Elim Supports LGBT+ History Month 2024

LGBT+ History Month UK is an annual event celebrating the rich history and achievements of the LGBT+ community, founded in 2004 by ‘Schools Out’ project. It provides a platform to highlight key figures, events, and milestones in the ongoing fight for LGBT+ rights and acceptance. This years theme ‘Medicine – #UnderTheScope’ celebrates LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to the field of Healthcare both historically and today.

We know that young LGBT+ people are especially vulnerable and disproportionately affected by homelessness. A report by LGBT youth homeless charity Akt found that, “once homeless, LGBT+ young people are more likely to face violence, develop substance misuse issues and be exposed to sexual exploitation than their non-LGBTQ+ peers”, all of which increase the impacts of homelessness on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing, and make it harder to find a home.

We were proud to formalise our partnership work with SARI in 2023, with a specific focus on raising awareness of and tackling hate crime. Through the expansion of Elim’s learning and development programme, we continue to develop our colleagues’ knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusion and better equip our whole team to support our customers and colleagues.

Later this year, we will be attending Bristol Pride for the third year running, celebrating diversity, inclusivity, individuality, respect and unity not just across Elim, but across our communities. You will find us in the community tent and we look forward to seeing many of you there.

Continued Learning

To continue our learning, over the course of February we will be sharing a number of resources and case studies via Elim’s social media, some of which are below, that will enable all of us to take the time to reflect, learn and take action where appropriate. 

Listen: Morgan M Page, Jana Funke and Senthorum Raj look at how we apply modern LGBT+ language and identities to historical figures both real and fictional in this thought provoking podcast.

Laila is an Education Consultant and Trainer who specialises in LGBT training and support in Further Education and ESOL. Listen at OUTtakes, Reel Rebels Radio. 

Watch: Thinking about our older LGBT+ community and the services they need, as highlighted in this short film by LGBT SAND- Embrace Campaign Launch Oct 2019. 

Are You Proud? shows how far LGBT equality has come – and how far there is left to go. 

Support: Hidayah is a national non-incorporated charity founded in 2017 to support LGBTQI+ Muslims. Its aims are to increase the visibility and voices of LGBTQI+ Muslims and provide emotional and well-being support. 

The Proud Trust are on hand to provide support and guidance for young LGBT+ individuals and can provide support around topics such as coming out, exploring identity and connection to faith and religion.