Islington Council is looking forward to a great Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month following the success of the Town Hall's opening event on Friday 1 February.<br><br>Up to 200 people helped celebrate the history of the LGBT community through displays, speakers, music and dance. <br><br>This year, Islington Council is proud to support and promote the work of Proud Heritage - who are behind one of the country's most important LGBT history projects - 'Walking Proud in Islington'. The project aims to create a 'virtual museum' of gathered memories and pictures to tell the LGBT story of one of Britain's gayest boroughs.<br><br>'Walking Proud in Islington' is looking for contributors and volunteers to take part in the year-long initiative in the borough whose LGBT community has always been at the forefront of activism, community service and the arts. <br><br>Research suggests Islington has one of the largest LGBT communities in the country with the Islington Registrars Office conducting 562 civil partnerships since 21 December 2005. Gay organisations such as Stonewall, London Friend, London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard are closely connected with the borough.<br><br>Councillor Lucy Watt, Deputy Leader lslington Council said: "Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people have contributed so much to the history of Islington, and it is important that this is not forgotten. <br><br>"Walking Proud in Islington is a great idea, because people can walk around the Islington they know today, and learn about the significant events that happened here in the past, such as the first gay rights demonstration in the UK, which took place on Highbury Fields in 1970.<br><br> "I can't think of a better fit than Proud Heritage to bring the theme of this year's LGBT history month - 'Claiming our Past, Celebrating our Present and Creating our Future' - to life."<br><br>Details of events throughout the month can be found at: www.islington.gov.uk and www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk<br><br>To get involved in the history project contact: islington@proudheritage.org or call Jack Gilbert on 07719 378 143<br><br><br>ENDS<br> <br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009