SUNY Brockport kicked off LGBTQ+ History Month with a campus celebration hosted by the Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CGSD) on October 7.
LGBTQ+ History Month was first founded by Missouri high school history teacher Rodney Wilson in 1994. For just over 30 years, LGBTQ+ History Month has served as an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer history, as well as the history of gay rights and civil rights movements.
Since its inception, LGBTQ+ History Month has grown to no longer being recognized in just the U.S. LGBTQ+ History Month has expanded its reach across the globe and is now observed in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Hungary, Germany, Australia, and most recently, Cuba.
In the U.S., LGBTQ+ History Month is held in the month of October to coincide with National Coming Out Day, which is celebrated each year on October 11 since 1988. The setting of LGBTQ+ History Month in October also commemorates the first and second marches for LGBTQ rights on Washington in 1979 and 1987 respectively.
Students were invited to join The Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Seymour Union Ballroom for this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month celebration. This free event treated students to fun activities and food and an opportunity to learn and honor the rich history of the LGBTQ+ community.
At SUNY Brockport, that history is reflected not only through commemorative events, but also through the ongoing efforts of student and campus organizations and LGBTQ+ friendly spaces.
The Brockport Pride Association is a prominent intersectional service club that operates on campus. Combining activism and education, the Brockport Pride Association raises awareness on important issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community both on and off campus. The Brockport Pride Association invites all students to participate in a variety of fun events, from watch parties to game and craft nights.
The Brockport Pride Association holds weekly meetings each Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Seymour Union room B129.
The LGBTQ+ History Month celebration is just one of the many initiatives the CGSD has organized since its establishment as a department of Student Union Leadership & Activities (SULA) in 2024.
Housed in the basement level of Seymour Union, the CGSD has cultivated a range of resources for students; including The Little Queer Library, a collection of LGBTQ+ literature, The Queer Closet, a campus-wide clothing resource and The Pride Lounge, a multi-purpose, LGBTQ+ friendly space.
In collaboration with SULA and other campus affiliates, CGSD was able to renovate The Pride Lounge last semester. The Pride Lounge now features study stations with whiteboard tables, designated meeting spaces, expanded seating areas and additional shelving.
While LGBTQ+ History Month may end in October, the celebration and advocacy continue year-round at SUNY Brockport. Students interested in learning more about SUNY Brockport’s LGBTQ+ campus initiatives can follow the Brockport Pride Association on Instagram @brockportpride or visit the events calendar for the CGSD’s latest events here.
