Celebrate and Reflect During LGBTQ+ History Month
This month, the University community is invited to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month through a range of special events. The University officially kicked off the month’s events Oct. 2 at the Intercultural Collective. The LGBTQ+ Resource Center, along with students and campus partners, has planned a full list of events throughout the month.
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.
LGBTQ+ History 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 (LGBTQIA+) 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.
“We invite the entire Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry community to participate in the schedule of events planned to honor LGBTQ+ History Month,” says Emily Stewart, director of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center. “At the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, we are committed to celebrating queer and trans individuals and their many intersecting identities throughout the year. There’s historical pride in holding space for these communities.”
Among the activities is the 6th Annual Potash Keynote Performance featuring Jackie Cox, from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 12, and local queens, Twigs Von’Du and Aria Vee. Student hosts Tommy DaSilva and Tati Nelums will moderate a panel to discuss the history and importance of drag in today’s climate and open up questions to the audience. The event will be held Oct. 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Underground, Schine Student Center. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. RSVPs will get priority over day-of event walk-ins. RSVP to secure a seat.
Other events include the following:
- Friday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Chalk the Quad: National Coming Out Day
- Friday, Oct. 11, 1-2:30 p.m.: What We Give and What It Takes: Authenticity, Coming Out and a Graduate Student Experience
- Tuesday, Oct. 22, 6-8:30 p.m.: Real Talk: Black and Queer Trap and Paint
- Thursday, Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.: Monsters Love Too: Fear Meets Fabulous
- Saturday, Oct. 26, 8-10:30 p.m.: HalloQueen Ball
- Tuesday, Oct. 29, 4-5 p.m.: Pride Pumpkin Carving With the Barnes Center at The Arch
