LGBT+ History Month at Sheffield Children’s

Here at Sheffield Children’s we’re recognising LGBT+ History Month, which lasts throughout February.

LGBT+ History Month is for everyone; whether you work in education, a museum, a library or an art gallery, a business, a service, are a member of a network/social group or are an individual.

It was founded in 2004 by Schools OUT UK co-chairs, Paul Patrick and Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders. It was first celebrated in February 2005 and every February since.

The 2024 theme celebrates the contribution of LGBT+ people to the field of medicine and healthcare both historically and today. We have created a brief history document which shines a light on some of the key people in the LGBTQ+ medicine community from as far back as 1840 right up to today. 

We want to showcase the amazing work of LGBT+ staff in providing healthcare across the NHS and in other settings. We also want to shine a light on the history of the LGBT+ community’s experience of receiving healthcare, which has been extremely complicated and has left LGBT+ people still facing health inequalities today.

Why is it important?

LGBT+ History Month is a fantastic learning opportunity to make Sheffield Children’s a more inclusive place for young people, families and colleagues. This month highlights how far we have come in the UK and in healthcare for LGBT+ people, but also what learning and work we need to do to improve how we support people as best we can.

Read the brief history document which shines a light on some of the key people in the LGBT+ medicine community.

A particular highlight of important individuals from LGBT+ history written by Ember, Youth Forum member.

Magnus Hirschfeld

14 May 1868 – 14 May1935

German Doctor Magnus Hirschfeld was one of the very earliest LGBTQ+ activists, and was the first to offer medical, gender-affirming treatment to transgender individuals.

In 1897 Hirschfeld set up the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee in Germany, with the aim to decriminalise homosexuality. His research during the early period of his career led him to the conclusion that sexuality was not a choice, and that there were many variations on sexuality. This led to the publishing of ‘The Yearbook of Intermediate Sexual Types’ from 1899 to 1923, the first medical journal to deal with variations in sexuality. His campaign focused on the idea “through science to justice”.

The Institute for Sexual Science was opened by Hirschfeld and his partner Karl Giese in 1919 as a clinic to help all members of the LGBTQ+ community. It was here that Hirschfeld began to transgender people, understanding that there were many different forms of gender and gender expression, as well as the separation of gender and sexuality. Furthermore, he pioneered gender-affirming therapy, treatment, and surgery, helping people like the Danish painter Lili Elbe to live life as themselves. In 1930, Hirschfeld departed Germany on a world tour to lecture on Sexuality and Gender. He never returned to Germany.

The Institute did not survive because, in 1933, it was one of the first targets of the Nazi regime in Germany. As a gay Jewish man, Hirschfeld was persecuted by the Nazis and forced into exile after his world tour. The entire medical library was burnt, and much of Hirschfeld’s valuable research lost. Luckily, his publications survived, and his ideas continued to influence the study of sexuality and gender long after his death.

References

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/magnus-hirschfeld-2

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Magnus-Hirschfeld

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-forgotten-history-of-the-worlds-first-trans-clinic/

What are we doing this month?

·        Department visits from LGBTQ+ Equality Network members to see how we can best support colleagues to make Sheffield Children’s an inclusive organisation for both children, young people and colleagues.

·        Sharing events across the region from Sheffield Children’s, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, LGBT+ organisations, Sheffield Libraries, Weston Park and Showroom Cinema (information below).

·        Sharing helpful resources and experiences from colleagues and potentially also patients to support with further learning.

Events outside Sheffield Children’s

·        All February – Showroom Cinema – This February, Showroom’s annual LGBTQ+ History Month season returns with a diverse range of films made by and about LGBTQ+ people. Many films available.

·        21 February – 6.30pm – SAYiT and Sheffield Libraries – A panel of LGBTQ+ writers and readers, asking which books, poems or scripts opened a whole new Queer world to us.           

·        27 February – 1pm-1.45pm – Join our friends from SAYiT as they delve into archives, documents and objects chronicling local queer experiences over the centuries. Small things holding great significance – they show us how the LGBTQ+ community was represented, how we challenged authority, changed minds, and fought for our rights. Queer Artifacts – LGBTQ+ representation in the Archives.

·        29 February – Sheffield Libraries – Event about the hotly anticipated debut novel from award-winning poet Andrew McMillan explores masculinity, sexuality and post-industrial decline in South Yorkshire.
 

LGBTQ+ Reading Group Last Wednesday of the month, 6pm Sheffield Central Library
A relaxed and friendly group that meets monthly to discuss a queer-themed book. 18 years+. Please email elizabeth.chapman@sheffield.gov.uk if you are interested in joining.

LGBTQ+ Collection
The Central Library holds our dedicated LGBTQ+ collection, containing fiction and non-fiction relating to many aspects of LGBTQ+ life. All our libraries hold LGBTQ+-interest titles. Magazines including Diva, Gay Times and Attitude are available via the eLibrary for free.