UHart Celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month
LGBTQ+ History Month, also known as LGBT History Month, is observed annually in October to bring awareness to the history of the gay rights movement and celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals.
“LGBTQ+” collectively refers to individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. It is sometimes stated as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender), GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender), or LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual). The addition of the Q for queer is a more recently preferred version of the acronym, as cultural opinions of the term focus increasingly on its positive, reclaimed definition, which recognizes more fluid identities; and as a move towards greater inclusivity for gender-expansive people. The Q can also stand for questioning, referring to those who are still exploring their own sexuality and/or gender. The “+” represents those who are part of the community, but for whom LGBTQ does not accurately capture or reflect their identity. Further explore these terms and more by visiting the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Glossary of Foundational Terms and Affirming Language.
Campus Program
We hope you’ll join us in honoring the identities, experiences, and accomplishments of LGBTQ+ members of our campus community by attending our LGBTQ+ Heritage Month Program.
Queer on Campus
Join us for “Queer on Campus,” an LGBTQ+ History Month program, on Thursday, Oct. 20, 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. A representative from the local organization Q+ will be joining us on campus to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, including a discussion on the meaning, importance, and use of orientation labels and gender pronouns. We will take a look at how queer identity intersects with other aspects of identity and culture and learn more about how to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. Throughout the program, we will learn about important aspects of identity and inclusion, as well as breaking barriers of invisibility for the LGBTQIA+ community on our campus.
This program will be held in a hybrid format. Please register here to receive location information.
Resources
Videos:
Podcasts:
Websites:
- LGBT History Month – 31 Days, 31 Icons
- PFLAG
Resource Guides:
- GLSEN – LGBTQ History
- National Museum of American History – LGBTQ History
Celebrating Heritage Months and Identity Recognition
Throughout the year, UHart commemorates national heritage months and identity acknowledgments. These recognitions are an opportunity for all members of the community to continue our learning and engage in meaningful programming that recognizes, examines, and values historical legacies of all identities, celebrates its present, engages the diversity of lived experiences within our community, enhances our awareness, and raises visibility for communities across campus and beyond. Through community spotlights, guest speakers, panels, conversations, and research presentations, we foster an inclusive community at UHart. Read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEIJ).
Please see below for a listing of heritage months and identity acknowledgments. While these acknowledgments and recognitions are attached to a particular month, week, or day, honoring and learning about these identities is not time-limited. We hope this calendar is a helpful tool to ensure we’re inclusive of all members of our community.
- Sept. 15-Oct. 15: Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
- Oct: National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- Oct: LGBTQ+ Heritage Month
- Second Monday of Oct. (Oct. 10): Indigenous People's Day
- Third Wednesday of Oct. (Oct. 19): International Pronouns Day
- Nov: Native American Heritage Month
- Nov. 13-19: Trans Awareness Week
- Nov. 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
- Dec. 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Third Monday of Jan. (Jan. 16): Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Feb.: Black History Month
- Mar.: Women's History Month
- Mar. 8: International Women's Day
- Apr.: Arab American Heritage Month
- Apr. 18, 2023: Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day)
- May: Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
- May: Jewish American Heritage Month
- May: Mental Health Awareness Month
- Jun.: LGBTQ Pride Month
- Jun. 19: Juneteenth
- Jul.: Disability Pride Month
Questions, comments, or suggestions? Contact Christine Grant, Assistant Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement (cgrant@hartford.edu; 860-768-4220) and/or Lisa Coté, Assistant Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (licote@hartford.edu; 860-768-4932)