Time to talk about LGBTQIA+ History Month

By Cal Sutton

As a queer person in the U.S., I am greeted almost daily by news headlines that make me feel a pit in my stomach. From executive orders ripping gender affirming care away from my transgender brothers and sisters to ones erasing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, I tend to feel helpless.

LGBTQIA+  rights have been under attack for years not only in the U.S., but around the world. While I acknowledge the fact that gay marriage and other rights have become more widespread and accepted, our work does not end there.

As a cohesive community, we should take more time to educate ourselves and others on LGBTQIA+ history and rights.

We tend to appreciate “queer icons” such as Elton John and, in more recent years, people like Chappell Roan, but we also need to address the fact that there are so many other LGBTQIA+ historical figures that do not get nearly enough attention.

Most people who know about LGBTQIA+ History Month, observed throughout October, may not know about the man who created it: a teacher from Missouri, named Rodney Wilson. As a society, we claim that we are aware of this history — but how aware are we, actually?

Dedicating a month to acknowledging LGBTQIA+ history is important to the understanding of the community as a whole, as minority groups are less respected and understood.

I often find the days that commemorate and celebrate queer lives are met with arguments of why other groups do not receive a month the way LGBTQIA+ individuals do — this comparative mindset often comes from a place of deep ignorance.

When I look at a list of national month-based observances, I notice that there are no other groups or topics celebrated that receive the amount of backlash that queer-related observances receive.

Even though people say that LGBTQIA+ individuals are generally accepted in society, we have to address the fact that historically, queer people have been underrepresented as well as subjected to hate crimes and other incidents.

Entering a public space and hearing slurs exchanged as a “joke” is incredibly harmful to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Exchanging words that have been historically used as a way to bring down a group of people is ignorant and hurtful.

The history of queer people worldwide has been gruesome and negative, including some countries who jail LGBTQIA+ individuals, places who do not allow them to marry, or even including queer people subjected to death for who they love.

Addressing the fact that people within the LGBTQIA+ community have faced incredible hardship throughout history is important to make us feel understood.

Through small changes, such as advocating for LGBTQIA+ individuals, making conscious decisions to not repeat harmful phrases and respecting the harsh history queer people have faced are meaningful ways we all can make an impact to contribute to the respect of queer people — in October and every other month.

Cal Sutton is a sophomore journalism major