As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals, we are pleased to celebrate LGBT+ History Month. This reflects our dedication to fostering equality, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for our staff, students, and the wider community.
Please note that some of the staff content is linked to our intranet, SurreyNet. If you are a staff member please make sure you're connected to Global Connect VPN and hit refresh to access all the content.
LGBT+ History Month invites us to remember the past and recognise those whose contributions were too often overlooked. Here at Surrey, we want to make sure these LGBTQIA+ stories are seen and valued. We also believe in creating an environment where new stories can be made and remembered for years to come."
Events for all
Curator Project: Queerness around the Globe
Monday 16 February 2026 - Friday 27 February 2026
All day
1st Floor, Library, Stag Hill campus
Explore our Student Curator Project, which looks deeply into Queer Representation in Literature. The display includes a curated reading list, interactive activities and giveaway items like pronoun badges, stickers, rainbow lanyards and flags. We also have an exciting prize draw to win free books specially selected by our Student Curators and Library team.
Bake sale
Tuesday 17 February 2026
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Library, Stag Hill campus
Treat yourself to some delicious cakes and visit the LGBT+ Soc's bake sale!
‘Wrestling’ as Performative Spectacle: Queer(ing) Subjectivity and Visibility in Jennifer Reeder’s Signature Move
Wednesday 18 February 2026
2:30pm - 4:30pm
35AC04, Stag Hill campus
This event features a screening of Signature Move, followed by a short presentation by Saher Bano, Commonwealth Split Site Scholar, on the film's context, themes and representational politics. The session will conclude with a short quiz and Q&A.
Meet Writer Andrés N. Ordorica and Discover His Bestseller How We Named the Stars
Friday 20 February 2026
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Online
At this event, Andrés will share a short reading from How We Named the Stars, followed by a Q&A session where we will have the chance to ask questions, explore the themes of the book, and hear insights into his writing process.
The Weird World of Neopronouns with Dr Lena Mattheis
Tuesday 24 February 2026
4:00pm - 5:00pm
13TB01, Stag Hill campus
Join us on this whistlestop tour of neopronouns in language history and literature. This event is a preview for Dr Lena Mattheis’s forthcoming book Queer Forms and Pronouns, which is coming out with Oxford University Press on 20 March 2026.
LGBT+ History Month is a chance to recognise the importance of visibility and to reflect, learn, and support greater understanding and inclusion. As an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community at the Executive Board level, I am committed to ensuring that inclusion and equality remain central to Surrey’s vision and actions. By championing these values, we can foster an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported."
LGBT+ History Month treats available from The Hideout this February
Head to The Hideout to try the new Lavender Latte & Lavender Chai - inspired by the historical connotations of lavender as a symbol for LGBT alliances and empowerment.
And why not try the "No Labels Bagel"? Choose your own fillings - set price for any two fillings and one sauce. Also available as wraps, baguettes, and paninis.
The Hideout will also be decorated, with imagery of prominent LGBTQIA+ figures from history.
Student opportunities
Join the LGBT+ Student Society
The LGBT+ Student Society, run by the Students' Union, is a fun, open and relaxed society, where you can come along and meet some new people whilst participating in our weekly events! Anyone can join (you don’t have to be queer), so don’t be afraid and say hi.
Join the Student Equality Network
The network, run by the Students' Union, ensures that everyone is represented at Surrey and that their voice is heard. Join the group of student volunteers and take part in activities to help break down barriers that students from liberation groups face at University.
Free Pronouns badge available for all
Head to the Students' Union reception and pick up a free pronouns badge. Wearing a badge is an effective act of allyship with the trans community and for trans people, pronoun badges are also an important tool to facilitate sharing their pronouns.
For as long as humanity has existed, cultures have endured - even when suppressed or marginalised. Despite adversity, they have flourished and thrived under the harshest conditions. Queer history is no exception. Understanding our past and the struggles of those before us is crucial to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every member of the LGBTQIA+ community, ensuring equality and inclusion for all."
15 free tickets available to students
The Student Equality Network would like to offer 15 free tickets to Surrey students to attend 'Threads of History: AIDS Memorial Quilt, Club Kali & Queer Heritage', taking place at the Queer Britain Museum, 2 Granary Square, London, N1C 4BH.
Please note that the 15 free tickets will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis and signing up for a free ticket does not include travel to and from the venue.
Support available to students
Chat with a member of our Support Services team
If you would like to speak with someone about something that is worrying you, or if you would like some support and advice, you can chat with either a member of our Centre for Wellbeing team, our Chaplaincy team or the ThriveWell team.
Support from Health Assured
Health Assured is a Student Assistance Programme designed to help you deal with personal or student-related problems. The problems could be affecting your home life, education, health, and general wellbeing. Whatever issues you face in your student life - the confidential helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Call the free 24/7 helpline: 0800 028 3766
Support from local charities and organisations
Local charities and organisations can offer a range of advice, support and information to those that may need it. You can learn more via the links below:
Staff opportunities
Wear a rainbow lanyard
Wear a rainbow lanyard and show your support, not just for the LGBTQIA+ community, but for all aspects of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
Please contact Michael Hassell to request a lanyard.
Join the Rainbow Staff Network
The network offers a supportive environment for all LGBTQIA+ staff. Join the group to network, help organise events and further equality for staff, students and the wider community.
To join, please contact Fabio Fasoli
Become a Rainbow Ally
Become an Ally and demonstrate your commitment to the University’s LGBTQIA+ community through agreeing to a set of four pledges and completing the LGBTQIA+ training.
For more information, please email edi@surrey.ac.uk
LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training
The workshop is designed to build your knowledge and confidence to feel more well informed around the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual plus) community, and confident in supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Visit SurreyNet for further information and to book your place.
Anti-Bias Training
Every day, in every interaction with people, we constantly make judgments about who, what, where and why. Our unconscious thoughts and interpretations happen much quicker than our conscious ones. In this workshop we will explore many forms of bias and the impact they can have on our community.
Visit SurreyNet to register your place
Allyship in HE e-learning
This comprehensive course aims to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment within our community by educating participants on the importance of allyship.
Please access the e-learning here
Support available to staff
At Surrey, we are committed to ensuring that all staff have access to the support they need. Here are some of the resources available to you:
- Our Employee Assistance Programme offers a free, confidential counselling service – call 0800 285 1538 (Access BHSF Rise - our log in code is: 208431)
- Our chaplaincy service is available to everyone, regardless of your religious beliefs
- Our report + support tool is available if you need to report harassment or abuse
- Our Wellbeing Champions promote positive mental health and wellbeing and act as a point of contact for you to offer advice and guidance on where you can get the right support for your needs.
LGBT+ History Month 2026: Science and Innovation at Surrey
The theme for LGBT+ History Month 2026 is ‘Science and Innovation’. At the University of Surrey, we are proud to recognise LGBTQ+ scientists and their contributions to knowledge, discovery, and social progress.
Surrey has a strong connection to LGBTQ+ history in science. The statue of Alan Turing on campus stands as a reminder of his extraordinary achievements and of the injustice he faced. In 2024, we marked the 70th anniversary of his death by celebrating his life and legacy. His statue is also a space where every year, during Trans Remembrance Day, we honour trans people who have died and where the Surrey community came together in 2025 to stand proudly during Pride Month as a sign of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
For much of history, LGBTQ+ scientists received little recognition and were often forced to hide who they were. Over the past nine years, we made a clear commitment to changing this.
Each November, we host LGBTQ+ STEM Day, bringing together researchers and scientists working in industry, who share their personal journeys, research, and the importance of visibility and inclusion in science. These events feature internal and external guest speakers, highlighting both excellence and lived experience, and demonstrating that being open and being a scientist are not in conflict.
Through a project funded by IGNITE+, Surrey is also committed to contributing to positive change. We are examining the barriers and facilitators experienced by LGBTQ+ researchers in STEM and energy research. This work focuses on listening to real experiences, understanding challenges and hopes, and working alongside scientists to co-create solutions. The goal is clear: to make higher education and research institutions more inclusive places for everyone.
Together, these initiatives reflect Surrey’s commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ scientists of the past, present, and future. By celebrating achievement and addressing inequality, we continue working towards a university where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to thrive.
Look out for the Progress Pride Flag flying over the Piazza throughout the month.
If you are planning to run an event or activity in support of LGBT+ History Month, please let us know via news@surrey.ac.uk so that we can build it into our promotional programme.
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