By Caitlyn Morral
Staff Writer
October marks LGBT History Month, a month dedicated to pride for the LGBTQ+ community.
In addition to National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, the month has a series of recognized days, such as Spirit Day (Oct. 15), Intersex Awareness Day (Oct. 26) and Asexual Awareness Day (Oct. 1) and Ally Week (Oct. 12-16).
St. Bonaventure’s alliance group, Spectrum, has scheduled events that students can be a part of in celebration of the month, according to Sean Conklin, the assistant curator at The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts and advisor of Spectrum.
“Basically, the month serves as a time of education and pride,” said Conklin. “It is simply nice to have a time of reflection, a time of directed education and [a time] of appreciation and pride for one’s community and oneself.”
In honor of Spirit Day, members of Spectrum will wear purple (which represents spirit on the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag) and hand out resource kits on what to do as a witness of LGBTQ+ bullying.
For Intersex Awareness Day, there will be an informational session in The Quick Center about what it means to be intersex, or both male and female, said Conklin.
Students will have the chance to sign a pledge card in both the Hickey Dining Hall and the Reilly Center on Oct. 30 to show their support in making the university a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community, said Conklin.
The club will also create posters and Power Point slides throughout October about what the month has to offer.
October was first recognized as LGBT History Month in 1994 when Rodney Wilson, an openly gay high school teacher and Missouri resident, decided that LGBTQ+ history should be more inclusive in the educational environment, according to Conklin.
Treasurer of Spectrum Bryce Spadafora is also excited about what this month involves.
“This month is an opportunity to look at all of the progress that the LGBTQ+ community has made,” said Spadafora, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major. “It’s a chance to recognize the LGBTQ+ people who have fought and continue to fight for equality. It’s a time to come together as a community.”
For more information on how to get involved with Spectrum, students can contact Conklin at sconklin@sbu.edu.
“Spectrum intends to make the most out of this time and share it with anyone who will partake,” said Conklin.
morralce14@bonaventure.edu
