Pride in Moray and Forres Academy celebrate LGBTQ+ history month

NOW is the perfect time to find of more about Scotland's LGBTQ+ historical figures, with displays set up in Moray libraries to celebrate LGBTQ+ history month this February.

Pride in Moray have been working closely with Forres Academy's LGBT+ group to research this year's theme of medicine and the groups have created a display in Forres library which focuses on HIV and transgender medical areas.

The team have also been working with the libraries throughout Moray to create displays in Elgin, Buckie and Keith. The aim is to create awareness of LGBTQ+ history and issues and to promote acceptance. Pride in Moray are also sharing information on their Facebook page about key figures in Scottish history.

David Harrison, Chair of Pride in Moray committee said: "As with any historical area, its always important to know where we've come from and how we move forward to make sure we don't make the same mistakes, but with regards to LGBT history it's also important to know that the LGBT community has always been here.

"Quite often people have an assumption that we had never existed before and that is actually not true. Some of the historical figures we have been sharing and the ones the kids have researched were gay, lesbian or transgender but were not perhaps overly open about it at the time. So the LGBT community has always been here but we have not been allowed to be as visible about it, at that time it would have been a crime for them to be a part of the community.

"That's why pride history month is incredibly important, it's about remembering how we've got here and recognising those people."