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.”
Please visit the book display celebrating LGBTQ History Month located on the first floor of Bird Library in the New Books Area.
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 575 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: