This guide, and the accompanying physical display in Bird Library, were curated by our campus partner Jorge A. Castillo (Director of LGBTQ Resource Center).
Michelle K. Mitchell (Reference & Instruction Librarian, Learning & Academic Engagement Department) assisted with the guide development and display installation.
Where: Bird Library, First Floor, New Books Area
When: October 12, 2023 at 5:30-6:30pm
SU Libraries and the LGBTQ Resource Center are celebrating the start of LGBTQ History Month and the corresponding book display installation with a reception. Attendees are encouraged to peruse the books on display. Some light refreshments, stickers, and educational materials will be provided.
Mix It Up: LGBTQ Across the World
When: October 6, 2023 at 5:00-7:30pm
Where: 310 Walnut Place, Syracuse, NY 13244
National Coming Out Day: Chalk the Quad and Tie-Dye
When: October 11, 2023 at 12:00-4:00pm
Where: Shaw Quadrangle
When: October 19, 2023 at 7:00-8:30pm
Where: Schine Student Center, The Underground
When: October 20, 2023 at 6:00-8:00pm
Where: Ernie Davis Hall, Exercise Room
When: October 21, 2023 at 10:00pm-midnight
Where: Schine Student Center, 304
Queer and Trans Solidarity List
When: Ongoing
As a visual representation of names, the Queer and Trans Solidarity List helps to further highlight the strong foundation of support within our campus communities. The LGBTQ Resource Center will be collecting names throughout the 2023-24 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, 2023. For more information, please contact the LGBTQ Resource Center.
The below description is from the recent SU News article (Quiñones, 2023) describing what LGBTQ History month is, and what events will be happening on campus during the month of October:
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.”
Quiñones, E. (2023, September 29). LGBTQ history month: A milestone to reflect, celebrate and grow community. Syracuse University News: Campus & Community. https://news.syr.edu/blog/2023/09/29/lgbtq-history-month-a-milestone-to-reflect-celebrate-and-grow-community/
Currently there are approximately 500 anti-LGBTQ bills circulating throughout the U.S. government, including a number of bills targeting the trans community. As responsible allies to the LGBTQIA+ community, we must move beyond only educating through great resources we find in libraries and advocate for those who are being targeted. If you would like to speak out against these anti-LGBTQ bills, we encourage you to call your representatives and advocate for fair and rightful treatment of the LGBTQIA+ community. Below are resources to help you with this process: