Merton is holding a series of events to celebrate Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) month.

This year’s programme kicks off with a film screening of ‘The Secret Diaries of Ms Anne Lister’ on Thursday 9 February. A second film ‘Kick Off’ will be screened on Wednesday 29 February. Both films will be shown at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Morden.

The William Morris pub, Merton Abbey Mills, will host a celebration party on Friday 17 February. There will be Karaoke and special guest cabaret artiste Claire Benjamin will be performing her comedy act.

Councillor Edith Macauley, Merton Council Cabinet member for community safety, engagement and equalities said: “Merton’s diversity is something to celebrate and LGBT History month gives us an opportunity to promote the contributions that the LGBT community has made in the borough.”

For more information visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/lgbt/lgbt_history_month.htm
-ENDS-

Notes to editors

‘The Secret Diaries of Ms Anne Lister’ is about a writer, landowner, industrialist, traveller and lesbian in early nineteenth century Halifax. She kept a detailed account of her life, loves and emotions in her diaries, which were written in code and have only recently been deciphered. The diaries form the basis of this drama and provide an astonishing insight into the life of the woman who has been called ‘Britain’s first modern lesbian’.

‘Kick-Off’ is about a gay 5-a-side soccer team, Platoon FC and its posse of flamboyant supporters come up against the toughest team in their Sunday League, the Bethnal Reapers. An outrageous comedy set in the crazy gung-ho world of 5-a-side footie.