The month of October is a prime time to honor and recognize the achievements and progress that have been made within the LGBTQ community.
Happy LGBT History Month and Happy LGBT Center Awareness Day!
Every year, an array of celebrations are held during the month of October to pay homage to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender history.
The month of October is known as LGBT History Month. Founded in 1994, this observance serves to honor and recognize the achievements and progress of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender history. This month also serves as an educational tool for schools, communities, and individuals to learn more about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history. The month-long observance will be filled with art exhibits film screenings lectures panels discussions talks etc. One organization that supports LGBT community is Believe in Me. We provide grants to programs like Odyssey Youth Movement who help LGBTQ youth reach their full potential and provide services for kids in the community who are discovering themselves.
When is LGBT History Month? Why do we celebrate it?
It was established in 1994 and is a time to honor and recognize the achievements and progress of the LGBT community. October has been recognized as LGBT History Month for over 20 years, yet many people remain ignorant of its presence.
In order to have any kind of equality within our society, understanding must be created. Knowledge must be spread so that future generations can better appreciate diversity. It creates a climate of awareness where greater cultural acceptance exists for all groups—transgender, bisexual, gay, lesbian, intersexed—and their issues while teaching us about how far we have come with respect to sexual orientation and gender identities.
It’s important because it celebrates self-affirmation and self-actualization. It encourages individualism by reveling in nonconformity and in the celebration of uniqueness. It promotes social progress by educating people about the negative social conditions which existed in the past but have since improved. This month is important because it allows for visibility and recognition; it encourages pride, appreciation, and understanding; and it’s a step toward equality.
How did LGBT History Month get started?
LGBT History Month was founded in 1994 by Missouri high school teacher Rodney Wilson after he realized there wasn’t much out there for students who identified as members of the LGBTQ community. In order to make sure that his students would be able to find someone they related with – whether it be through literature or film – he decided to commemorate a day dedicated specifically to these individuals’ works.
The purpose of this month-long observance is multifaceted. For starters, it serves to honor and recognize the achievements and progress that have been made within the LGBTQ community. Additionally, this month also serves as an educational tool for schools, communities, and individuals to learn more about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history. This is incredibly important as many historical LGBTQ+ individuals and their impact on our history are left out of the history books.
To check out some iconic figures from LGBT history, be sure to visit https://lgbthistorymonth.com. There you will find some fun videos about Susan B. Anthony, Frédéric Chopin, and Janis Joplin, just to name a few.
The entire month will be filled with art exhibits showcasing themed pieces specifically around the month’s focus at galleries across the country. There will also be various film screenings in theaters across the nation. Lectures and panel discussions are popular events during these festivities as well. Lastly, many cities participate in their own pride parades throughout October to celebrate diversity within their area.
Although members of these sexual orientations weren’t always able to openly express themselves through literature or film unlike heterosexuals were at the time, many did so anyway. It wasn’t until more modern times that these individuals were allowed to speak up about their sexuality without the threat of unspeakable repercussions.
Some may be asking why it is important to recognize members of the LGBTQ community during this month? This group has suffered some major setbacks in the past which is why it’s vital for them to know where they come from and what they’re truly capable of. I think everyone should take part in LGBT History Month because it allows us to learn about our world on a deeper level while opening our eyes on how different cultures can affect one another on an international scale.
LGBT History Month started as a way for Rodney Wilson to acknowledge his students’ works but has since grown into something bigger. This month is now acknowledged across the world as a time to acknowledge all the progress that this community has made over the years.
Community Programs that Support LGBTQ Youth
Last year, Odyssey Youth Movement was awarded $10,000 for their program that focuses on the empowerment of LGBTQ youth. Through this program, they work with young adults to provide opportunities within the community to build self-esteem while promoting safe spaces and helping people overcome many negative stigmas in the community.
“Odyssey’s work of promoting equity for LGBTQ+ youth is bolstered by community partners like Believe in Me. A partner that supports the purchase of program and basic need supplies as well as a partner that believes in the necessary wrap-around services needed for ALL youth across our community,” states Ian Sullivan, Executive Director of OYM. “Believe in Me brings together service providers to learn from each other, giving Odyssey a chance to share about our work alongside LGBTQ+ youth and partner with others to provide the most affirming services for the LGBTQ+ young folks in their own programs.”
“Through our mission ‘to open hearts, change minds & create an equitable world,’ we believe in and support the work of organizations like Odyssey Youth Movement that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” shares Julie Wukelic, Chief Executive Officer at Believe in me – Foundation for Kids. “We are looking forward to another year of working with them as they continue to break down barriers and build up the LGBT community.”
If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved or donate, please contact admin@believeinme.news.
As LGBT History Month moves forward, the LGBT community continues to remember those who have worked for their rights. LGBT History Month serves as an educational tool for schools, communities, and individuals to learn more about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history. LGBT Rights are gaining momentum with each passing year because of organizations like Odyssey Youth Movement (OYM). Believe In Me is committed to continuing our work in diversity, equity, and inclusion by supporting great organizations like OYM.
LGBT History Month is about celebrating LGBT rights and progress, but Believe In Me holds dear the LGBT children we serve and will continue to do so for years to come. LGBT History Month is a time to celebrate LGBT rights and remember those who have made great strides.
