North London Food & Culture

Camden & Islington LGBTQ History Month 2021 is here

Give yourself a Netflix holiday with more than 30 online cultural events, from book clubs to heritage trails

As you may know, LGBTQ+ History Month is held in February each year, a four-week celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, as well as a means of raising awareness for the issues still faced by LGBTQ+ people.

With our diverse communities and rich social histories, Camden and Islington are always two of the capital’s strongest players.

Despite Covid and its associated restrictions, this year’s online-only event has nonetheless been enlighteningly put together by forum+, an independent charity working to improve the lives of LGBTQ people in Camden, Islington and the surrounding boroughs.

The theme for 2021 is Body, Mind, Spirit and there are an impressive 30 online activities and events for everyone to enjoy in this year’s fully interactive programme. Yep, all from the sofa, no less (or kitchen table, if you prefer).


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LGBTQ History Month
This year’s theme. Photo: LGBTQHM

So what’s on? Well, you can explore local LGBTQ heritage through digital trails (such as the Islington Pride trail, 3rd Feb), online seminars, book groups (23rd Feb), film clubs (28th Feb), poetry events and history talks.

There’s also a St Valentine’s Day Bingo, the Incite Poetry LGBT History Month Special and lesbian discussion groups. An NW5-ish pick? Don’t miss popular Tufnell Park LGBTQ collective Zodiac, who host an interactive quiz on Friday 5th Feb (8-10pm).

In fact on the same night (5th Feb), there’s an evening (starts 630pm) of music and entertainment to launch both the event, as well as the annual Loudest Whispers 2021 exhibition, which features 41 artists and, once things reopen, can be found at the St Pancras Hospital gallery space till the end of July. Award-winning hosts Christopher Hamilton and Shimi Goodman will be joined by very special guests Mzz Kimberley, Nicole Faraday and Professor of Whimsy Robert Garnham.

“The pandemic has delivered huge challenges to the residents of Camden and Islington, some of whom are now lonely and isolated,” says Charles Dean, Chair of forum+. “So this year, the theme of Mind, Body and Spirit aims to provide a welcome mood-boost at what can be a dark and depressing time of year at the best of times. Our most progressive boroughs will showcase the myriad talents and raise the social capital that makes our communities stronger.”

To download the full programme with times and more info, please head here. Find out more about LGBTQ History Month in the UK here.

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The award-winning print and online title Kentishtowner was founded in 2010 and is part of London Belongs To Me, a citywide network of travel guides for locals. For more info on what we write about and why, see our About section.