News | Monday, 3rd February 2020

Writers and lecturers share inspirations to celebrate LGBT History Month

Series of films will be released on social media throughout February

A series of films focusing on inspirational LGBT writers is being created by Manchester Metropolitan University’s Department of English to celebrate LGBT History Month 2020. 

LGBT History Month is an annual celebration that raises awareness and insight into the issues that the LGBT community faces. It also celebrates the history and achievements of the LGBT community, helping to increase their visibility. 

To mark this year’s theme of Poetry, Prose and Plays, the Department of English has created ‘LGBT Writers’, a series of short films that will be released daily on social media throughout February. Colleagues and friends of the University were invited to feature in these films, speaking about an inspirational LGBT writer who is important to them. 

Highlights of the films will include Dr Samantha Colling, Lecturer in Film and Media, talking about the novelist Sarah Waters and screenwriter Desiree Akhavan, Jennifer Makumbi, Senior Lecturer, discussing the Nigerian-American writer Chike Frankie Edozien, Gary Williams, from Make a Scene Manchester speaking about songwriter Neil Tennant and Chloe Cousins, from community group Rainbow Noir, discussing poet and novelist Jackie Kay. 

The series of films will also focus on important historical figures including writer Horace Walpole, poet W.H. Auden and artist, film-maker and writer Derek Jarman. 

Dr Andrew Moor, Reader in Cinema History said: “Rather than hosting a one-off event, we decided to create a series of short films and to release one per day throughout February. For each film, we invited a colleague or friend of the University to speak about a LGBT writer who means something to them.” 

“All of the chosen writers are people who deserve to be mentioned and the variety of writers discussed is testimony to the richness and diversity within the LGBT community. We are extremely grateful to everybody who has taken part in this project.” 

For each film, we invited a colleague or friend of the University to speak about a LGBT writer who means something to them.

Stuart McKenna, Equality & Diversity Manager said: “I am absolutely delighted that the University is supporting this project throughout LGBT History Month. Unlike a one-off event, this project will demonstrate the range and diversity within our LGBTQ communities. I am really looking forward to hearing about all of the inspirational LGBTQ writers who will be profiled as part of this event.”