What is LGBTQ+ History Month?

First launched in the UK in 2005, LGBTQ+ History Month is an annual celebration promoting the education of LGBTQ+, the history of the gay rights movement and encourages a safer, more inclusive society where the diverse spectrum of sexuality and gender is accepted and discussed openly.

Schools OUT, an organisation aiming to make schools safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students, brought about the first LGBTQ+ History Month in the UK, sparking over 150 events across the country in its first year. 

This year’s theme is Body, Mind and Spirit. There are many ways you can get involved this year, including OUTing the Past presentations, LGBTQ+ curriculum lesson plans, taking a look at interesting resources and much more.

What does it mean to identify as LGBTQ+?

We asked members of an LGBTQ+ Society what it meant to them. 

“To me, identifying as LGBTQ+ means having comfort knowing that even if you don’t have anyone close who supports you, there’s always a community, a family, behind you ready to support you 100%. It means having a place to belong even if you don’t feel like you’re worthy of taking up the space you exist in.​” 

“Being LGBTQ+ is standing out and being different from other people, being true to yourself and being who you truly are for yourself and not others.”

“It feels like a relief that I’m not the only one who is different. It feels nice when I find someone who is the same as me, as we can help each other because we both know how hard it is to struggle with our sexuality. It feels good having people to talk to about this type of subject, as not everyone understands how you feel.”

“Being LGBTQ+ to me means that I’m free to be who I am no matter what and I’m surrounded by people who are like me and accept me.”

LGBTQ+ triumphs in history

Over the past years, there has been significant progress in recognising the rights of LGBTQ+ people. However, it’s important to take time to reflect on this and how it happened. 

1966

The Beaumont Society was founded, providing information to the general public, medical and legal professions on ‘transvestism’ and promoted research aimed at a further understanding. The word ‘transvestism’ is no longer used and the current terminology for this is now ‘trans’.

This society is now the UK’s largest and longest running support group for transgender people and their families.

1967

This year marks an important milestone in LGBTQ+ history, as the government implements recommendations from the Wolfenden Report for the Sexual Offences Act 1967, which partially legalised same-sex acts in the UK between men over the age of 21 conducted in private. 

Although an important breakthrough towards equality, there was still a long way to go.

1970

The UK Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was set up following the Stonewall Riots in New York over the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community by police. Marsha P. Johnson, a black trans-activist, is a key inspirational figure in LGBTQ+ history, as she sparked a series of protests across the world following the Stonewall incident. 

The GLF campaigned for rights of LGBTQ+ people, encouraging them to question the mainstream institutions in society which led to their oppression. 

Often protesting in solidarity with other oppressed groups, the GLF launched the very first Pride march in 1972, which is now a hugely successful and celebrated yearly event.

1973

Although the GLF disbanded, this made way for the Campaign for Homosexual Equality; a Manchester-based organisation leading the fight for equality by legal reform. 

2003

The Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 was repealed, meaning students were now able to learn about homosexuality and LGBTQ+ history and rights, with the aim to create a more inclusive environment.

2004

The Civil Partnership Act was introduced, allowing same-sex couples to legally enter into binding partnerships.

During this year, the Gender Recognition Act was passed which gave trans people full legal recognition of their gender, providing them the opportunity to update their birth certificate.

2010

LGBTQ+ employees were protected from discrimination, harrassment and victimisation at work through the Equality Act. 

This also brought together existing legislation and added protection for trans workers.

2013

This year marked a significant benchmark in LGBTQ+ history, with the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act allowing same-sex couples in England and Wales to marry. Scotland shortly followed suit with the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act in 2014.

It’s clear to see the progress that has been made over the last half century, but there is still much more to do for equality and social acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. 

We can learn from the lessons from our past history and use them to address the issues we still face in today’s society. 

Pride

Keighley College has been a keen supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Along with staff members and students at Leeds City College, members of the LGBTQ+ societies came together to celebrate Pride Month and take part in the pride parades. Keighley College are also a proud partner of Keighley Pride as well as the Keighley Pride Flag Project. 

Celebrating at college

This year, we will be celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month digitally! Take a look at our list of exciting events and resources across the Luminate Education Group here.

Take part in our Pride Rainbow Quiz here.

See how to join in on our LGBTQ+ competition here.

For further details and information regarding resources or college events please contact balenji.mwiche@leedscitycollege.ac.uk or amy.barton@leedscitycollege.ac.uk 

LGBTQ+ support

If you are struggling with mental health or just want to chat, there is plenty of support available.

LGBTQ+ Society

As a student at Keighley College, you have access to the Leeds City College LGBTQ+ Society, which provides a safe space for those who identify as LGBTQ+ to be fully themselves without fear of judgement, criticism or discrimination. The society also welcomes straight allies who are encouraged to attend events.

If you’d like to get involved, visit the page here to see what’s going on. 

LGBTQ+ Foundation

The foundation provides a helpline staffed by a team of dedicated staff and volunteer operators who have extensive training.

Stonewall Youth

Find information on coming out, health, and LGBTQ+ community groups near you.

MindOut

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer mental health service.

Mermaids UK

Support for transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families.

Gendered Intelligence

Access a number of resources by and for trans young people and gender questioning young people in the UK and beyond.

Sound 

Sound is a group for LGBTQ+  young people aged 11-19 (up to 25 with disabilities) which meets in Bradford and Keighley. These groups offer a safe, confidential and supportive place where you can meet other young people. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about the LGBTQ+ terminology and definitions, take a look at the Stonewall glossary here. 

A levels at Keighley College focus on building important practical skills demanded by employers, while also developing valuable academic abilities.

We caught up with two first year students to understand more about their A level experience.

Why did you choose to study A levels at Keighley College?

Corey Cyhanko: The college offered a really interesting course pathway which involves a mixture of A level Business, IT and Law. These subjects help me understand how business works which will be useful to me when leaving school. 

Junaid Hussain: The Business, IT and Law pathway was the best option for me as it allows me to develop a strong understanding of strategy, the legal system and the IT sector. 

What has been your experience of studying A levels at college?

Corey: It has been fantastic! The teachers are so welcoming and helpful which makes a big difference. The A level environment is very comfortable, we have a quiet study area which is perfect for concentrating on work.

Junaid: It’s been a great few months since starting in September and I know it’s only going to get better. I like the fact that I can type up my notes on Google Drive, this really helps my learning process.

What are your plans once you complete A levels?

Corey: When I finish my A levels in 2022, I would like to apply to university to study law or criminology.

Junaid: I plan on attending university to one day become a chartered accountant. 
Discover more about our exciting range of A level pathways here.

Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has paid tribute to the work that Keighley College is doing to bridge the skills gap through its work with local businesses. 

As part of the Q&A session with MP for Keighley and llkley, Robbie Moore, which centred on the recent announcement of the Skills For Jobs whitepaper, Williamson also highlighted the deep rooted industrial heritage of Keighley that has underpinned key successes in the town. 

Steve Kelly, Principal at Keighley College, said: “It’s fantastic to see Keighley College getting national recognition in parliament. Not only was the town’s steeped history highlighted, but also the work our college is doing to plug the skills gap in our district. We are committed to being at the heart of our community and working with the private, public and third sector to serve our town. 

“To be referenced by the Education Secretary as a college that is doing all the right things when it comes to building positive relationships with local businesses fills us with great pride. It’s an approach that is embedded in everything we do as we work closely with the communities that we serve, ensuring that the courses we offer are answering local demand. This national recognition further emphasises how crucial it is for the college to continue engaging constructively with the business community.

“Naturally we welcome the Skills For Jobs whitepaper as it echoes the positive work we are already doing and this will hopefully mean that other businesses will be encouraged to work collaboratively with us. We are so pleased to see that our community-led approach of forming tight knit relationships with local businesses is being recognised. We strongly believe that this will help us continue providing students with the right skills for now and in the future.

“As we look ahead to recovering from the pandemic, it will be even more important for businesses to work with us to ensure we’re supporting their needs. The college is already becoming a central driver for economic recovery in the district as a result of partnering with local support services and we want to see this continue.”

If you’re a local business and you would like to partner with Keighley College, then please contact clare.fitzgerald@keighleycollege.ac.uk.

The government’s recent national lockdown announcement means many of us will be remote working and learning until at least February half term. 

We know remote learning can be challenging at times, so here are some useful tips to help you learn effectively from home.

Wake up

Set your alarm for the same time you would for school. This helps structure your day, giving you plenty of time to wake yourself up, have some breakfast and prepare for the day ahead.

Get dressed

Changing into some comfortable clothes when you wake up will help make you feel more productive.

Find a work space

Choose an area which is comfortable and quiet, away from noise and distractions. Set up a desk space somewhere, such as your kitchen table, so you can feel like you’re in a classroom. 

Breaks

Make sure to schedule in regular breaks where you can stretch your legs, move around and get a drink or a snack. It’s a good idea to have some time away from your screen or phone during these breaks, leaving your brain feeling refreshed and ready to learn when you get back to your desk.

Stay organised

Try and use your college workbooks when studying, this will help to keep all your work in one place and will avoid the risk of losing any work. Find a safe place, such as a spare drawer, to keep your work in.

Environment

When you’ve finished learning for the day, pack up your things and move away from your workspace. This is really important, as it allows you to relax and reach a good study/life balance. 

Fresh air and exercise

Try to get some fresh air and exercise each day. During your breaks, head outside for five minutes to keep you feeling refreshed. At the end of your study day, try to get outside for a walk, this will really help to clear your mind and relax. 

We appreciate that working and learning from home can be difficult for many, and we’re here to support each student. Please get in touch with your tutor or mentor at the college if you want to have a chat.

There are also many local support groups who can help you through lockdown.

Shout

A free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. To get in touch, text SHOUT to 85258.

Kooth

A first response crisis service, offering support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of all ages living in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven. Call 01274 2211 81 to get in contact.

Take a look at the link in our Instagram bio to find out what local support you can get for mental health.

Keighley College has taken the decision to postpone exams due to take place in January to ensure student, apprentice and staff safety during the pandemic.

The latest government update outlines that GCSE, A level and AS summer exams have been cancelled and will be replaced with teacher assessed grades. However, the decision to run BTEC and other vocational qualification assessments is down to individual institutions. 

Steve Kelly, Principal at Keighley College, said: “Cancelling January exams was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but we felt student and staff safety needed to be our top priority. The message from the government was to ‘stay at home’ to defeat the virus, therefore asking students to attend college and sit exams seemed untenable. 

“To go ahead with the exam series now would be unfair on our hard working students. The stress of the pandemic will undoubtedly affect their performance and probably has affected their preparation, potentially leading to unfair results.

“Although many are disappointed with the move back to remote learning, teachers and students are already well equipped to adapt to distance learning following the first lockdown. We’ve worked hard to enable learners to maintain their communities during these hard times, which makes a real difference to their mental wellbeing. 

“We’re proud to be at the heart of the community and as we move through this challenging time, we want to be able to support the best we can while maintaining the safety of our students, apprentices and staff.”

BTEC and other vocational assessments will be rescheduled later this year, giving students time to plan and prepare.

Foundation Studies student, Bethan Jones, is committed to developing her learning during lockdown. She added: “The support from college throughout remote learning has been brilliant. We all speak to each other daily on Google Hangouts, where we can talk through work and help each other. 

“Our tutors are constantly checking in to see how we’re doing, which really helps with any feelings of isolation. We are set individual tasks which allow us to become more independent while improving valuable skills.”

Keighley College plans to have a mass testing system in place for when students return to college after February half term.

From starting college in 2018, mature student, Claire Jopson, has an inspirational story to tell after overcoming hardships and accomplishing fantastic achievements.

Her determination and eagerness to learn has been admirable, and as a result, she has been recently awarded with Student of the Term.

Inspirational journey

When Claire started her hairdressing course, she was working through some personal problems, but was determined not to let this affect her learning.

“When I first came to Keighley College, I had not long left inpatient treatment for my eating disorder. It’s been something I’ve constantly had to battle with throughout my time at college, but I’m now in recovery and the college has been an incredible anchor of support throughout my journey.

“College has helped readjust my focus and study hard towards my qualifications. The staff have been so supportive and sympathetic, helping me build my confidence and always offering emotional support. 

“I’ve had huge amounts of encouragement and help with work along the way, and the staff have made me realise that my illness doesn’t have to stop me achieving amazing things. My tutor, Clare Ravenscroft, was genuinely committed to my wellbeing and made sure to always check in to see how I was doing.”

Student of the Term

Due to Claire’s impressive resilience and determination, she was awarded Student of the Term.

“I was so overwhelmed to receive this award! I feel very moved with the gesture and I hope this will inspire others with this illness to stay optimistic and show that there is light at the end of the tunnel. My newfound confidence has helped me deliver training at Leeds Beckett University on eating disorders and interventions with students.”

Clare Ravenscroft, Programme Manager at Keighley College, added: “Claire has come on such an immense journey since starting at college. She has overcome some huge obstacles through real perseverance and admirable courage. With 100% attendance, fantastic results and impressive progress, she completely deserves this award.

Passing with flying colours

After passing Level 2 and Level 3 hair, she has achieved a distinction in her first graded beauty practical and is on track for success.

“It had been a while since I properly laughed, but since starting college and making new friends at college I haven’t stopped laughing! I’ve loved seeing other students progress and develop into fantastic hair stylists. I have made some amazing memories which I will forever cherish.

“In the future, I hope to be a qualified hairdresser and beauty therapist, but also continue to provide training on eating disorders and support people on their journey to recovery.”

The government’s national lockdown announcement means working and learning is currently taking place online. This is because of the rising Covid-19 infection rates and this will allow our college to prepare Covid-19 testing for our students.

Key changes are below:

• We have made the decision to cancel all exams to keep our students and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. Students should not attend college for their exams. 
• Apprentices will be contacted by their tutors/assessors as different arrangements may apply to them.
• When the national lockdown is lifted, all students will return to college in line with our plans for mass Covid-19 testing.

We will provide further information, including details of our mass Covid-19 testing plans, once confirmed. 

If you are a student and have further questions, please contact your tutor.

Find out more information on Keighley College blended learning here.

Keighley College is becoming a central driver for economic recovery in the district, by partnering with local support services to help adults and young people back into work.

The college has launched the Skills Support Hub, a community initiative to signpost those who have been made redundant, furloughed or unemployed to appropriate organisations for upskilling, career advice and building confidence.  

Working with Bradford Council, SkillsHouse, the DWP and local employers, alongside funding from the European Social Fund, Keighley College’s team of experts will identify the needs of each individual and create a talent pool that matches people to relevant employers. 

Steve Kelly, Principal at Keighley College, said: “We’re committed to supporting as many people as possible in our community at such a challenging time. The hub will be based in a Covid-safe environment at Keighley College, where we can identify individuals’ training needs that we can address or signpost to a relevant organisation.

“Our aim is to reach those who have been the hardest hit in the district and encourage them to get back on their feet. We’ll be working with a range of employers such as Platinum Stairlifts and Metalcraft to understand their skills needs, allowing us to provide the best skills support and opportunities for the community.”

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said: “It is important news for Keighley, and the wider district, that this new support hub has been set up and we are pleased to be a partner. Covid-19 has had an awful impact on jobs but we are determined to do all we can to help people get the skills, training and support they need to access new opportunities.”

Residents in the Keighley district can access the support hub by emailing skills@keighleycollege.ac.uk, calling 01535 685006 or dropping in to college. 

What better time than January to give your CV some TLC? As we head into the new year, it’s important that we bring with us a refreshed perspective on the world of work.  

A difficult year for many, the past 12 months has seen people lose their jobs due to the pandemic. Whether you’ve become unemployed, been made redundant or just looking for a career change, an excellent CV can make you stand out amongst other candidates. 

Tips for creating the perfect CV

1. Relevance is key: When applying for a role, make sure the experience showcased on your CV is relevant to the job. Always crosscheck your CV with the job description and tailor it to make it clear why you’ll be able to deliver in that role. 
2. Attention to detail: Avoid any spelling or grammar mistakes, as recruiters are likely to judge you for this. Ask someone to proofread your CV and give you constructive feedback.
3. Keep it simple: Be clear and concise. A CV needs to be easy to read and is usually best kept to two pages. Don’t be afraid to take out past experience if it is not relevant to the role.
4. Include a personal statement: Shout out about how your experience relates to the job in an opening statement. Here, you can really showcase your skills and demonstrate why you’re the best person for the job.
5. Add personality: Your hobbies and interests are a great way for employers to get to know more about you. Avoid generic ones such as ‘socialising’ and try to include interesting hobbies that demonstrate dedication or teamwork. 

A survey showed that employers take less than a minute to decide if an application is worth consideration, so it’s vital that your CV ticks all the employability boxes. 

For additional support with application tips, interview guidance and job advice, get in touch with our friendly team at the Skills Support Hub.

The Skills Support Hub is a community initiative to help adults and young people back into work.

Residents in the Keighley district can access the support hub by emailing skills@keighleycollege.ac.uk, calling 01535 685006 or dropping in to college.