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by Elspeth Chapman - Fashion, Marketing and Journalism BA Student

Date: 21 February 2025

On 20 February, London Metropolitan University celebrated LGBTQIA+ History Month with a special event in the Rainbow Room that brought together students, staff, and the team to reflect on the rich and evolving on campus. 

The evening began with a presentation by the university鈥檚 Head of Special Collections, David Baldwin, who then introduced selected records from the University archive. Baldwin touched on why the archives play a crucial role in life on campus today, 鈥渨e wanted to try and find different histories that were represented so that students would then find their stories within the archive.鈥�  

The team highlighted historical documents that showcase the vibrant LGBTQIA+ history not only at London Met but off-campus too, 鈥淎 lot of the campaign work that students were championing was in response to events occurring off-campus鈥�. In the Rainbow Room, a new living wall timeline visually showcased key events from both UK-wide LGBTQIA+ history and significant moments at London Met. 

鈥淟ondon Met has always been great in providing opportunities and spaces for staff, but we found most consistently the Student Union has a rich history of moving stories and driving change forward.鈥� London Met鈥檚 archives stretch back 178 years, with the beginning in 1974.  

The event offered an opportunity for connection. Students and staff shared personal stories, engaging in meaningful conversations about their experiences and what is to come at London Met. Co-leader of the LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, Dr. Sebastian Cordoba, shared London Met鈥檚 remarkable progress within Stonewall鈥檚 鈥榃orkplace Equality Index鈥�. 鈥淚n 2023 we were ranked 551st in the UK, as of last year, we jumped up to 102nd.鈥� Cordoba hopes that next year鈥檚 submission will push London Met into the top 100 employers for workplace inclusion in the UK.  

Diving deep into the archives of London Met, you can find 鈥渇antastic and rich resources鈥� says the Special Collections Team, with some of 鈥渢he most interesting and inspiring material held at the institution鈥� about Staff and Student involvement in LGBTQIA+ representation.  

The event not only celebrated LGBTQIA+ history but also underpinned the importance of continuing to document and preserve the diverse experiences that have shaped London Met鈥檚 community over the years. 

 鈥淲e are really hoping this space and events like these will continue for the future, so that we can continue making important history at London Met.鈥�  - Dr. Sebastian Cordoba.