It's LGBTQ+ History Month
The progressive wave that we experienced in the early 2010s did not come about because politicians suddenly remembered that equality matters. It was the result of years of campaigning, protesting, lobbying, writing and claiming and reclaiming space and narrative.
Today, 2026 is exactly 32 days old, but from a news cycle perspective, it feels much older. If last year felt like a rollercoaster, then this year is set to be an even greater challenge.
As well as global unrest and the breakdown of the post-war order we had become accustomed to, we are witnessing LGBTQ+ history being made, for better or worse.
This LGBTQ+ History Month is truly exceptional. In the Netherlands, we have witnessed the inauguration of the country's first openly gay prime minister. Rob Jetten is making history, and we are fortunate to be able to witness this event unfold. This is a significant milestone for Dutch LGBTQ+ communities. I dare say it gives hope. Hope in times of great uncertainty.
Renee Nicole Good is another name that has made LGBTQ+ history, albeit for all the wrong reasons. In true LGBTQ+ tradition, she dared to resist the authoritarian rebuilding of the US state, peacefully protesting against the arbitrariness and violence of ICE.
Video footage captured the moment ICE officer Jonathan Ross fired shots at Good's vehicle as she attempted to drive away from federal agents conducting an enforcement operation.
She exercised her First Amendment rights and stood up for her community. We shall remember Renee Nicole Good as the brave lesbian woman she was.
The first signs that the wave of progressiveness was grinding to a halt emerged in 2016, a year of seismic shifts in Europe and the US. Both Britain's exit from the European Union and the election of Donald Trump marked the beginning of a new era. As LGBTQ+ communities, we must now work harder to protect the legislative and societal progress we have achieved, and to make further progress for those in our communities who are still struggling.
More than just the language used has changed in the US. Trump's administration is actively abolishing LGBTQ+ support initiatives and institutions. The situation in the UK is a little less sinister, but the Labour government's current approach could be described at best as fence-sitting. It has overseen anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives by the previous Tory government coming into effect, and has not acted upon court decisions to clarify and improve legislation.
In Britain, well-resourced pressure groups are driving the undoing of LGBTQ+ rights through court actions, setting legal precedents and unrelenting lobbying. They are heavily focusing on the rights of trans and non-binary people.
From an equality perspective, the next general election in 2029 may be met with worry.
Having said all this, none of it is unstoppable. LGBTQ+ individuals have agency, and LGBTQ+ communities have power. Although the current situation looks grim, we can draw on our history from decades ago.
The progressive wave that we experienced in the early 2010s did not come about because politicians suddenly remembered that equality matters. It was the result of years of campaigning, protesting, lobbying, writing and claiming and reclaiming space and narrative.
It was the result of not waiting to be granted a seat at the table. We demanded a seat with persistence, and we got it.
The repeal of Section 28, the Equality Act, same-sex marriage and the Gender Recognition Act in the UK were the result of decades of courage, and there is plenty of courage out there.
Folks, let's use this month to remind ourselves of our enormous achievements over the years and draw inspiration from those who came before us.
We have work to do.
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