For centuries the contribution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to society has been ignored. Until recently most LGBT people preferred to avoid attention to escape victimisation and harassment. This prejudice was enforced by law. In the UK it is only circa 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised.

In recent years the notorious Section 28 restricted any positive debate about homosexuality especially in schools. Section 28 was finally repealed in 2003, but its legacy means that many schools and local authorities fail to have any positive debate about LGBT issues in the classroom. In 2005 Civil Partnerships came into law with full legal rights for same sex marriage in 2014 in England, Scotland and Wales. The Northern Irish Executive has stated that there is no intent to legalise Same sex marriages. Of the fourteen British Overseas Territories and the three Crown dependencies, same-sex marriage is legal only in the Pitcairn Islands. Civil partnerships are available in Jersey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar.

Much progress has since been made and now legislation protects rather than prosecutes LGBT people. But homophobic bullying is prevalent in our schools and workplaces, and prejudice is still alive and well.

In many countries around the world people from LGBT communities are marginalised, and face persecution, and in some countries even the death sentence.

LGBT History Month is important to counter these centuries of marginalisation.

PCS is proud of its achievements in supporting and promoting equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the union, in the workplace and beyond. PCS as a union is committed to supporting equality for all.

LGBT History Month is an opportunity for us to celebrate the contribution made by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and to reflect on the damage that centuries of homophobia has caused.