1

LGBT+ History Month Events – February 2024

|

Join us in celebrating LGBT+ History Month with a series of engaging events across the University of Edinburgh. This year, we’re focusing on the theme of Medicine and the contributions of the LGBT+ community to science, culture, and society. Here’s what’s happening:

SPN- history month calendar 2024   

Highlighted Event

LGBT+ History in Science and Microscopy Evening with SPN-LGBT+Bio [Register HERE]

  • When: Wednesday, 21 February 2024, 6-7.30pm
  • Where: Ashworth 80, Biology Teaching Laboratories, Ashworth Laboratories, Kings Buildings
  • Details: A special celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month focusing on queer scientists’ contributions. Enjoy talks and hands-on experience with advanced microscopy technology. An evening of discovery and creativity awaits!

Academic and Community Events

Film Screening: “Framing Agnes” 

  • When: Wednesday, 14 February, 4pm (Film starts at 4:15pm)
  • Where: Screening Room, 50 George Square
  • Details: An award-winning documentary exploring discussions between trans clients and Dr. Harold Garfinkel at UCLA in the 1950s and 1960s. Open to all staff and students. Please register in advance. BYO cinema snacks!
  • Please register to attend

LGBTQ+ History Month Celebration by the Chaplaincy

BioQuarter Pride Committee Seminar: Our History in Medicine

  • When: Monday, 26 February, 3:30-5pm
  • Where: Seminar room 1.04, Niche cafe, Institute for Regeneration & Repair, Edinburgh BioQuarter
  • Details: Afternoon of flash talks, coffee, and cake celebrating our history in medicine. Open to research, teaching, clinical, and professional services staff.

Trans Inclusive Educational Spaces Register HERE

  • When: Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:00 – 17:30 GMT
  • Where: The MacLaren Stuart Room, Old College, The University of Edinburgh
  • Details: Educator Jo Brassington joins us to host this workshop that will explore steps that can be taken to making PPLS an LGBT+ inclusive space. (Note: open to all UoE).

HCA School LGBTQ+ History Month guest lecture Register HERE.

  • When: Wednesday, 28 February 2024, 4-5.30pm
  • Where: Lecture Theatre 1, Appleton Tower
  • Details: Emeritus Professor of Cultural History and Sexuality Studies at the University of Manchester Laura Doan will give a lecture entitled, “Designs on Nature: Reinventing the Unnatural.” A reception will follow.

Recovering LGBTQ+ Student Voices at the University of Edinburgh: An Archival Project Register HERE

  • When: 28 February 2024 17:30 – 19:30
  • Where: Ground Floor Foyer, Chrystal MacMillan Building
  • Details: Join us for a roundtable discussion that will launch an archival project by the LGBTQ+ Liberation Campaign and the Centre for Research Collections. The project will highlight LGBTQ+ student voices at the University of Edinburgh (1968-present). At the roundtable, students and archivists working on the project, as well as academic researchers will to reflect on the importance of archival work for the LGBTQ+ community and questions of silence in the archive and oral history. The roundtable itself will be preceded by a small reception hosted by GENDER.ED. All are welcome!

Staff Pride Network (SPN) Socials and Feel Good Walks

Join us for a series of enriching walks and social gatherings this February, organized by the Staff Pride Network in celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month. These events are designed to offer a welcoming space for mental, social, and physical wellbeing, through open dialogues and shared experiences.

Central Campus Walk

  • Date: Thursday, 1 February
  • Time: 11:15am to 11:45am
  • Meeting Point: Old College Quad
  • Details: A collaboration with Active Lives and the EUSA LGBTQ+ Campaign, aiming to build community and share space for meaningful engagement.

Evening Social at the Royal Dick Bar, Summerhall [Details HERE]

  • When: Friday, 2 February, 5:30-10pm
  • Details: Casual Friday evening social for LGBT+ colleagues, committee members, and allies. A great opportunity to unwind and meet new people.

Kings Buildings Walk

  • When: Friday, 9 February, 12:30-1:30pm
  • Meeting Point: Front of the Nucleus Building
  • Coordinator: David Radford, SPN Social & Events Officer
  • Details: In collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Campaign, this walk promotes an inclusive space for mental and social wellbeing, encouraging open and positive conversations.

Kings Buildings Coffee & Cake @ Nucleus Cafe [Details HERE]

  • When: Wednesday, 21 February, 1-2pm
  • Details: Drop in for coffee, cake, and conversation. Open to all LGBT+/ally staff and PhD students.

BioQuarter Coffee & Cake Social and Walk [Register HERE]

  • When: Thursday, 22 February, 12:30pm to 1:30pm
  • Where: Meet at the Niche Cafe, located within the BioQuarter
  • Details: This month’s informal Coffee and Cake social event, hosted by the BioQuarter Pride Committee in collaboration with the Staff Pride Network, begins with delightful refreshments followed by a leisurely walk. The gathering aims to create a friendly and inclusive environment for all participants. We alternate locations between the Jex-Blake Cafe and the Niche Cafe, offering variety and accessibility.

Special Note: While registration is not essential, it helps in planning for the cake. If feeling apprehensive, participants are encouraged to reach out via email (BioQuarter.Pride@ed.ac.uk) for any assistance or to arrange a meet-up before the event. Look for the table with rainbow flags 🌈 to find the group.

Central Coffee & Cake @ Bayes Cafe [Details HERE]

  • When: Wednesday, 28 February, 1-2pm
  • Details: Join us for coffee, cake, and meet the SPN committee members. Open to all LGBT+/ally staff and PhD students.

Active Lives Walks: For those interested in additional walking opportunities, please visit the University of Edinburgh’s Sport and Exercise page on Feel Good Walks.

Special Events

STUC LGBT+ Workers Committee – Recognising LGBT+ Discrimination in the Workplace: Online Event

  • When: Thursday, 15 February 2024, 18:00
  • Details: Hosted by the Scottish TUC LGBT+ Workers Committee, this online event discusses forms of LGBT+ discrimination in the workplace. Register here.

EUSA-CRC-GENDER.ED LGBTQ+ History Month Reception and Roundtable REGISTER

  • When: Wednesday, 28 February 2024, Reception 5.30-6.30pm, Roundtable 6.30-7.30pm
  • Where: Lecture Theatre 1, Appleton Tower
  • Details: The EUSA LGBTQ+ Liberation Campaign, the Centre for Research Collections and GENDER.ED are coming together to organise a reception and roundtable to launch an archival project on LGBTQ+ Student Voices at the University of Edinburgh.

IASH – Cutting Edges of the Decolonial: Thinking Anthropocentrism and Queerphobia from/in the Arab-majority World(s) REGISTER

  • When: Thursday, 29 February 2024, 17:30-18:30
  • Where: The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, 2 Hope Park Square, Edinburgh EH8 9NW
  • Details: IASH in partnership with Alwaleed Centre, GENDER.ED and RACE.ED present a talk by Dr Ali Kassem – Department of Sociology and Anthropology, National University of Singapore.

University of Edinburgh Students’ Association Events

  • Participation Art Event 1973: Provocation or Prophecy? on 13 February 17:30 Register here.
  • LGBTQ+ Histories, Health and Wellbeing Discovery Sessions on the 14 and 28 February.

For more information on any of the above events, please visit the Staff Pride Network Events page and keep an eye on university communications for any additional events or updates.