The LGBTQ Pride Center will hold several events and celebrations to commemorate LGBTQ+ History Month in October. This annual observance, distinct from Pride Month in June, focuses on honoring the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ History Month was established in 1994 by Missouri high school teacher Rodney Wilson who, along with other educators, chose October for this commemoration due to significant traditions like National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11.
Jae Edwards, assistant director at the LGBTQ Pride Center, said the month is particularly important at NC State since LGBTQ+ Pride Month can’t be celebrated on campus during June since the spring semester is over.
“So Pride month happens in June, but students aren’t here,” Edwards said. “We can’t really do anything for the students because they’re all gone. So we like to do our stuff during LGBTQ+ History Month instead.”
From Oct. 1-4 and Oct. 7-8, the D.H. Hill Jr. Library’s Cyma Rubin Visualization Gallery will host “The Audacity of Pride: Our Past, Our Future” exhibit. The exhibition showcases LGBTQ+ history, drag culture and the community’s journey at NC State. Created by the LGBTQ Pride Center staff, it features a collection of resources, photographs and historical elements. Edwards said the exhibit highlights the history of NC State’s LGBTQ+ community.
“It’s a journey of boldness, beauty and bravery, celebrating the colors and exciting stories of where we’ve been and where we’re confidently headed,” Edwards said. “It revels in LGBTQ history, drag realness and ballroom bombshells. This is all things queer at North Carolina State University, the colors and exciting stories, the details of where we have been and where we’re confidently headed and it is a celebration of cultures and communities.”
PrideFest, NC State’s annual outdoor festival, will take place on Oct. 8 from 2-6 p.m. at Stafford Commons. This event features booths, free food and resources for LGBTQ+ students.
Edwards said he stresses the importance of making resources accessible.
“We want to make sure that this is accessible to all students, and that they can go to these booths and they can learn different resources that are on campus and off campus,” Edwards said.
Aside from campus resources, PrideFest will feature booths from off-campus counselors, booths that offer free haircuts and massages and Free Moms.
“It’s very much rooted in self-care and de-stressing,” Edwards said. “It’s very much having a good time and not having to think about all the woes of the world right now and thinking about yourself and the people that you’re around and that you’re with and celebrating each other and yourself so that you get more pride in yourself.”
On Oct. 9 from 3-5 p.m., students can participate in Queer Quorum, a discussion forum focusing on resilience in the queer community. Leio Ibarra, a third-year studying science, technology and society, said the event is meant to spark conversations between community members.
“It’s basically where students just get a chance to talk,” Ibarra said. “Our topic right now is going to be resisting and renewing, so basically just resilience in the queer community.”
Edwards emphasized the significance of the month.
“The main thing I want folks to get out of it is understanding the deep, deep culture behind LGBTQ+ history and being proud of it,” Edwards said. “Being proud of it, being part of your community and how entrenched it is in our community as well. I want folks to walk away with a sense of joy.”
Ibarra said LGBTQ+ History Month gives the community a chance to recognize its roots.
“It’s important to celebrate and remember where we’re coming from,” Ibarra said.
