LGBTQ History Month: A Milestone to Reflect, Celebrate and Grow Community
Each October, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Resource Center unveils a calendar that through the lenses of intersectionality, LGBTQ and global communities reflects on their history and contributions while looking to the future. The University’s official kickoff is Monday, Oct. 2.
LGBTQ History Month was created in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a high school history teacher in Missouri. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association included LGBTQ History Month within a list of commemorative months. October was selected to coincide with National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), which was already established, and the anniversary of the first march on Washington for gay and lesbian rights in 1979.
This month provides an opportunity for the campus community to learn more about and celebrate the history, culture and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual communities through a host of educational events, social events and discussions. With planning led by the LGBTQ Resource Center, the month supports the ongoing efforts of the center to raise awareness and offer support to queer and trans students, staff and faculty and promote a sense of belonging and inclusion on campus and beyond.
This year’s events are more important than ever. “At a time when attempts are being made to erase our community through anti-LGBTQ bills—banning books about us, eliminating access to health care for our trans siblings, or keeping some of us from public spaces by enforcing antiquated gendered dress codes—it is imperative that as a community, of both queer and trans people as well as allies, we educate ourselves about who we are and where we came from,” says Jorge A. Castillo, director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “This month’s calendar of events and programs celebrates and acknowledges the achievements, milestones and ongoing challenges faced by our community as we collectively imagine our future.”
Members of both the Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry communities are invited to participate. Explore event highlights below and the complete list on the LGBTQ Resource Center LGBTQ History Month webpage.
- Friday, Oct. 6, 5-7 p.m.: Mix It Up: LGBTQ Across the World
- Wednesday, Oct. 11, Noon-4 p.m.: National Coming Out Day: Chalk the Quad and Tie-Dye
- Thursday, Oct. 19, 7-8:30 p.m.: Latine Heritage Month and Fifth Annual LGBTQ History Month Potash Keynote: Salina EsTitties
- Friday, Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m.: Vogue Workshop
- Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 p.m.-Midnight: HalloQueen Ball
Call-to-Sign: Queer and Trans Solidarity List 2023-24
As a visual representation, the Queer and Trans Solidarity List helps to highlight and further the support within our campus communities. The LGBTQ Resource Center will collect names throughout the academic year for online publication; those who would like to have their name included in the print version of the list in The Daily Orange must submit their name by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8.
For more information or to request accommodations, contact the LGBTQ Resource Center by calling 315.443.0228 or emailing lgbtq@syr.edu.
Story by Esteban Quiñones ’24, Student Experience intern
