LGBT+ History Month

09 February 2021

In recent history, there's been much progress for LGBT people in the fight for equality. In 2014, the UK joined the ranks of countries legalising same sex marriage. Equal marriage laws now exist in 29 countries.

With so much to celebrate across the globe, it's easy to forget that millions of LGBT couples have no protection under the law, or worse - their love is against the law. Same-sex relationships are still illegal in 70 countries.

While we celebrate LGBT history month this year, it's important we acknowledge that the global struggle for equality continues.

We've got lots of blogs and events lined up for you this month:

Park House

Check out our display boards in the common areas, and then put your knowledge to the test with our online Pride Quiz. There'll be fabulous prizes for the winners

Quiz available from 1^st – 8^th Feb, winner announced on 9^th Feb

Platt and Writte House, Middlesex

Monday 1^st – Sunday 7^th
‘Wear it with pride!’ we’ll be giving out heart shaped rainbow pins for every student, a fantastic way to show you’re an ally for the community.

Monday 8^th – Sunday 14^th
We’ll be giving you all the ingredients you need to make your own rainbow cupcakes.
Collect from reception between 10am and 4pm. Or register your interest before the 8^th and we can drop off to your flat.

Monday 15^th – Sunday 21^st
Show your colours and pick up a DIY Tie Dye T-Shirt kit.
Collect from reception between 10am and 4pm. Or register your interest before the 15^th and we can drop off to your flat.

Monday 22^nd – Sunday 28^th
We'll have a selection of literature for you to read all from authors of the LQBTQ+ community.
Please register your interest before the 22^nd and we can drop off to your flat.

Housing With Pride Event

We've arranged a ‘Housing With Pride’ event with talks from Bob Green OBE and Professor Andrew King.
Housing can be a major concern for members of the LGBTQ+ community. From being a young trans person thrown out of the family home because your family do not support you; a couple who feels the need to hide photos and personal objects from their Housing Officers when they come to visit; to an older person feeling the need to go ‘back in to the closet’ when you move into a scheme, and live a lie in your later years.

Our event ‘Housing with Pride’ is on Tuesday 23 February from 2-3pm.

Get more information here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/139824088613

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home.

Our speakers are:

Bob Green OBE – former CEO of Stonewall Housing and now a consultant working on the UK’s first LGBT Extra Care Scheme. Bob will be talking to us about the project.

Professor Andrew King – University of Surrey and Co-Director of the Centre for Research on Ageing & Gender. Andrew will be discussing the Secure, Accessible, Friendly, Equal (SAFE) Housing and No Place Like Home research as well as his current project – Housing With Pride.

Keep the conversation going!

We’ve created two new filters on Instagram for you to use, enjoy and share. To find them head over to @optivohomes and click on the LGBTQ+ highlight. Share your photos and videos, let’s keep the conversation going and tag us so we can see them too!

Optivo Students