LONDON, September 17, 2007  –  Local councils in the UK should do more to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans History Month, Sue Sanders, the co-chair of the organising group, said today.

She has written to all councils reminding them that homophobic and transphobic bullying still leads to suicide, citing new research that shows the prejudices can be particularly rife in rural areas.

“We are working for a cultural change which will prevent prejudice and bullying, rather than deal with it after the event,” she said.

“We believe that the debate on Community Cohesion should be widened and be more inclusive.  LGBT History Month provides an excellent vehicle for this to happen.’

Along with education, sport is still blighted by bigotry, Ms. Sanders pointed out.  She was optimistic about initiatives, but stressed the need for mainstreaming into school culture everywhere.

‘The renewal of the campaign by the Football Association to rid the game of homophobia should certainly be taken up by school and college PE Departments,” she said.

■ LGBT History Month is held in the UK during February.

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Posted: 17 September 2007 at 17:00 (UK time)