote inclusion within our studios. However, it is important to recognise that discriminatory behaviour within the workplace, be it discrimination related to someone’s sexuality, gender, race, ability, culture, religion, or age still occurs on a daily basis. It is equally important to remember that it is up to us as employers and employees, colleagues, and friends within the workplace, to recognise discrimination and call it out!

Up until 2003 in the UK no legislation existed to protect your employment should you be discriminated against because of your sexual orientation. LGBT rights as well as a whole series of other ‘protected characteristics’ are now protected by law. The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in society as a whole. It sets out the different ways in which it’s unlawful to treat someone.

The first LGBT+ History Month in the UK was celebrated in 2005. Since 2011, LGBT+ History Month has taken a different theme each year. The Theme of this year’s LGBT month is ‘Body, Mind and Sprit’ which seems particularly apt for all of us during the pandemic. We are all beginning to realise the impact that the pandemic has had on our mental health and well-being. In more ordinary times, members of the LGBT community, as a direct result of discrimination, are:

- More likely to experience a range of mental health problems such as depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm and alcohol and substance misuse.

- At a greater risk of experiencing hate crime compared to heterosexual people, with certain LGBT groups found to be at particular risk, including gay men, young people and those identifying as LGBT from black and ethnic minority groups.

- Are less satisfied with their life than the general UK population.

Remembering the history of the LGBT+ community is to realise that we've come a long way, but also to realise that we need to support each other and celebrate our diversity. Everyone should be able to bring their whole self to work.