LGBTQ History Month was started in 1994 by Missouri high school teacher Rodney Wilson. He wanted to dedicate the month to education on gay and lesbian history. October was chosen because school was in session, and National Coming Out Day is Oct. 11, which in itself commemorates 1987’s Second National March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights.
The month-long observance serves as a second yearly celebration of LGBTQ identities and reflects on the queer rights that have been achieved. It has even spread outside of the United States to be celebrated in other countries.
On the Central campus, there has been little acknowledgment of LGBTQ History Month compared to similar commemorative months like Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month, which see multiple campus events held during their run time.
Director of the LGBTQ Center, Donique McIntosh, who has a doctorate in social justice education, said she did host a table at the beginning of October in collaboration with campus Dining Services where people could win prizes for participating in LGBTQ History Month trivia. McIntosh said that the kind of programs the Center does depends on her decisions based on staffing availability, budget and vision for the Center.
“I could anticipate doing more to bring awareness in the future based on the factors I mentioned,” McIntosh said.
Pride Club president Cathal Leone, a sophomore, said that it is important for Central students to understand LGBTQ history because it helps people to learn about the struggles that queer people have faced over the years and continue to face. He said he has never seen Central do anything related to LGBTQ History Month in any form and that there should be more awareness of LGBTQ history on campus in general.
“It is important that CCSU acknowledges that queer people not only exist, but they have a long winding history that needs to be celebrated as well as understood,” Leone said.
Leone said that Central students should be aware of more LGBTQ history and know where on campus they can learn more about it. He said the best ways to learn more include attending classes on LGBTQ history, Pride Club meetings, and visiting the LGBTQ Archives of Elihu Burritt Library. Leone said that Central should make a greater effort to educate students on LGBTQ history.
“I don’t think it should be a responsibility of the students to constantly be looking at the history,” Leone said. “It should be up to the faculty at CCSU to show that there is history. They shouldn’t have to look for it, they should just get it.”
