LGBT History month takes place every year in October for the US and Canada but is commemorated at different times of the year in other countries around the world. For the UK, it takes place in February while in Greenland and Brazil, LGBT+ History month is celebrated during the same time as Pride in the Summer.
The month began in the US in 1994 thanks to efforts by a Missouri high school teacher, Rodney Wilson. He gathered other teachers and community leaders to celebrate and teach gay and lesbian history (this was later expanded to include other queer identities). October was chosen because public schools are in session and other existing traditions such as Coming Out Day (October 11th) also happen that month.
Since 2006, Equality Forum, the group that has assumed responsibility for LGBT History month, began highlighting 31 LGBTQ+ icons from around the world throughout all eras of history each day in October. The intersectional identities that these representatives have are also examined in these daily highlights. You can find this year’s LGBT History Month 2021 Icons (as well as explore previous years’ icons) here.