February is LGBT+ History Month - a four-week celebration promoting equality and diversity.
The month is a chance for us to learn from, be inspired by, and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus people (the 'plus' covers a range of other gender and sexuality identities), including their history, lives and experience.
This year's official theme is 'behind the lens'. It celebrates the contribution from LGBT+ people to cinema and film and encourages us all to 'look behind the lens' when LGBT+ lives are in the media - listening to peoples' lived experiences.
The 2021 census was the first time that a full range of gender and sexuality identities were collected, and the results have recently been published. We now know that there are at least 1.5 million LGBT+ people in England and Wales.
Events are taking place up and down the country in celebration of the month. The University of Hertfordshire has lined up a programme of events that are open to the wider community.
You might find it interesting to explore recommendations made by Essex Library Service as its top LGBT+ reads, with something for all ages. You can find these on the Essex Libraries website.
To find out more about the month, visit the LGBT+ History Month website.