Founded in 2004 by Schools OUT UK co-chairs, Paul Patrick & Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders, it was first celebrated in February 2005, after Section 28 was repealed. Section 28 was an umbrella term for various pieces of legislation that ran from 1988 to 2003 that banned ‘the promotion of homosexuality’ by local authorities and teaching about ‘acceptability’ of homosexuality in schools.

The night before Section 28 came into force, in 1988, lesbians staged multiple protests, including abseiling into the House of Lords and invading the BBC1 flagship Six O'Clock News show.

Lesbians have been a significant part of the RISE story and continue to be today and we are proud to offer support to LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse .

Through this celebratory month, we are going to profile four incredible individuals from the past, and the present, and celebrate their contribution to society. Look out for our profiles every Thursday in February.