LGBTQIA+ History Month

Lafayette annually organizes programs, workshops, and events in October to commemorate the rich history, culture, and trailblazing icons of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This year, Gender and Sexuality Programs and various student groups are hosting 20-plus educational, celebratory, and social events to mark the occasion, including:

Keynote speaker Malcolm Kenyatta (Oct. 14, 6 p.m., virtual): Hailing from North Philadelphia, he has served as the state representative for the 181st district since 2019. He is the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to either chamber of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. On Feb. 18, Kenyatta announced his bid for the 2022 U.S. Senate.

National Coming Out Day celebration and resource fair (Oct. 13, noon-2 p.m., Farinon): National Coming Out Day is observed to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other sexual orientation- and gender identity-diverse people in “coming out of the closet”. Stop by for free giveaways, fun prizes, and educational resources from on- and off-campus groups.

LGBTQIA+ documentary film series (various dates, 7 p.m. Limburg Theater):

• My Name Is Pauli Murray (Oct. 4): Portrait of a non-binary Black luminary: lawyer, activist, poet, and priest who changed the world
• Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine (Oct. 13): Since the murder of Matthew Shepard in October 1998, LGBTQIA+ inequality and hate crimes are still reality
• Call Me Kuchu (Oct. 19): The struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community in Uganda in the wake of that country’s anti-homosexuality bill
• To Decadence with Love, Thanks for Everything (Oct. 26): The lives of two drag queens as they prepare for a weekend of New Orleans’ queer celebration of identity, Southern Decadence.

Spirit Day (Oct. 21, all day, campus wide): Spirit Day is an annual LGBTQIA+ awareness day observed on the third Thursday in October. Promoted by GLAAD, observers wear the color purple as a sign of support for LGBTQIA+ youth and against bullying during National Bullying Prevention Month as well as to honor LGBTQIA+ victims of suicide.

And much, much more including trainings for allies, identity-based celebrations in the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and virtual discussions with artists, activists, and researchers making big impacts for our community. Learn more about Lafayette’s celebration.

LGBTQIA+ History Month originated in the United States as Lesbian and Gay History Month and was first celebrated in October 1994. Today it is celebrated around the world.