THE hidden history of Kirklees' lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities is to be unearthed for the first time.
A year-long project was launched at Kirklees' first-ever celebration of LGBT History Month.
The one-off event is being organised and supported by Kirklees Safer Communities Partnership, Kirklees Council, Huddersfield University, the Brunswick Centre and Kirklees Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Equality Network.
Clr Andrew Marchington, who chairs the Safer Communities Partnership, said: "The lives, achievements and contributions of lesbian and gay people have been poorly documented and often been hidden.
"The launch of the one-year project at Kirklees's celebration of LGBT History Month will begin to rectify this by recognising their achievements."
Andrew Millea, of Kirklees LGBT Employee Network, said: "Our communities, which are still waiting for full equal rights, have often hidden from society for our own safety as a result of homophobic bullying and negative discrimination.
"Consequently, it has been easy for others to stereotype and distort the reality of our lives.
"By presenting an honest appraisal of our lives we seek to replace ignorance with knowledge and understanding."
The project was launched at the university's Castle Hill Suite .
Speakers included Katina Bill, from the Kirklees Fashion Show, which this year covers the civil partnerships ceremonies, and Richard Butterfield, of Kirklees Community History Service.
He spoke about the importance of an oral history programme, as well as documenting hidden histories, and the Proud Heritage Project.
Gary Smith, of the original Pink Picnic Organising Group, gave details of the annual event. The Pink Picnic celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Thelma Singleton, from the Safer Communities Partnership, hosted the evening.
The results of the year-long history project, which will include civil partnerships, will be presented in February next year.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month began in the USA in October 1994.
LGBT History Month UK was started by Schools OUT in February 2005.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of a 1,500 strong Gay Pride march coming to Huddersfield on July 4, 1981.
Since 1986, the annual Pink Picnic has become an established event in Huddersfield attracting thousands of visitors from across the north of England.
The Pink Picnic has been celebrated in a published poem in the collection the "Flight of the Flamingo" by local author Robert Whiteley.
