STAFF WRITER: noelle bodenheimer
Rodney Wilson, a Missouri public high school teacher, wanted to give students better access to LGBTQ+ history and provide them with examples of role models that LBGTQ+ students could look up to. As the only openly gay teacher in the entire state, he established a planning committee of other teachers and community leaders across the country. They chose this month because public schools are in session and Coming Out Day is also celebrated on October 11th.
Other historical moments in LGBTQ+ history have occurred in October, such as the two LGBTQ+ marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987. The National Education Association passed a resolution to officially recognize it as a commemorative month.
Equality Forum, a civil rights organization, became the official organizer and promoter of the month in 2006. Each year, Equality Forum selects an icon to honor each day – a total of 31 inspiring role models. To check out the list of this year’s icons, click here!
Why does celebrating matter? 
LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated globally to encourage schools, media, and other institutions to share the important stories of the LGBTQ+ community. Often not included in school curricula, LGBTQ+ History Month ensures that queer history is shared, taught, and celebrated. Many, many people have heroically, and sometimes at the cost of their life, fought for LGBTQ+ equality and it is important to recognize these sacrifices.
National Coming Out Day
The first observed National Coming Out Day was October 11th, 1988, in honor of the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. “Coming out” refers to someone “coming out of the closet”. The initial idea was the emphasis on the most basic form of activism – openly living life as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Be proud of who you are! Coming out as LGBTQ+ still matters. When people know someone who is LGBTQ+, whether it is their child, a sibling, or your best friend, they are far more likely to be supportive and fight for equality under the law. Coming out can also be very scary, especially if you live in an area that is not accepting. For resources to help you come out and live openly at home, at work, and in your community, click here.
LGBTQ+ History Month vs. Pride Month
Pride Month, which is celebrated during June, began with the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, is focused on the rights of the LGBTQ community. Pride is celebrated as a protest for the continued fight for human rights, whereas LGBTQ+ History Month focuses on honoring the past.
How is Penn State Fayette Celebrating?
On October 16th (12:15pm-1:15pm), Eboné Bell will be in Swimmer Hall giving one of her signature talks, “Speak Up or Forever Hold Your Peace”. Have you ever seen a problematic interaction? What did you do? Many times, we don’t say anything. We pretend we didn’t see it or that it’s not our problem – but it is.
According to the American Civil Liberties Unit (ALCU), within the last 9 months, there have been 84 bills passed into law in the United States that attack the LGBTQ+ rights, especially transgender youth. It is not the time to sit back and be complicit. This keynote will help you to identify the best way for you to speak up.
Let’s have a conversation – What does celebrating LGBTQ+ history mean to you?