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The month of February marks LGBTQ+ History Month, this year the theme is ‘Science and Innovation’, so we thought we would bring you one pioneering figure in both STEM and LGBTQ+ rights per week.
LGBTQ+ History Month: Alan Turing
The month of February marks LGBTQ+ History Month, this year the theme is ‘Science and Innovation’, so we thought we would bring you one pioneering figure in both STEM and LGBTQ+ rights per week. Don’t miss out on these great events being hosted at UoP, also mentioned in this article.
Who Was Alan Turing?
Alan Turing (1912–1954) was a British mathematician, computer scientist, and codebreaker. He is widely considered one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century and is often called the father of modern computing. Turing was a brilliant problem-solver whose work laid the foundation for computers as we know them today.
What Did Alan Turing Do?
During World War II, Turing worked at Bletchley Park, Britain’s secret codebreaking centre. He played a crucial role in breaking the Nazi Enigma code, which allowed the Allies to read enemy messages. This intelligence helped shorten the war by an estimated two to four years and saved millions of lives.
Turing also developed the idea of the “Turing Machine,” a theoretical model that explains how computers process information. His ideas shaped the design of modern computers and artificial intelligence. He also created the Turing Test, a way to measure whether a machine can show human-like intelligence.
How Did Alan Turing Impact LGBTQ+ History?
Despite his extraordinary contributions, Turing faced severe discrimination because he was gay at a time when homosexuality was illegal in the UK. In 1952, he was prosecuted for his sexuality and forced to undergo chemical castration. This mistreatment deeply affected his life, and he died in 1954.
Turing’s story has since become a powerful symbol of the injustice faced by LGBT people in history. In 2013, the British government officially pardoned him and, in 2017, the UK passed the “Turing Law,” which pardoned thousands of men convicted under historical anti-gay laws. Today, he is recognized as both a scientific hero and an LGBT rights icon.
What Can We Learn From Alan Turing?
Alan Turing teaches us several important lessons:
- Genius and creativity should be celebrated, not punished.
- Discrimination can destroy lives and hold back progress.
- Being true to yourself matters, even in difficult times.
- Society must learn from past mistakes to build a fairer future.
Turing’s legacy reminds us that everyone deserves respect and equal rights, regardless of who they are or who they love.
What’s on at UoP?
Thursday 19th February (16:30-18:30) - Eldon room 1.009 - ResLife is hosting an interactive lecture on Margaret Thatcher and LGBT rights.
Friday 27th February (17:30-20:30) - Eldon room 1.004 - ResLife is hosting a film screening on the Life of Marsha P. Johnson
Useful Links
The Guardian - Article on Alan Turing
BBC Teach: Turing's Computing Impact
Beyond Alan Turing: bringing LGBTQ+ role models into STEM | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect