Cosumnes River College Celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month
October 1 marks the beginning of LGBTQ+ History Month, a period dedicated to recognizing and honoring the contributions and strides made by the LGBTQIA2S+ Community. LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated annually and has been adopted by many nations around the globe. Originally created to recognize the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer communities, the month has expanded to include the lived experiences of intersex, asexual, and two-spirit individuals as well. The month-long observance celebrates the milestones and impacts made by LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and their movements throughout history.
LGBTQ+ History Month was created in 1994 by a high school history teacher in Missouri named Rodney Wilson – the first out public school teacher in the state. Wilson believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of queer history, giving students access to LGBTQ+ figures and role models to identify with. Wilson and other teachers selected October as LGBTQ+ History Month to ensure the month's recognition falls within the academic school year (compared to Pride Month in June), and to honor National Coming Out Day (which is October 11 and was first celebrated in 1988) as well as the 1979 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights (which occurred on October 14).
Join us in pride this LGBTQ+ History Month at CRC in celebrating and uplifting our LGBTQIA2S+ community on campus, students, staff, and faculty alike. The PRIDE Center will be hosting events throughout October for folks to connect and create community with each other.