Cal Poly is observing LGBT History Month this October. The month recognizes the LGBTQ+ community for their resilience and contributions to our campus and around the world, according to an email sent from the Office of the President.
The Pride Center is hosting Coming Out Week celebrations starting Oct. 10. Students can visit the UU booth at 11 a.m. on Oct. 11 for National Coming Out Day, according to Cal Poly Now. Other events include a Q&A Panel on Oct. 14 in the Pride Center.
Art and design senior and Pride Center student assistant Mena Kim said the Q&A is an opportunity to bring together LGBTQ students and faculty and talk about their shared experiences.
“Coming out is a really important thing within the LGBTQ community. We wanted to highlight the people courageous enough to come out, but it’s also for the people who might not feel safe enough to yet,” Kim said.
There will also be events this month hosted by community partners, including the Gala Pride and Diversity Center. On Oct. 3, Gala is hosting an “Art after Dark” celebration, featuring art displays from local artist Gio Ortega.
Linnea Valdivia, Gala’s program manager, said highlighting the work of a local was very intentional in creating a message and sense of resilience this LGBT History month.
“We’re under attack in a much new way and so it’s important to me to have and curate spaces where we can be in community together and celebrate the joy and creativity that is inherent to your community,” Valdivia said.
LGBTQ History Month received national recognition by President Barack Obama in 2009, although it has been celebrated independently since 1994. October aligns with the first and second LGBTQ Marches on Washington, which occurred in 1979 and 1987, according to the LGBT History Month website.
The month’s focus is on education, including important historical figures and their accomplishments, according to their website. Pride Month, which is recognized every June, is most known for its parades and celebrations, commemorating the Stonewall Riots of 1969.