Since 1994, October has been a month dedicated to the history of the LGBTQ+ community.
Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, felt a month should be selected for the acknowledgement and study of gay and lesbian history. While June is celebrated as Pride Month, October celebrates the history of queer people because of its relation to National Coming Out Day and the marches on Washington.
On Oct. 14, 1979, over 75 thousand people gathered in Washington, D.C. to demand civil rights for queer individuals. Speakers, authors, comedians and more performed for audiences as a way to connect with members of their community.
Howard University’s brief concerning the historical event states organizers of the march had five demands: They wanted the government to pass a comprehensive lesbian and gay rights bill in Congress, issue a presidential executive order banning sexual orientation discrimination and repeal all anti-lesbian and gay laws.
Also, they requested an equality in lesbian mother and gay father custody cases along with the protection of gay and lesbian children from laws created to harass them in their homes, schools, jobs and social environments.
WSC has repeatedly announced its desire to serve as an ally for queer students and faculty members in Wayne. In 2022, WSC’s faculty and students released a position statement after a shooting at a gay bar in Colorado Springs;
“We encourage institutions of power and governance within Nebraska and the surrounding region to adopt policies that focus on protecting the dignity and welfare of those at risk of violence in our communities,” the statement said.
“We stand united in supporting our fellow Wayne State LGBTQI+ students, faculty, staff, and community members as we mourn those who died or were injured due to tragic events like the ones in Colorado Springs, Orlando, and other communities over the past several years.”
SAB is hosting a few events this month in recognition of the celebration. Jeff Venekamp will be speaking on October 11 at 6 p.m. in the Ramsey Theatre for National Coming Out Day.
There will also be a movie night on October 18 at 7 p.m. in the Frey Conference Suite featuring “But I’m a Cheerleader” for International Pronouns Day. Students are encouraged to dress as their favorite queer icon to compete for prizes.
That same day there will be free pronouns pins, pride flags and more from 2:30-5:00 p.m. in front of the SAB office in the lower gag.
