Gerald marked LGBT history month with a series of events that aim to celebrate LGBT’s role in British life

It’s been a busy month for Gerald Jones. The Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney has been speaking up to highlight the major role LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) has played in British History.

LGBT History month is an initiative that aims to celebrate the lives and achievements of LGBT people from our past and present. It also aims to raise awareness of some of the issues that face the LGBT community, and promote the life chances and opportunities open to LGBT people. Across the UK events have been held on all levels to recognise the important roles that LGBT have played in society.

To mark the month Gerald has been very busy, he’s signed an EDM (early day motion 1037) in Parliament to recognise the role that previous governments have made in recognising LGBT rights.

He also took part in a little piece of History last week by taking part in the ‘Independent on Sunday’s’ photocall to recognise the 32 openly Gay MP’s in Parliament. The picture shows the largest number of publicly out parliamentarians pictured together at one time, from a parliament with more gay members than any in the world.

And last Monday he raised the flag in Merthyr Tydfil CBC’s LGBT raising the flag ceremony with alongside representatives from the council, the Mayor, South Wales Police, Safer Merthyr Tydfil and Visible Merthyr Tydfil, a charity that helps support LGBT people in Merthyr Tydfil.

“It’s been a busy Month,” Gerald said “but it’s important that we raise awareness about LGBT issues around Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. Today we can see how far things have moved on for the LGBT communities across the UK in recent years, and I really wanted to recognise that by signing the EDM, but there’s still so much to do.

“We can see shining examples of LGBT people reaching stunning success like Catlin Jenner, Claire Balding, Nigel Owens and Gareth Thomas, but it’s not just about celebrities. We need to make sure that LGBT people from all backgrounds can feel comfortable in their identity, and local communities play a big role in that. It’s about making sure people know that whatever choices they make about their sexuality, it won’t stop them getting on in life, losing their friends or getting a career.

“LGBT history month is a great way to raise these issues and get the public as a whole to think about LGBT in society, past and present. I’ve been quite busy promoting it, as it’s an issue we should talk about more as a country. The more we talk about the issues, the smaller they become.”

You can find out more about the LGBT History month on their website, or you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter. A version of this article also appeared in February Merthyr Tydfil Times.