Supporting LGBT+ History Month 2026

Derby and Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are proud to celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2026.

As we recognise both the achievements and the struggles of LGBTQ+ people throughout history, we reaffirm our commitment to building a future where everyone is valued, represented, and able to thrive.

LGBT+ History Month is an annual celebration of the lives, achievements, and contributions of LGBT+ people across history.

From BC to AD LGBT+ people have existed. 2026 marks the 22nd year of UK LGBT+ History Month. First celebrated in 2005, it champions equality, education, and visibility.

LGBT+ History Month is for everyone to support and celebrate whether you work in health, education, the VCSE, business sector or are a member of a network/social group or an individual.

The theme of this year’s LGBT+ History Month is Science and Innovation. Science and innovation impacts our daily lives, from the technology we use to developments in healthcare, as well as helping us to address global challenges such as climate change and access to clean energy.

Alongside celebrating LGBT+ people, it is important to highlight the harm that LGBT+ people have historically faced as a result of the ways in which science has been explored and misapplied in the past, such as through the medicalisation and pathologisation of LGBT+ identities, and how we still need to address this today.

Below are the profiles of five LGBT+ figures from the world of Science and Innovation:

Barbara Burford (1944 – 2010)

A writer, scientist and equality activist, and one of the earliest openly Black lesbian voices in British public life.

She worked in the NHS and civil service, where she helped drive major initiatives for inclusion and fairer opportunity, and played an important role in campaigns for social justice.

Through her writing and public service, she challenged discrimination and opened doors for others.

Robert Boyle (1627 – 1691)

A pioneering chemist, physicist and inventor, often called the “father of modern chemistry.”

He conducted groundbreaking experiments on gases, pressure, and chemical reactions, helping to establish the scientific method as central to modern science.

Boyle was also deeply committed to philanthropy and intellectual inquiry, promoting the use of reason and evidence to advance knowledge and improve society.

Jemma Redmond (1978 – 2016)

An Irish scientist, inventor and entrepreneur who helped pioneer 3D bioprinting.

Her interest in nano-bioscience was sparked by an intersex condition that made her infertile.

She began bioprinting in her own kitchen and later co-founded a company that developed bioprinters capable of creating human tissues and organs.

Elke Mackenzie (1911 – 1990)

A pioneering polar researcher who made major contributions to the study of Antarctic ecosystems.

Assigned female at birth, Mackenzie later lived openly as a trans man, breaking barriers in both science and gender identity.

He led important expeditions, described numerous species, and played a key role in expanding knowledge of polar biology.

Charles Beyer (1813 – 1876)

A German-British engineer and industrialist who played a key role in the development of railway technology.

He co-founded Beyer, Peacock & Company, which became one of the world’s leading locomotive manufacturers.

Beyer was also a generous philanthropist, supporting education and scientific research.

The Stonewall Uprising

LGBT+ History Month cannot pass without reference to the Stonewall Riots. This pivotal moment in LGBT+ history paved the way for formation of the Gay Liberation Front in both the US and UK. 

In 1969, as the Stonewall Inn in New York City was raided by the police in the early hours, three nights of unrest followed, with LGBT people, long frustrated by police brutality, finally fighting back. Lesbians and trans women of colour were some of the key people involved in the act of resistance, including Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. Both of these pioneers are sadly no longer with us, but their names and legacies remind us of the power of standing together in defiance of those who seek to divide us.

57 years later, we still find our community and rights under attack, after years of substantial and meaningful progress. As Sylivia and Marsha showed, we must come together as a community to defend our brothers, sisters and thems. Everyone must be accepted for they are, without exception.

Progress Pride Flag

The LGBTQ+ Progress Flag is a modern symbol representing the ongoing journey toward greater inclusivity, equality, and acceptance within LGBTQ+ communities. It builds on the original six‑colour rainbow flag, created by Gilbert Baker, which represents life, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony/peace, and spirit.

The Progress design adds new colours to reflect communities whose experiences need greater visibility:

Black and brown stripes were included to symbolise solidarity with LGBTQ+ people of colour and acknowledgement of the discrimination they face.

Light blue, pink, and white are taken from the Trans Flag, representing trans and gender‑diverse people.

Yellow with a purple circle is the intersex flag, highlighting their identity and inclusion.

All added colours form a chevron pointing right, symbolising forward movement. Its placement on the left reminds us that progress is ongoing and more work toward full equality is still needed.