October marks the celebration of LGBTQIA+ History Month. According to Affinity Groups Coordinator Helen Kramer, LGBTQIA+ History Month was first created in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a Missouri teacher who wanted to educate others on the LGBTQIA+ movement. October was designated as the month for the movement’s celebration because National Coming Out Day had already been established, in 1988, falling on Oct. 11. Kramer added that universities in particular tend to recognize this month because many are not in session during Pride Month in June.
As part of Kramer’s role, they work on identity-based projects with various segments of the community, including employee resource groups, student groups and alumni groups. During this month they oversee programming for any LGBTQIA+ events on campus and assist other groups in creating events that involve queer identities.
There are several speakers visiting Lawrence University to commemorate LGBTQIA+ History Month. On Oct. 10, Tristan Taormino, an American author, did a reading from “A Part of the Heart Can’t Be Eaten: A Memoir,” which recounts Taormino and her father’s coming out in the late 1980’s. Additionally, on Oct. 11, she did a talk entitled “The Sex Ed You Never Got,” which highlighted consent, developing healthy relationships and how queer sexualities are often left out of sex education.
Later in the month, Lawrence will host a multi-day event with a two-part documentary screening, panel discussion and guest speaker. Lawrence has partnered with PBS Wisconsin and the local chapter of Diverse & Resilient to screen PBS Wisconsin’s documentary “Wisconsin PRIDE,” a two-hour film about Wisconsin LGBTQIA+ lives and history.
“Part One: Hidden Histories” will be screened at 6 p.m. in Stansbury Theatre on Oct. 29, followed by a panel discussion and Q+A with people who lived that history. “Part Two: Struggles and Victories” will be screened at 6 p.m. in Stansbury Theatre on Oct. 30, and will be followed by a talk given by Dr. Brice D. Smith, the Executive Director of lgbt milWALKee. Smith authored a book about trans activist Lou Sullivan, who was born and raised in Milwaukee and was notably the first transgender man to publicly identify as gay. Regarding the “Wisconsin PRIDE” documentary, Smith commented, “I’m so proud to be part of this amazing project. I am impressed by the thoughtfulness and care that went into making it, and honored to be featured as a Wisconsin LGBTQ+ historian who got to share the story of local trans activist Lou Sullivan.”
Furthermore, PRISM, a club focused on empowering queer students, will be hosting an event next month. Isabel Dorn, Communications Manager of PRISM, noted that the club will be hosting the annual Queer Potluck on Thursday, Nov. 9 in the Diversity and Intercultural Center. Dorn stated that this is an opportunity for queer students and allies to gather towards the end of the term and celebrate their identities. As a newer organization, PRISM has been spreading information about LGBTQIA+ History Month on campus and hopes to contribute to the celebrations of this month in the future, said Celia Carrillo, President of the PRISM board.
“LGBTQ+ History Month is a commitment to celebrating and sharing our history,” Smith stated. “Writing Lou Sullivan’s biography gave me the courage to transition, to embrace and become who I am, and in the years since I have repeatedly experienced the power of history to transform the lives of LGBTQ+ people. It is a joy and an honor to help make that happen—to help transform the lives of others through the power of history.”