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We had a lecture here talking about Queer's histories and cultures

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UCL LGBTQ+ SOCIETY WITH OPEN DOORS LONDONLGBTQ labels: conversations across generations, UCL students and Opening Doors London | UCL Play - UCL – University College London

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LGBTQ labels: conversations across generations, UCL students and Opening Doors London

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This film was produced for Faith Identity and Life: A tale of two ages at UCL. In this film, three intergenerational conversations (three UCL students and three members of Opening Doors London (ODL) who identify as LGBTQ+) intertwine to examine how labels can help strengthen a person's identity.

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Ancient Religion and Archaeology - Public Lecture Tickets, Wed 1 Mar 2023 at 18:00 | Eventbrite

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Oded Lipschits, Judah under the Assyrian Empire: New Insights from Archaeology
In 701 BCE, the Assyrian King Sennacherib led a destructive military campaign against the Kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem, its capital, was not destroyed. For this reason, the archaeology of Jerusalem and its surroundings has no "chronological anchor" that can distinguish between the days of Ahaz and Hezekiah (late 8th century BCE) and the days of King Manasseh (first half of the 7th century BCE). New excavations, new finds, and new tools recently developed in archaeological research now make it possible to illuminate the "archaeology of the days of Manasseh" and learn about the history of Jerusalem during this long and important period of Judah's subjugation to Assyrian imperial rule.

Safra Lecture Theatre, King's Building. 6 pm.

Wine and nibbles will be served in the Terrace cafe afterwards.

Professor Oded Lipschits is head of the MA Programme in Ancient Israel Studies and the International MA Program for the History and Archaeology of the Holy Land, based within the department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, Tel Aviv University. He also serves as Director of the Sonia and Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University. From 2004-2010 he served as director of the Ramat Rahel Archaeological Project and currently directs the Lautenschlaeger Excavations at Asekah and the Excavation in the temple of Tel Moza. He is the Laureate of the prestigious EMET Prize in the field of Archaeology for the current year.

The Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society (AIAS) is a non-political cultural charity. Its aim is to promote and support the archaeology of Israel and the wider Near East, through lectures, student grants, special events and its internationally-recognised journal, Strata.

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ancient religion and archaeology - public lecture

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ancient religion and archaeology - public lecture tickets

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ancient religion and archaeology - public lecture london

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ancient religion and archaeology - public lecture london tickets

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Ancient Religion and Archaeology - Public Lecture

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Oded Lipschits, Judah under the Assyrian Empire: New Insights from Archaeology In 701 BCE, the Assyrian King Sennacherib led a destructive military campaign against the Kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem, its capital, was not destroyed.

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LGBTQ+ History Month: Be inspired by UCL Library’s collection | Library Services - UCL – University College London

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LGBTQ+ authors, academics, poets and playwrights have made an outstanding contribution to the field of arts, culture and scholarship. At UCL we are lucky to have a large body of LGBTQ+ authored resources readily available from our library.

As busy students it may not always be immediately obvious what background or identity authors have; this is not necessarily a bad thing as each text has a unique contribution and every author a unique identity. However, LGBTQ+ History Month gives us an opportunity to delve deeper into the backgrounds of some of the most successful authors, allowing us to appreciate the special contribution LGBTQ+ people make to cultural and academic life.

In this article, I have focused my attention on Federico Garcia Lorca, Oscar Wilde and Michel Foucault and why I am inspired by them.

Selected Poems by Federico Garcia Lorca

I discovered the poems of Federico Garcia Lorca by accident whilst doing some personal research on the lead-up to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and was instantly captivated by his literature.

Well-known for his surreal and modernist style coupled with a rich backstory and historical context, Lorca's work is fortified by deep emotional power. In 1936, Lorca was brutally assassinated by fascists for being a socialist and gay man. But in 38 years, Lorca had made his name as a significant literary, political and historical figure.

In this month I think it is apt to share the inspiration that can be drawn from his Dark Love Sonnets available in Selected Poems (translated by Martin Sorrell) that he was revising at the time of his murder. These sonnets encapsulate the ways in which Lorca is simultaneously a literary marvel and LGBTQ+ icon.

Published fifty years after Lorca's death, hidden by censorship and criminalisation of homosexuality, the sonnets provide an insight into an expression of "forbidden love" intended for an unknown lover. The political and emotional contexts, shrouded in a mystery about the intended recipient, uncovers the danger and torment LGBTQ+ people faced in their search for authenticity and self-expression.

Writing these poems was brave, for which Lorca is a cause for acclamation.

The Soul of Man under Socialism by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde is probably one of the most preeminent gay writers in Britain and many of you will have seen The Importance of Being Ernest or read The Picture of Dorian Gray. Whilst I would highly recommend both, and stress their ready availability from the library, I would like to draw attention to a lesser-known work called The Soul of Man under Socialism. This masterful social commentary takes a unique stance on socialism and altruism that challenges fin de siècle Victorian philanthropy and, equally, our own modern conventional wisdom on the ills of poverty and barriers to social inclusion.

Wilde's irreverent challenge to Victorian institutions and distinctive lucidity in exposing the hypocritical moral undertones of contemporary society is inspirational. His confidence and ability to expose elusive or uncomfortable truths is admirable.

As a history student, I can't help but sense Wilde's knowledge of Marx, but his tone curiously speaks to both libertarian and anarchist ideologies making this a useful source in the history of political thought.

This month, we should draw inspiration from the way in which Wilde's experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community can provide us with deeper inferences behind his ground-breaking contribution to social commentary in this essay.

The History of Sexuality by Michel Foucault

Finally, I would like to raise awareness about the scholarship of Michel Foucault.

I was first introduced to Foucault at the beginning of my degree initially finding his historical, sociological and philosophical concepts challenging and difficult to grasp. However, after much perseverance I grew an affection for the sophistication with which he provides useful tools for, amongst other things, historical analysis. Recently I have been using the concept of the "cultivation of the self" available in his History of Sexuality (translated by Robert Hurley).

But don't be fooled by my historical purview, this book is not only useful for a history student - in fact, it offers an extensive philosophical insight into sexuality as far back as ancient times.

With LGBTQ+ History Month in mind, this is as an especially important time to learn more about LGBTQ+ self-expression, along with the ways in which sexuality is more generally understood by society and individuals alike. Sadly, Foucault died of AIDs-related complications in 1984 leaving behind a wealth of scholarship that revolutionised the humanities and social sciences. Despite Foucault's polarising nature (which I believe is a greater reason to learn about him!), it is his legacy of academic theories and concepts that keeps his name on the tips of students' and professors' tongues that is inspiring.

Being able to sympathise with the lived experience of an author or academic produces a deeper meaning to the words they write. As a history student, I find the life stories of LGBTQ+ people inspiring. It is especially fascinating how, in many cases, the endurance of harrowing adversity and persecution failed to diminish LGBTQ+ writers' illuminating success and time-honoured contributions.

Even though I have only given a small snapshot of the UCL Library's extensive collection of LGBTQ+ authored material, I hope that by sharing the writers that inspire me encourages you to make best use of the library to discover your own inspiring LGBTQ+ authors and academics.

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LGBTQ+ History Month: Be inspired by UCL Library's collection

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LGBTQ+ authors, academics, poets and playwrights have made an outstanding contribution to the field of arts, culture and scholarship. At UCL we are lucky to have a large body of LGBTQ+ authored resources readily available from our library.

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SOAS University of London, Thornhaugh Street, London

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SOAS University of London, Thornhaugh Street, London

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SOAS University of London, Thornhaugh Street, London

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The Centre for Gender Studies (SOAS) presents this conference, bringing perspectives together that see feminisms as plural and intersectional and understand fighting misogyny as interconnected with fighting lesbo- and queerphobia, transphobia, racism, border regimes, Islamophobia and classism.We are the feminisms in the lecture theatres (and in the streets) Tickets, Sat 4 Feb 2023 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

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We are the feminisms in the lecture theatres (and in the streets)

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Feminisms are intersectional, transnational and interconnected with fighting racism and hate against lesbians, trans + queer people.

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Career Advice for LGBTQ+ Students | Office of the President and Provost (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) - UCL – University College London

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Office of the President and Provost (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)

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Finding your first job is always hard, regardless of what career path you take, however for LGBTQ+ students in particular, there is added pressure to find the right employer. It is extremely important that your employer supports and acknowledges LGBTQ+ inclusion. Whether or not you decide to be openly out in your work environment is entirely up to you. However, you should always feel comfortable at work to completely be yourself, and not worry that being LGBTQ+ may hinder your daily life or career progression.

For more information on inclusive employers visit the Stonewall website: Stonewall Starting Out Guide

There are countless LGBTQ+ 'role models' who all hold extremely important positions within their companies and only openly came out many years into their career.
Read their stories here: Out at Work

Useful Links
UCL Career Service

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Finding your first job is always hard, regardless of what career path you take, however for LGBTQ+ students in particular, there is added pressure to find the right employer. It is extremely important that your employer supports and acknowledges LGBTQ+ inclusion. Whether or not you decide to be openly out in your work environment is entirely up to you.

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Bloomsbury Fitness, Gordon Street, London

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Bloomsbury Fitness, Gordon Street, London

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Bloomsbury Fitness, Gordon Street, London

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LGBTQ+ × Sports Society
many sports societies have taster sessions welcoming LGBTQ+ members

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Gay's The Word, Marchmont Street, London

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Gay's The Word, Marchmont Street, London

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Gay's The Word, Marchmont Street, London

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UCL LGBTQ+ society has many collaborations with this bookstore
pros: Students can have extra discounts and we can also see independent publishers in the bookstore

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UCL Student Centre, Gordon Square, London

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UCL Student Centre, Gordon Square, London

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UCL Student Centre, Gordon Square, London

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LGBT+ History Month at UCL | UCL News - UCL – University College London

LGBTQ+ student podcast recording

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A foreword from Noël Caliste, LGBTQ+ Envoy, Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Implementation Group, and Seyi Osi, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Students' Union UCL

LGBT+ History Month is a time to reflect on the culture and contributions of queer people.

UCL was built on the principle of being radically inclusive and progressive, welcoming students of any race, class, or religion. It was also the first university to admit women on equal terms with men.

In a time when many people feel that LGBTQ+ equality has 'gone too far' and that progress has long passed its appropriate endpoint, it's important to remember that being boldly inclusive, especially towards society's most marginalised groups, is central to UCL's ethos. The university's spiritual founder, Jeremy Bentham, was no stranger to this ethos and even advocated for the decriminalisation of homosexual acts in the late 1700s.

While progress for LGBTQ+ people has come a long way since UCL's inception, many members of our community, particularly those who are transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming still face disproportionate levels of discrimination and violence.

The reality is: transgender and gender non-conforming people have existed for hundreds (if not thousands) of years all over the world, from sitting within elite households in pre-colonial India to standing up at the Stonewall Riots of 1969, however despite their longstanding history and their pivotal role in the modern gay rights movement, trans people who are seeking to live their lives authentically and peacefully are continuously targeted and made into the subject of debate.

Trans people make up an estimated 0.5% of the UK population, making them a vulnerable minority and instead of offering compassionate understanding and genuine interest in their wellbeing, the media (in particular) vilifies them and depicts them as a danger, despite statistics showing that trans people are far more likely to suffer violence than inflict it.

We only need to look at how Scotland's recent Gender Recognition Bill (which sought to alleviate some of the hefty administrative burden of transitioning gender) was vetoed and then lambasted by the media to understand how hostile the environment is for trans people at the moment.

Now more than ever, it's vital that everyone, LGBTQ+ or ally, supports the most vulnerable members of the community. History months are a good starting point for reflection; however, inclusion needs to go beyond the month of February. If you're keen to learn more about being an affective ally all year round please take the time to up on issues affecting queer people, engage with content written from the perspective of trans people and look into ways of how you can make your work / place of study more inclusive.

UCL's LGBTQ+ Equality Implementation Group (LEIG) is currently working on a comprehensive action plan to improve the experience of queer staff and students across the university. If you want to learn more about LEIG's work, information and minutes from meetings are publicly available on the LEIG webpage.

While the road to progress can be challenging, there is a strong community of LGBTQ+ staff, students, and allies at UCL who are supportive and committed to liberation. To stay up-to-date with LGBTQ+ news and social events, please do feel free to join our staff network, Out@UCL. You can also view UCL's support for students as well as information for LGTBQ+ allies.
Noël Caliste - Deputy Director of Operations at The Bartlett; LGBTQ+ Envoy; Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Implementation Group Seyi Osi - Equity and Inclusion Officer, Students' Union UCL
LGBT+ History Month, marked annually every February, is a month-long celebration of LGBT+ culture, lives and history and an opportunity to commemorate and reflect on the achievements and contributions of LGBT+ people and their lived experiences.

This year's theme is #BehindTheLens, and aims to highlight the contributions of LGBT+ people to cinema and film - including screen writers, directors, producers, make-up artists and musicians - from behind the lens.

A range of events and activities will be taking place at UCL throughout February and beyond to mark the month. Please see below for our current list of scheduled events, as well as key resources and UCL networks.

Events

26 January - [ONLINE/FOR ALL]: Policy & Practice: Challenges Faced by LGBTIQ+ Migrants and Asylum Seekers

You can view the recording of this event on the Department of Political Science YouTube channel.

Throughout February - [ONLINE AND IN PERSON/FOR STUDENTS] Students' Union UCL's LGBT+ History Month Programme

Students' Union UCL are hosting a range of activities throughout the month, from drop-ins to seminars and a book club - there's something for everyone to get involved with! Find out more on the Students' Union UCL website.

4 February - [IN PERSON/FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS]: Conference: We are the feminisms in the lecture theatres (and in the streets) | BOOK NOW

The Centre for Gender Studies (SOAS) presents this conference, bringing perspectives together that see feminisms as plural and intersectional and understand fighting misogyny as interconnected with fighting lesbo- and queerphobia, transphobia, racism, border regimes, Islamophobia and classism.

6 February - [IN PERSON/FOR ALL]: UCL History Department LGBT+ Network present: Emerging Research in Modern LGBTQ+ Histories | No need to book!

Join us in the Haldane Room (Wilkins Building) on Monday 6 February, 5pm-6.30pm.

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7 February - [ONLINE/FOR STUDENTS]: Spotlight on Inclusion: LGBTQ+ careers panel | BOOK NOW

Hear LGBTQ+ professionals from Ocado, the Aston Martin Formula One Team, Dyson and more chat about their career paths and LGBTQ+ identity in the workplace. Part of the London Russell Group universities' Spotlight On Inclusion events series, this panel event will be hosted online.

8 February - [ONLINE/FOR ALL]: Unmaking Sex: The Gender Outlaws of Nineteenth-Century France | BOOK NOW

Join Anne Linton - Associate Professor of French at San Francisco State University - for a talk on her recent book, Unmaking Sex: The Gender Outlaws of Nineteenth-Century France - the first of its kind to examine intersex in both medicine and literature.

9 February - [IN PERSON/FOR ALL]: LGBT+ History Month Film Screening of: Milk (2008) | BOOK NOW

The biopic of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. Join us at the Ear Institute, 4-6.30pm.

15 February - [IN PERSON/FOR ALL]: LGBT+ History Month Film Screening of: Carol (2015) | BOOK NOW

Carol tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer and an older woman going through a difficult divorce.

20 February - [ONLINE/FOR ALL]: Queering Language in the Polish vs English Contexts | BOOK NOW

When did speech become the subject of gendered analysis in Poland and the UK? And is it possible to eradicate linguistic sexism? Join SSEES for this talk and Q+A session on the development of queer linguistic discourses.

22 February - [ONLINE/FOR ALL]: Inclusive Spaces: LGBTQIA+ Places and Stories | BOOK NOW

Brought to you by the Bartlett Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group and the editors of 'Queer Spaces', this virtual event explores the past and present life of LGBTQIA+ spaces around the world - and their worthy place in history.

22 February - [ONLINE/FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS]: Wellbeing workshop for LGBTQ+ Students | BOOK NOW

Student Support and Wellbeing have partnered with the Step-Up Universities Projectto give LGBTQ+ students a chance to reflect together, share practical resources and gain some new tools and resources to support their wellbeing. This workshop is exclusively for LGBTQ+ students and is delivered by trained LGBTQ+ student facilitators.

23 February - [IN PERSON/FOR ALL]: LGBT+ History Month Film Screening of: Swan Song (2021) | BOOK NOW

This heart-warming film, starring Udo Kier and Jennifer Coolidge, follows retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger - once renowned as the "Liberace of Sandusky" - as he takes a long walk to style his former client's hair for her funeral.

24 February - [IN PERSON/FOR ALL]: LGBT+ History Month 2023 Lecture: Antinous - Last God of the Ancient World | BOOK NOW

Drawing upon archaeological and textual sources, this lavishly illustrated lecture will consider Antinous' religious and artistic legacy and his continuing influence in the modern world as the inspiration of artists, writers, and film-makers.

25 February - [IN PERSON/FOR STUDENTS IN HALLS]: An LGBTQ+ Museum Visit with UCL Accommodation | BOOK NOW

Step back in time for a journey through history at Queer Britain, the UK's first permanent LGBTQ+ museum and The British Museum. Along the way, you'll also stop over at the legendary Gay's the Word bookstore.

1 March-18 August 2023 - [IN PERSON/FOR ALL]: Blueprints of Hope: Celebrating LGBTQ+ London | BOOK NOW

A free exhibition in UCL's Octagon Gallery celebrating London's queer cityscape, curated by London-based collective Gedney Common in response to research by UCL Urban Laboratory (Urban Lab) evidencing a drop of 58% in London's LGBTQ+ venues between 2006 and 2017.

15 March - [IN PERSON/FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS]: Inclusive Spaces: Trans Visibility and the City | BOOK NOW

This online event - part of the Bartlett's Inclusive Spaces series - explores trans people's experiences of in/visibility in urban spaces and city life, and the contradictions that can make them simultaneously hyper-visible and hyper-vulnerable.

Podcasts and recordings

Nick and coming out as gay | LISTEN HERE

In this third episode of the UCL Remarkable Stories podcast series, Nick Coveney - a publisher and UCL alumnus - shares his personal experiences of coming out as gay and growing up as someone in the LGBTQ+ community.

London's Queer Infrastructure | LISTEN HERE

How have movements for LGBTQ+ rights and equality connected with the governance of cities? And how do they, and the venues and neighbourhoods they identify with, feature in urban planning and development? Stream this Lunch hour Lecture to find out more.

LGBTQ+ Histories at UCL | LISTEN HERE

Featuring UCL academics Bob Mill and Alex Parsons, plus London South Bank University Emeritus Professor Jeffrey Weeks, this podcast episode explores UCL's rich and varied LGBTQ+ histories - including some of its celebrated alumni.

An interview with London Night Czar Amy Lamé | WATCH HERE

Watch Professor Ben Campkin's chat with Amy Lamé on her experience co-running Duckie - an LGBTQ+ club night and social enterprise - for 25 years, and the connections between migration, night spaces and LGBTQ+ communities.

This webpage will be updated with additional events as they are announced - please do check back! If you are hosting a UCL event for LGBT+ History Month that you'd like included in this article, get in touch with us here.

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A foreword from Noël Caliste, LGBTQ+ Envoy, Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Implementation Group, and Seyi Osi, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Students' Union UCL LGBT+ History Month is a time to reflect on the culture and contributions of queer people.

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LGBTQ+ Support and Guidance | Office of the President and Provost (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) - UCL – University College London
LGBT+ staff and student support guidance

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Office of the President and Provost (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)

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Sexual orientation can be a complex area, especially for managers who are not lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) themselves, do not know any LGB people or who have little experience of managing diverse teams. This guidance is intended to equip managers with the understanding and expertise they need to m…