Throughout February, Lancashire's LGBT History Month celebrations returned for their 9th year! 2017's events included film screenings, guest speakers, historical exhibits, a 'Youth-Fest' and the debut performances of original plays based on real ground-breaking LGB&T events that took place in 1970s Burnley.

In total, this year's events attracted over 500 people! Check out our review of all the events below!

On Saturday 11th February, around 100 LGB&T young people (13-18 years old) and a large number of local, regional and national organisations gathered at the De Vere Hotel in Blackpool for UR Potential's very first LGBT Youth Fest!

The event was opened by Helen Kershaw-Russell from Blackpool & Fylde College who delivered a Keynote speech about her personal journey and the importance of being proud of who you are. Helen was followed by inspirational speaker, Calvin Lunt who talked honestly & openly about his LGB&T experiences. His unique journey was a definite source of inspiration for the young people in the audience!

Thoroughout the day, LGB&T young people from all over the country took part in a wide range of workshops and activities focused around improving mental health and wellbeing and promoting better knowledge of specific LGB&T issues. Attendees were also treated to an energetic (and decidedly camp!) performance from local dance group, Skool of Street.

The Question Time panel consisted of Carolyn Mercer, Calvin Lunt, Travis Peters from Lancashire LGB&T, Catherine Mugonyi Equality & Diversity Officer for Blackpool Council, Theo Dainty (young person), Jason Caton (young person) and Louise Dack (young person). Young people asked interesting and relevant questions about funding, LGB&T education in schools and how the panel felt the LGB&T agenda would develop over the next 10 years.

In the 1970s, Burnley was the UK's battleground for gay and lesbian rights, with two ground breaking public struggles at either end of the decade. To mark the 50th anniverary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, the National Festival of LGBT History and Arts Council England commissioned two brilliant new plays from Inkbrew Productions to recreate this amazing forgotten history based on research uncovered by Lancashire LGBT's Hidden Histories project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2012. Even better, the plays were performed at Burnley Central Library where the original real-life events took place!

"The Burnley Buggers' Ball", by award winning playwright Stephen M. Hornby, speaks of a transformative political meeting held at Burnley Central Library which gave birth to the modern gay rights movement.

"Burnley's Lesbian Liberator", by Abi Hynes, dramatises the political activism of Mary Winter, a bus driver sacked for nothing more than wearing a Lesbian Liberation badge. She fought back and started a batlle won decades later. 

These two immersive dramas garnered a huge amount of local and national press attention in the run-up to LGBT History Month which resulted in four sold out performances of both plays at Burnley Central Library across two weekends! The plays featured interactive elements of participation resulting in the audience taking part in a 'mock protest' outside Burnley Library and Burnley Bus Station (much to the confusion and amazement of passers-by in Burnley Town Centre!)! 

The Burnley Plays truly were the jewel in the crown of this year's LGBT History Month events - something we would love to replicate and build on in future years! Many thanks to the cast and crew at Inkbrew Productions for bringing these important local events to life once more!