1st February marks the beginning of LGBT+ History Month. Launched in 2005, LGBT+ History Month is a time when people come together to share and tell stories of the experiences, lives and achievements of LGBT+ people throughout society. Just like with Black History Month (October) or Disability History Month (which runs from November into December), it's typically filled with events (check ours out here) and discussion. LGBT+ History Month reminds us of the progress we've made, but also warns us about the injustices that we have only recently escaped - and injustices that are still with us.

This LGBT+ History Month we'll be looking at some of the powerful stories about and told by LGBT+ people throughout time. We'll be looking at the injustices that LGBT+ people have lived with, and at how far we've come.

But although we've come far, the struggle is not over. LGBT+ people still face injustices, institutional failures, and particular challenges: from improving LGBT+ inclusive education and health services, to tackling transphobia and biphobia, and ensuring victims of hate crime get the support they need there is still much to do.

There are countless LGBT+ Councillors and campaigners working for their communities right across the country.

Your donation will help LGBT+ Liberal Democrats fund and support these candidates.

If we really want to achieve LGBT+ equality, then we need LGBT+ people at the table at every level.

Donate to the fighting fund here

Tuesday's judgement shows once again the damaging impact of the alarmist rhetoric around trans young people which we have seen in the media in recent years. It could have a significant negative impact on trans young people that require hormone blockers, and undermines young people's bodily autonomy.

By LGBT+ Liberal Democrats and the Lib Dem Health and Care Association. An abridged version of this piece first appeared on the federal party website (see here).

This World AIDs Day we have the opportunity to set ourselves an ambitious but achievable target: to end the transmission of HIV in England by 2030. Published today, the HIV Commission has outlined 20 measures necessary to achieve this worthy goal. As Liberal Democrats we have a responsibility to help make sure that we achieve it.

To mark Transgender Awareness Week 2020, LGBT+ Lib Dems are launching this collection of resources on trans issues.

We hope members who are less familiar with trans issues will find them helpful in feeling well-informed enough to respond to questions about party policy on these issues. If you have feedback or suggestions for ways to expand on what we are offering here, please do get in touch at the address shown above.

2020 has been a tumultuous year - and particularly so for members of the trans community. As the Liberal Democrats commemorate Trans Visibility Week and the Trans Day of Remembrance, we reflect on the challenges faced this year - and call on all liberals to recommit to the fight for justice and dignity for all.

Content warning: Suicide.

Justin Fashanu began his career as an apprentice with Norwich City, having impressed as part of their academy, and signed his first professional contract in December 1978 aged just 17. Fashanu became the first black footballer to command a £1 million transfer fee when he made the move from Norwich City to Nottingham Forest in 1981.

Fashanu became the first openly gay professional footballer when he made a public announcement in the Sun newspaper in October 1990. He stated that his fellow players generally accepted him well following his announcement, but he was nonetheless aware of malicious jokes made about his sexual orientation, and came to be a target of constant crowd abuse because of it. After moving to the US in 1998 he was questioned by police when a 17-year-old boy accused him of sexual assault. Fashanu fled to England where he tragically took his own life in May 1998. According to the note he left, he feared he would not get a fair trial because of his homosexuality.

To this day, Justin Fashanu remains the only openly gay professional player in English football. His decision to come out publicly led him to be considered by many in the game as a pioneer and an inspiration beyond the world of football. Fashanu was listed at number 99 in The Pink Paper's Top 500 Gay Heroes and in March 2009, a football team named The Justin Fashanu All-Stars was named in his honour at an event run by the Justin Campaign, a campaign against homophobia in football which promoted the inclusion of openly gay players in the game.

In 2019, The Justin Fashanu Foundation was founded in his memory by his niece Amal Fashanu, with the aim of confronting prejudice in football, with a special focus on the LGBT+ community. On the 19th February 2020, on what would have been his 59th birthday, Fashanu became the latest inductee to the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame.

On Thursday 15 October the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats launched the LGBT+ LD Councillors Network. The Network has been set up to connect LGBT+ Councillors from across the country, and to help LGBT+LD provide support and materials to those delivering for LGBT+ residents on the ground.

Last night members of the LGBT+LD Exec and LGBT+ Lib Dem Councillors from across the country met via Zoom to launch the LGBT+ LD Councillors Network. The Network will provide a platform to connect LGBT+ Councillors within the Liberal Democrats. It aims to "enable LGBT+ Councillors and Candidates to share best practice, provide moral support in a safe environment, and help connect Plus to the wider party, so that LGBT+ Lib Dems (SAO) can help the party's LGBT+ community to speak with a collective voice."