Ulric Cowley – Staff Writer
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“I hope that folks who do not identify as LGBTQ+ understand the importance of creating spaces for LGBTQ+ people and that we want to move from being tolerant or accepting to being welcoming and valuing of all genders and sexualities,” said Maigen Sullivan, the Coordinator for the Gender & Sexuality Diversity Program. “We also want everyone to know that UAB is a place of inclusion for all and that is the standard we want all UAB students, faculty and staff to follow.”
What UAB is doing
Following Maigen Sullivan’s advice, UAB is celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History Month this October. LGBTQ+ student organizations are making sure that the UAB campus will have many opportunities for students and faculty to celebrate and learn about LGBTQ+ identities and their history. OutWeek also takes place during October, from the 12th to the 16th and the Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs and the Gender and Sexuality Union are making sure that LGBTQ+ students and faculty will have places and events to celebrate their identities. These events will also help bring awareness to non LGBT students and faculty.
“When I came to UAB as a freshman, I was disappointed that I couldn’t really find many organizations or events for LGBTQIA+ students,” said SafeZone Peer Educator and a member of the Gender and Sexuality Union, Harris Mclendon. “Now, as a junior, it’s great to see the progress that this school has made for queer students…It’s very refreshing to see that they are trying to go beyond simple diversity by actually providing more opportunities for queer students to be involved, be supported, and find community on campus.”
Outweek begins on Oct. 12 with Coming Out on the Green and LGBTQ+ History Month KickOff a celebration of LGBTQ+ identities with food and activities hosted by the Gender Sexuality and Diversity Programs along with the Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs on the Campus Green. On Monday, Oct. 13 the GSU will be sponsoring “A Queer Crafternoon”, a way for students to learn about Queer history and identity through arts and crafts. The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at BEC 119. Student Multicultural and Diversity will also be screening two queer disabilities films, “When I’m Not Alone”, at 6 p.m. at Heritage Hall room 106 on the 13th and “Are You a Good Ally?” from 12 to 3 p.m. on the Campus Green. Finally on the 16th there will be the Queer Film Scramble, a short film festival centered around queer and trans identities. The film scramble will take place in the Cahaba Room at the New Residence Hall at 6 p. m.
“Mostly we are doing events that encourage people to feel comfortable being themselves on campus, providing education around gender and sexuality issues, and creating social and supportive events for LGBTQ+ people.” Sullivan said. “Often, we are exposed to a lot of negative issues surrounding LGBTQ+identities, and that’s important, but I see this month, and especially OutWeek, as a time to celebrate who we are and the amazing things Queer and Trans people have done.”
LGBTQ+ History Month Review
LGBTQ+ History Month was founded in 1994 by history teacher Rodney Wilson, with the help of friends and several LGBTQ+ groups. According to The Advocate, a LGBTQ+-interest magazine, they thought October to be a good month because it took place during the school year and it was the month that the first and second LGBTQ+ marches on Washington took place. National Coming Out Day is on Oct. 11 as well.
What started out as something relatively small and initially met with a lot of backlash has grown considerably in the past 21 years. The LGBTQ+ history month is now acknowledged and celebrated throughout the nation.
In 2006 Equality Forum took responsibility for providing content and resources for the month. Their site lgbthistorymonth.com features and celebrates the acheivements of 31 gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual individuals. This year they’ve chosen to feature many individuals, such as Jane Addams, the first woman and lesbian to win the Nobel Peace prize, Miriam Ben-Shalom who successfully sued the military and became the first lesbian service member in the U.S. Army and Richard Blanco who was the first Latino, immigrant and openly gay person to be the U.S. inaugural poet. Another individual featured this year is Alabama native Laverne Cox, an LGBTQ+ advocate who became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy award.
