IN February, the world comes together to mark LGBTQ+ History Month – and Dorset is no different.

The theme this year is Medicine: #UnderTheScope, celebrating the contributions of LGBTQ+ people in the fields of medicine and healthcare.

Marking the event, Dorset Council has worked with the LGBTQ+ Employee Network to encourage equal access to healthcare, focussing on routine screening services.

Employees at council libraries have created displays highlighting key stories and important historical information.

Dorchester and Corfe Mullen LGBTQ+ History Month displays

A spokesperson said: “‘Dorset Libraries have created some great book displays for LGBTQ+ History Month, celebrating our diverse community.

“Books provide an opportunity to experience life through the eyes of other people.”

In Dorchester, staff marked a designated safe space and wrote short biographies of key figures from history you may not know were queer.

This includes writer Virginia Woolf and mathematician Alan Turing, who attended Sherborne School in the 1920s.

Corfe Mullen Library prepared a helpful poster highlighting the different pride flags used by those of varying gender and sexual identities.

Weymouth displays for LGBTQ+ History Month

In Weymouth, staff organised books into both children’s and teen sections, helping readers find content most relevant to them.

The children’s display included the acclaimed titles; Josh and Jaz Have Three Mums, and My Brother’s Name is Jessica, which explain the diversity of different family groups.

On Wednesday, February 28, the young adult author William Hussey will be delivering a free online talk between 9am and 9.45am.

He will introduce his books, share information about his background and answer any questions.

It’s suitable for children in Year 10 and above. The event will be recorded, but to access it, a ticket must be booked.

To book your ticket, visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-the-author-online-event-with-award-winning-william-hussey-tickets-807586331457