June is Pride Month, but October also marks a time for important LGBTQ+ celebrations. In October, we celebrate LGBTQ+ History month, which was originated in the United States and first celebrated in October 1994. Rodney Wilson, the first openly gay history teacher at a Missouri high school, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history. Mr. Wilson started what was first called Lesbian and Gay History Month. Gay and Lesbian History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association and other national organizations.[1] In 2006 Equality Forum assumed responsibility for providing content, promotion and resources for LGBT History Month.
Every year, the Equality Forum selects 31 LGBTQ+ icons from all over the world, throughout history, and highlights a day throughout October. You can check out their list here. Check out some of the following stories about real LGBTQ+ people and historical events: Disclosure (Netflix), A Secret Love (Netflix), Paris Is Burning (HBO Max), The Celluloid Closet (Amazon), The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix), Transhood (HBO Max), Pride To Be Seen (Disney Plus), and PRIDE (Hulu), Milk (YouTube/Amazon), The Imitation Game (Netflix), Freeheld (HBO Max), Bohemian Rhapsody (Hulu), Rocketman (YouTube/Amazon), The Danish Girl (Netflix), and Professor Marston and the Wonder Woman (Amazon).[2]
Here are some important LGBTQ+ celebrations in October:
LGBTQ+ History month – Oct. 1 – Oct. 31
National Coming Out Day – Oct. 11
International Pronouns Day – Oct. 17
LGBTQ+ Spirit Day – Oct. 20
[1] lgbtHistoryMonth.com, About LGBT History Month, available at: https://lgbthistorymonth.com/background.
[2] Anna Rossi, Did you know that October is LGBTQ+ History Month?, available at: https://www.crresearch.com/blog/did-you-know-october-is-lgbtq-history-month/#:~:text=Even%20though%20most%20people%20think,in%20October%201979%20and%201987.