The University is celebrating LGBT History Month with a series of events celebrating its LGBT staff and research.

Film screenings, music and poetry readings, panel discussions and public lectures will explore the diverse aspects of LGBT culture and history — from local musicians and poets to debates on the public image of bisexuality and the participation of trans people in sport.

Key events throughout the month include:

• Call Me Kuchu screening, New Art Exchange, Thursday 12 February

A screening of the documentary Call Me Kuchu, which examines the lives of LGBT men and women — ‘kuchus’ — in Uganda, in the shadow of the country’s strict anti-homosexuality laws.
A talk by Bisi Alimi — Nigerian gay rights activist and HIV/LGBT advocate — follows the screening. Bisi was the first man to publicly come out as gay on Nigerian TV. He now lives in London.

• Read Hear, Nottingham Central Library, Saturday 21 February

LGBT musicians and poets will give short performances at Nottingham Central Library at this free event aimed at the whole family.

• Bambi screening, Nottingham Lakeside Arts, Monday 16 February

UoN history academics Dr Karen Adler and Dr Onni Gust introduce and discuss a screening of the documentary Bambi. The film profiles Marie-Pierre Pruvot, an Algerian-born trans woman who had a long career as a dancer and showgirl in Paris in the 1950s and 60s.

• The Enigma Problem: Alan Turing and the British Establishment, Jubilee Campus, Wednesday 25 February

Dr Max Biddulph, Chair of the LGBTQ Staff Network and Associate Professor in the School of Education, and Professor David Brailsford of the School of Computer Science examine the life and work of Alan Turing in this public lecture.

The full events programme is available on the University’s LGBT History Month blog, which will be updated regularly throughout February with more detail about events, and blog posts from staff whose research touches LGBT culture, history, politics and health.

The majority of events taking place, both on campus and in the city and county, are free and open to all unless otherwise stated on the events posters. Many of the events will be live tweeted on Twitter from @UoNresearch. Follow the account for updates.

The events programme is a collaboration between the University’s HR and Professional Development departments, the LGBTQ Staff Network, and schools and departments across the institution.

Dr Max Biddulph, Chair of the University’s LGBTQ Staff Network, explains: “LGBT History Month is a great opportunity for the University to celebrate and highlight both our LGBT staff, and our research. We hope to give people a chance to learn more about LGBT issues, culture and history, challenge and debate their current thinking, and to be entertained.”

For more information visit the LGBT History Month blog or email claire.henson@nottingham.ac.uk

Picture shows the rainbow flag flying over the Trent Building during Nottinghamshire Pride in July 2014.