Jonah Graham - Welfare and Liberation Officer

Whether that’s learning about Stonewall and the subsequent pride movement, the gay liberation front of the early 1970s, the Black and Trans ball culture that has been adopted by the mainstream through global through drag performing, the series of landmark legal/policy decisions that has led to trans recognition, or queer stories from communities across the globe that I am still unfamiliar with. If I do not learn my history, not only will I be doing a disservice to those who came before, but how will I know where my community should be headed?

History month is a chance for us to look back and tell the stories that have been lost. Throughout history, queer stories have been forgotten, overlooked, and repressed. Recently more have become mainstream: Alan Turing, Stonewall etc. But there are others from intersecting marginalised communities who were not given the credit they deserve. History month is a chance for our community to gain a platform we do not have all year round – a platform that we can lend to our predecessors.

History month is a moment of reflection. Personal histories are just as important as global or national ones. Pride can sound reductive or even overly commercial – but to me it’s an aspiration. Learning to be proud of my own gender non-conformity and sexuality has been a journey of self-acceptance, forged in environments where they have been the reasons for mistreatment. History month gives me a chance to reflect – I have had the privilege and honour of representing my community and continue to push myself to be authentically and visibly queer. I hope history month gives people the chance to do the same.