LGBT+ History Month 2026

The theme for LGBT+ History Month 2026 is “Science & Innovation”. This theme highlights the contributions of LGBT+ people to science, technology, engineering and medicine, while also exploring how science has historically been used to pathologise LGBT+ identities. It aims to celebrate both historical and contemporary trailblazers.

Each year five LGBT+ historical figures are chosen in line with the theme:

• Barbara Burford, a medical researcher who established NHS equality and diversity guidelines

• Charles Beyer, a locomotive engineer and a founding member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers

• Elke Mackenzie, a botanist who researched lichens in Antarctica

• Jemma Redmond, a biotechnologist who developed 3D bioprinters to create tissues and organs

• Robert Boyle, a founder of modern chemistry and of the modern scientific method.

LGBT+ History Month party

Out In The City held an LGBT+ History Month party with 50 people in attendance. Joe Cockx from the Golden Age Big Band entertained us with great songs from Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Andy Williams, Engelbert Humperdinck and more.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon of fun and joy with a little bit of dancing. The buffet and raffle went down well – Martin won three prizes!

Section 28

20 February 2026 was the 38th anniversary of Manchester’s brilliant ‘Never Going Underground’ march, rally and concert. Ian McKellen featured significantly in the campaign and went on to openly campaign against Section 28 – here on Wogan.

Ian McKellen appears on Wogan to state his opposition to Section 28 of the Local Government Act – which prohibits the “intentional promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities. Originally broadcast 3 June,1988.

Kenneth Williams

Kenneth Charles Williams (22 February 1926 – 15 April 1988) was a British actor and comedian. He was best known for his comedy roles and in later life as a raconteur and diarist.

He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 Carry On films, and appeared in many British television programmes and radio comedies, including series with Tony Hancock and Kenneth Horne, as well as being a frequent panellist on BBC Radio 4’s comedy panel show Just a Minute from its second series in 1968 until his death 20 years later.

If he were alive today he would be celebrating his 100^th birthday!

Rainbow Lottery

Play the Rainbow Lottery and support Out In The City

The Rainbow Lottery is the UK’s first and only lottery supporting LGBT+ good causes.

Welcome to the Rainbow Lottery, the exciting weekly lottery that raises money for over 200 LGBT+ good causes totally, openly and exclusively.

The hope is to make a difference to good causes so they can carry on their vital work – which helps us all. Play the lottery, support the community – it’s fun, it’s simple and everybody wins!

How the lottery works:

• £1 per ticket – that’s right, unlike many other lotteries, the lottery tickets are only £1 per week.
• For every ticket you play, 80% goes to good causes and prizes.

£25,000 jackpot prize

• Match all 6 numbers and you win the JACKPOT! There are also prizes of £2000, £250, £25 and 3 free tickets for following week.
• Every month there is a Super Draw. February’s Super Draw is a

Luxury City Break worth £1,000 (or £1,000 cash!) One of our supporters could be getting away from it all this year with our fantastic bonus draw!

Whether you want to hit the West End for a weekend, see the architecture and nightlife of Barcelona, sample the art and food of Florence, or soak up the culture in Paris, this prize is simply not to be missed!

Buy tickets here.

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