Our February 2026 Monthly Roundup
- LonGBoaT Wakefield
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
This past month has been shaped by LGBT+ History Month, partnership working and continued practical improvements at Wakefield Kirkgate. From celebrating trailblazers to strengthening local safety networks, the thread running through everything has been simple: making sure LGBT+ people are visible, heard and supported in both public life and everyday spaces.
February gave us the opportunity to centre LGBT+ stories, both locally and nationally. We marked the month with a dedicated LGBT+ History event that brought people together to reflect on the past and consider what it means for our community today. Conversations explored how history is recorded, whose voices are amplified, and why it matters that LGBT+ lives are not erased or reduced to footnotes.
Alongside the event, we shared a series of spotlight features highlighting individuals whose contributions have shaped science, engineering, healthcare and innovation:
Elke Mackenzie, a pioneering Antarctic scientist whose life story reminds us how trans people have always been present in research and exploration, even when recognition came slowly.
Charles Beyer, an engineer whose legacy in Britain’s railway infrastructure invites reflection on how queer histories intersect with industrial progress.
Barbara Burford, who worked to embed equality into the NHS and championed better outcomes for marginalised communities.
Robert Boyle, reconsidered through a queer lens, prompting discussion about how we interpret historical figures.
Jemma Redmond, whose groundbreaking work in bioprinting represented the power of innovation shaped by lived experience.
We also published a broader reflection on UK LGBT+ History Month, honouring those who fought for progress while acknowledging the work still to be done. History Month is not just about looking backwards; it helps LGBT+ people see themselves in narratives of resilience and achievement, strengthening confidence and belonging in the present.
Recognising that celebration and wellbeing must sit side by side, we shared practical LGBT+ self-care tools. For many in our community, increased visibility can also bring emotional labour. Offering support strategies is one way we ensure Pride in history does not come at the expense of personal wellbeing.
Partnership working continues to underpin our Station Adoption project. This month included further collaboration focused on safety, environment and shared responsibility at Wakefield Kirkgate. Open dialogue with rail partners and stakeholders ensures that community voices, including LGBT+ voices, are part of conversations about how public transport spaces operate.
We also reflected on our wider UK Shared Prosperity Fund journey alongside Groundwork Yorkshire. Through this partnership, we have strengthened horticulture activity, improved green spaces and built opportunities for people to gain practical skills in a welcoming setting. The transformation at Kirkgate is not cosmetic; it demonstrates how sustained collaboration can restore pride in a space that many people rely on daily.
A look back at our recent horticulture sessions showed how much progress has been made. Participants have developed planting areas, improved biodiversity and created a calmer, more inviting station environment. For LGBT+ people, visible community care in public places can reduce feelings of isolation and reinforce that we have a stake in civic life.
This month also marked the start of our involvement in the VCSE Hate Crime Reporting Board. By joining this space, LonGBoaT Wakefield is helping ensure that the lived experiences of LGBT+ people inform local strategies around hate crime prevention and reporting. Representation at this level matters. It means concerns raised in coffee mornings, social groups and informal conversations are not left unheard but can feed into structured dialogue and accountability.
Safe Space Scheme
Our Safe Space Scheme remains a key strand of our work. The scheme invites businesses and organisations across Wakefield District to make a visible commitment to inclusion and respectful practice for LGBT+ people. Members display accreditation, are listed on our online directory, and signal clearly that discrimination will not be tolerated in their premises.
Safe Spaces matter because everyday environments can either increase anxiety or offer reassurance. Knowing where you can walk in without needing to assess the risk changes how freely people move through the town.
Volunteering
Volunteers continue to shape the work of LonGBoaT Wakefield in practical and meaningful ways. From supporting events and representing us at meetings, to gardening sessions and behind-the-scenes planning, their contribution ensures that LGBT+ people have spaces rooted in care rather than tokenism.
Volunteer inductions take place on the first Saturday of each month, alongside Volunteer Open Day sessions at the LonGBoaT Hub at Wakefield Kirkgate. These sessions are an opportunity to meet the team, learn about current projects and explore how your time and skills could contribute.
In the coming months we’ll be adding further spring and summer dates to our calendar, including opportunities for volunteers to represent the charity at community events across the district.
If you’re interested in getting involved, you can learn more and apply by visiting our Volunteering Hub.
As this month has shown, remembering our history, caring for our shared spaces and strengthening our local voice all connect. Each strand supports the wider goal of ensuring LGBT+ people in Wakefield feel recognised not just during History Month, but throughout the year.
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