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LGBTQ+ Events
October is LGBTQ+ History Month!
In 1994, a Missouri high school teacher named Rodney Wilson wanted to give students better access to LGBTQ+ history as well as more role models with whom they could identify. LGBTQ+ leaders from around the country, came together and Gay and Lesbian History Month was born.
The group selected October for what would become LGBTQ+ History Month because school would be in session. October is also when we celebrate National Coming Out Day. The two LGBTQ+ marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987 also took place in October.
In 1995, the National Education Association passed a resolution officially recognizing it as a commemorative month. In 2006, the civil rights organization Equality Forum became the official organizer and promoter of the month. Each year, Equality Forum selects 31 icons to honor, one for each day. See this year's icons at: https://lgbthistorymonth.com/
Pride Month is in June. Pride originated with the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and is about uplifting the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Pride is more focused on the continued fight for LGBTQ+ rights, whereas LGBTQ+ History Month focuses on honoring the past.
LGBTQ+ History Month Events
October 11: National Coming Out Day
- National Coming Out Day is observed annually to celebrate coming out and to raise awareness of the LGBT community and civil rights movement.
- BE U With US! Celebrate your identity with us in the Student Center lobby from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be flags and stickers.
- For more resources about coming out visit: https://www.hrc.org/resources/coming-out
October 18: International Pronoun Day
- International Pronouns Day is about respecting, sharing, and educating others about personal pronouns. Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns particularly affects transgender and gender nonconforming people.
- Make your own pronoun buttons in the Student Center lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fill in your pronouns, and post on social media using the hashtags #MyPronounsAre and #ShareYourPronouns to tell the world why it's important to use the correct pronouns for everyone. For more resources about pronouns visit: https://pronouns.org/
October 20: Safe Zone Workshop
- Registration is required: https://forms.gle/ShfFo42Zok1aSMLq9
October 23: Legal Clinic: Name and Gender Correction and Estate Planning
- Legal Aid of Arkansas will be on site helping prepare documents at no charge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Washington County, room 210. Register at https://forms.office.com/r/ycYSh0uGX6
October 23: LGBTQ+ Resource Fair
- Learn about community resources at Washington County, room 210 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
October 25: Film Screening and Pride Family Dinner
- Pride is partnering with Intransitive and Arts & Culture + to screen the film “Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria.” The fill will begin at 4 p.m., followed by discussion and a Pride Family Dinner.
Additional Workshop Information
Safe Zone Training for Students, Faculty or Staff
Safe Zone Training is a 3.5-hour training program with the objective of reducing homophobia, transphobia and cisheterosexism at NWACC and in our surrounding community, thereby making a safer environment for all members of our community across sexual orientations, romantic orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersections of identities.
Introduction to Gender Inclusive Language and Pronouns Workshop
This workshop is designed for those who want to learn about the Trans and Nonbinary community, gender inclusive language, pronouns and other skills for providing gender-inclusive services and programs.
Special Request a Workshop
Departments, groups and clubs across campus may have different needs, levels of knowledge, and various skills related to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Special request workshops are designed to provide content tailored to a groups need for training related to sexuality, gender, LGBTQ+ inclusive classrooms, LGBTQ+ issues, or speaker panels.