Why LGBT+ History Month Matters for Our Families

As LGBT+ History Month comes to a close, Matt Taylor-Roberts reflects on the importance of representation for children growing up in LGBT+ families. Through a personal school experience, this blog explores how recognising LGBT+ history helps children feel valued, included, and proud — and why inclusion must continue beyond February.

As LGBT+ parents/carers, we work hard every day to create homes where our children feel safe, loved and proud of who they are and where they come from. We talk about inclusion around the dinner table. We read books that reflect diverse families. We answer questions honestly. We model pride. But we cannot, and should not, do this alone.

Last year, as LGBT+ History Month approached, I reached out to my son’s school to ask what they were planning. The response surprised me. They were unsure. They had spoken to other local schools and very few were marking the month. There was hesitation, a sense of not wanting to be “the school that sticks its head above the parapet.” So we arranged a meeting. We talked about why representation mattersm, not just for my child, but for every child in that school. We discussed how acknowledging LGBT+ history isn’t political; it’s educational. It’s about recognising the contributions, struggles and achievements of people who have shaped the world we live in.

I shared simple suggestions about what could be said in assembly. How to explain the acronym. How to talk about inclusion in an age-appropriate way. How to frame LGBT+ History Month as part of a wider commitment to equity and belonging. Thankfully, the school did cover it in assembly.

I will never forget the moment my child came home that day and told me what their teacher had said. They talked confidently about LGBT+ History Month. They understood why inclusion matters. They felt seen. That moment was powerful.

Because while we can educate and celebrate at home, our children also need the world around them to reflect and affirm their families. When schools acknowledge LGBT+ history, they send a clear message: your family belongs here. Your story matters. You are part of this community. That external validation is vital.

This year’s theme, Science and Innovation, is a particularly tangible one for children. It allows schools to highlight LGBT+ scientists, inventors and pioneers whose ideas and courage changed the course of history. These are individuals who explored, questioned and innovated in ways that have improved all our lives. Their achievements are not defined solely by their sexual orientation or gender identity, but neither should those aspects be erased.

Showing our children that LGBT+ people have shaped science, medicine, technology and discovery reinforces an important truth: we have always been here, contributing, leading and transforming society. For children growing up in LGBT+ families, that message is powerful. It tells them that their family is not “different” but part of a long and rich history of contribution. It tells them that LGBT+ people belong in every space, including classrooms, laboratories, leadership roles and history books. Representation outside the home matters.

When schools shine a light on LGBT+ History Month, they are not only educating; they are building empathy, understanding and safer environments for all children. They are helping to reduce stigma. They are representing diversity. They are creating equity in action.

So this LGBT+ History Month, I encourage you to reach out to your child’s school or nursery. Ask what they are doing to recognise the month. Offer support if they need it. Sometimes uncertainty is simply about confidence, and a conversation can make all the difference. Our children deserve to see their families reflected not just at home, but in the wider world around them.

Because when schools acknowledge LGBT+ history, they are doing more than marking a date in the calendar — they are telling our children that they belong. And that message will stay with them far beyond February.

- Matt Taylor-Roberts Founder and CEO of Proud 2 b Parents