LGBTQIA History Month, formerly known as Gay and Lesbian History Month, was started in 1994 by Rodney Wilson. Wilson was a high school teacher in Missouri at the time who believed that a month should be dedicated to LGBTQIA achievements and accomplishments. In 1995, LGBTQIA History Month was added to the list of commemorative months in a resolution forwarded by the General Assembly of the National Education Association. October was chosen as the month of observance as National Coming Out Day already existed as a holiday on October 11. Also, the anniversary of the first march for gay rights in Washington took place on October 14, 1979.
As of 2022, LGBT History Month is a month-long celebration that is specific to Australia, Canada, Cuba, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, United Kingdom and the United States. In the United States, Canada, and Australia, it is celebrated in October.
Calendar of Events
Take a look at all of the exciting events and activities happening during LGBTQIA History Month.
Week 1 - October 1 - 7, 2023
Wednesday, October 4 |Level Up: Movements in LGBTQIA History | 4 –5:30 p.m. | Northside Room, Student Center
This session will provide an overview of key moments in LGBTQ history from the 1950s until today. We will learn about significant events and major players in the homophile, gay liberation, lesbian feminist, and HIV/AIDS movements, and look at how those histories shaped contemporary queer and trans liberation movements. RSVP on Engage!
Thursday, October 5 |Queer Coffeehouse| 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | LGTBQIA Resource Center, Smithgall
Queer Coffeehouse is an informal community hour for LGBTQIA+ students to share dialogue with each other, build community, and develop stronger connections among LGBTQIA+ communities. Help us kick off LGTBQIA History Month the right way! RSVP on Engage!
Week 2, October 8 – 14, 2023 (Out Week)
Monday, October 9| Chalking/Chalk & Talk | 1 - 3 p.m. | Campanile & Tech Walkway
Join Pride Alliance for some positivity spreading, COWeek advertisement, and simply hanging out with chalk! Meet up at the Student Org Hub in the JLSC and get to chalking the Campanile and Tech walkways!
Tuesday, October 10 | Coming Out Week Kickoff | 6 -7 p.m. | Campanile
The time has come: It’s Coming Out Week on Georgia Tech’s campus! Come around to the Campanile and join Pride Alliance for some summer treats and get the deets on the upcoming events!
National Coming Out Day – Wednesday, October 11
Wednesday, October 11 | Pride Prom |8 - 11 p.m. | Student Center East Ballroom, Georgia State University
Join the LGBTQIA Resource Center and the Multicultural Center of Georgia State University for our 2nd Pride Prom! This year's theme "I'm Coming Out," celebrates the freedom of expression and liberation of all queer people and will be hosted on National Coming Out Day! RSVP on Engage!
Thursday, October 12 | Community Kickback | 5 - 8 p.m. | Smithgall Atrium
Come have fun with the LGTBQIA Resource Center, the Office of Minority Educational Development (OMED), the Women's Resource Center and Student Diversity Programs and kickback with us! There will be music, food, games, and a host of various activities to participate in. RSVP on Engage!
Thursday, October 12 | General Body Meeting: Hex | 6 - 8 p.m.| Skiles 268
Come paint hexagon canvases, make friendship bracelets, have some pizza, and take in the spooky vibe with Pride Alliance. At the end we will build honeycomb murals to take pictures with pumpkins!
Friday, October 13 | Pride ERG Virtual Coffee Hour | 10 - 11 a.m.| Teams
An LGBTQIA Resource Group for faculty and staff! Join us for a virtual coffee hour and connect with other queer faculty, staff, and allies! Join the conversation!
Friday, October 13 | PrideFest | 2 - 5 p.m. | Campanile
Get ready for the biggest Pride celebration on campus of the year! Meet different Student Orgs and learn about the intersectionality of queer identities on campus and participate in their activities to earn a free COW themed T-shirt and a free King of Pops pop while supplies last! .
Saturday, October 14 | Night B4 Pride | 6 - 8 p.m. | CULC 127
Hunker down with Pride Alliance for a night of preparation and some light refreshments. Relax with friends, make posters, and get a bit of pride swag for the big day after: The ATL Pride Parade
Week 3, October 15 – 21, 2023
Sunday, October 15 | ATL Pride Parade | 9 a.m. | Meet at Koan Sculpture
Meet Pride Alliance at the Koan sculpture in front of the CULC at 9am to receive earplugs, snacks, and water, and then make your way to the parade in Midtown! Wear comfortable shoes because you'll be on foot for a while.
Q Chats Week!
- Monday, October 16 |QTPOC Q Chats | 6 - 7 p.m.
- Monday, October 16 |Women's Q Chats | 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 17 |Men's Q Chats | 6 - 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 18 | Ace & Aro Q Chats | 7 - 8 p.m.
- Thursday, October 19| T+ Q Chats | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Join our bi-weekly Q Chats! All Q Chats are Trans inclusive
Wednesday, October 18 | WorkFair: A Global Virtual Career Fair for LGBTQ+ Students and Recent Graduates| 11a.m. - 7 p.m BST
Organized by myGwork,the largest global LGBTQ+ talent platform, #WorkFair 2023 will once again feature hundreds of job opportunities for students and recent graduates alongside empowering career guidance workshops and webinars – all for free. Register on their website!
Wednesday, October 18 | International Pronoun Day Button Giveaway | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Campanile
Stop by the Campanile to pick up your very own pronoun button!
Wednesday, October 18 | Safe Space Foundations | 1 - 3 p.m. | Student Center
Safe Space Foundations is a new LGBTQIA beginning workshop that combines elements of our previous Safe Space and Trans 101 trainings. This session serves as a foundation to learning about gender and sexuality. Register on Engage!
Wednesday, October 18 | A Night with LGBTQIA+ Alumni | 5 -6:30 p.m. | Buckhead Room, Exhibition Hall
Join the Career Center for a night of board games, card games, and raffle prizes. Register on Career Buzz. For more information contact Catharine Groover.
Thursday, October 19 - LGBT Center Awareness Day
Thursday, October 19 | Queer Coffeehouse: Study Abroad|11 a.m. - 12 p.m.| LGBTQIA Resource Center
Join the Resource Center and staff from Education Abroad for a coffee hour focused on LGBTQIA engagement and considerations in the study abroad process. Get your study abroad questions answered, learn more about programs available at Tech, and common questions that LGBTQIA students ask when navigating this experience. RSVP on Engage!
Week 4, October 22 – 28, 2023
Monday, Oct 23 - Saturday, Oct 28: ACE Week
Sunday, October 22 | Queer Science | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Location TBA
Join queer scientists and experts performing experiments and demonstrations at Georgia Tech! This event is free, and lunch is provided. Register to receive more information.
Q Chats Week!
- Monday, October 23| QTPOC Q Chats | 6 - 7 p.m.
- Monday, October 23 | Women's Q Chats | 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 24| Men's Q Chats | 6 - 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 25| Ace & Aro Q Chats | 7 - 8 p.m.
- Thursday, October 26| T+ Q Chats | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Join our bi-weekly Q Chats! All Q Chats are Trans inclusive.
Tuesday, October 24| Building Belonging: Exploring Identity Questions at the Intersection of Faith, Gender, and Sexuality | 11. a.m. - 12 p.m.| Homepark, Exhibition Hall
Join us for a dialogue centered on the intersections of our religious and spiritual lives and LGBTQIA identity. Grounded in reflection, this session will provide LGBTQIA individuals an opportunity to engage in conversations around the connections and tensions that commonly arise between these shared identities. Allies and those wanting to learn more about this experience are welcome to attend this session to learn more about these intersecting identities. This event is sponsored by Hillel at Georgia Tech, Grace House, and the LGBTQIA Resource Center.
Thursday, October 26| Level Up: Understanding the Intersections: Being an Ally to QPOC Communities| 9 - 10:30 a.m. | Piedmont, Student Center
Learn about the unique experiences of queer communities of color. We’ll explore the compounding of race, sexuality, and gender and how these intersections create nuanced lived experiences that are different from non POC queer communities. Through this exploration, we will discuss the history of homo and trans negativity in various communities of color, the similarities and differences within and between racial groups, and how we can create more equitable life experiences for queer communities of color. RSVP on Engage!
Friday, October 27 | Pride ERG Virtual Coffee Hour | 10 - 11 a.m.| Teams
An LGBTQIA Resource Group for faculty and staff! Join us for a virtual coffee hour and connect with other queer faculty, staff, and allies! Join the conversation!