Liverpool has always been a city of firsts...🏳‍🌈

This February, we're celebrating the milestones of the LGBTQ+ community with this year's theme of Activism and Social Change. What better way to honour this year's theme than to look back at some of Liverpool's 'firsts' when it come to LGBT History achievements...just to name a few!

• In 1976 Gay Youth 'R' Out (GYRO) was founded in Liverpool, and is now officially the UK's longest running LGBTQ+ youth group
• Liverpool based soap opera, Brookside, featured the first openly gay character on a British TV series in 1985 and later the UK's first pre-watershed lesbian kiss.
• In the 1980s, Frankie Goes To Hollywood was the longest-running number 1 single in the UK. Holly Johnson and Paul Rutherford formed the Liverpool band that spent 9 weeks at the top with their hit "Two Tribes."
• Around the city you may see the gay quarter recognised with rainbow street signs, something we were the first British City to do, and Ullet Road Church hosted the first UK civil partnership on religious premises in 2012.
• Lastly in Sport and particularly Football. Everton F.C. became the first Premier League football team to wear rainbow laces in support of an anti-homophobia campaign. Likewise, Liverpool Football Club was the first Premier League club ever to be officially represented at a UK 'Pride' and later became the first British Premier League club to become a Stonewall Diversity Champion (Europe’s leading LGBTQ+ charity).

• "Hollyoaks" (another local TV soap) casted the first transgender actor to play a trans character. Actor, Annie Wallace, was the first transgender actor to be nominated for a BAFTA award.

So what's on in Liverpool this month and how can you celebrate LGBT+ History Month? 

What's on at the Guild of Students 💚

To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, the Guild have got a packed calendar including a movie night, meet-up and book club to celebrate with LGBT+ spotlight - more details here!

Visit the Holly Johnson Story 🎵

This Museum of Liverpool exhibition celebrates LGBTQ+ icon and Liverpool born, Holly Johnson, and the 40th anniversary of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood album. Hear stories from those who experienced the gay scene in the 1980s Britain at a time when social and political unrest began a cultural revolution. Tickets start at £5 and be booked on the Museum's website here.

'Queer Sew and Sew' embroidery workshop 🧵

Learn how to stitch and embroider your own tote bag at the Museum of Liverpool. All materials will be provided including designs so you can create a tote that will empower this year's theme of activism and social change on 15th Feb (find out more here).

You can also catch Trans Day of Visibility celebrations at the Museum of Liverpool next month! More info here!

For Your Pleasure: 15 Years of Duovision 🏳‍🌈

Check out Open Eye's exhibition of film and photography which celebrates 90s queer club culture in the UK. The exhibition showcases memories from  pioneering 90s nightclubs that were integral to queer expression. Catch the exhibition for free in the Mann Island gallery - more details here.

Dive into a book this LGBT+ History Month 📚

Download the Libby App for FREE and get access to over 200 books and audiobooks that celebrate LGBTQ+ identity. Listen and read from your phone, the perfect way to spend your 699 bus journey! 

The Libby App team are welcoming new recommendations if you have a perfect fit for the collection. See what's on offer to read here!

Follow @LGBTHistoryMonth 🤳

Founders of the UK LGBT+ History Month are sharing history and celebrating icons from around the world every day on their Instagram. Give them a follow and get your daily LGBT+ fix! 

LGBTQ+ Activists you should know about ✨

As part of LGBT+ history month, it is only right to find out more about the inspiring people who changed the world around us. Do you know who founded UK Black Pride? Or campaigned for the Transgender flag emoji? Find out more here.