LGBTQIA+ History Month
President Biden Calls for Increased LGBTQ Rights and Equality Around the Globe at UN General Assembly, Sept. 23, 2021, DiversityInc.
Videos
- The Origin of Everything: History of the Word ‘Gay’
- The Origin of Everything: Why Does ‘Straight’ Mean Heterosexual?
- The Origin of Everything: The Homophobic Origins of U.S. Law
Rainbow Connection
Fridays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 | 2-3 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center (2100 Student Center)
(Cultural Exploration/Social Enrichment)
The Safe Zone Resource Center hosts Rainbow Connection, its weekly support and dialogue group for LGBTQIA+ identified students and their allies. This group provides an opportunity to form supportive friendships with other group members, learn resilience skills and strategies for self-care, and set personal goals. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at safezone@ua.edu.
LGBTQIA+ History Month 50 Years: The Stonewall Uprising Traveling Exhibit
Oct. 4-29 | Exhibit opening Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center (2100 Student Center)
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
To celebrate LGBTQIA+ History Month, the Intercultural Diversity will host the Stonewall National Museum’s “50 Years: The Stonewall Uprising” traveling exhibit. In June 1969, riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York’s Greenwich Village are generally cited as the starting point of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement. Participants will learn about the creation and execution of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, the era of LGBTQIA+ liberation, the impact of gay activist organizations, and understand why the Stonewall riots became the catalytic movement in the effort to secure equal rights for LGBTQIA+ Americans. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
LGBTQ+ History Month Trivia
Monday, Oct. 4 | 6-7 p.m. | Safe Zone Resource Center (2418 Student Center)
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
The Safe Zone Resource Center will host an LGBTQ+ Trivia Night to commemorate LGBTQIA History Month. Participants will learn about LGBTQIA history, LGBTQIA+ history at UA and in the Tuscaloosa community. Guests will have the opportunity to win prizes, enjoy catered food, listen to music, and get pamphlets on UA’s LGBTQIA+ history. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at safezone@ua.edu or 205-348–7297.
Cinnamon Rolls, not Gender Roles
Tuesdays, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 | 3 p.m. | Safe Zone Lounge (2418 Student Center)
(Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
The Safe Zone Resource Center will host its weekly Cinnamon Rolls, not Gender Roles program for individuals of all identities to come together, eat pastries, and discuss topics concerning gender identity and performance in our current culture and climate. This group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. in the Safe Zone Lounge. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at safezone@ua.edu.
LGBTQIA+ History Month Presentation
Wednesday, Oct. 6 | 3-4 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center (2100 Student Center)
(Educational Engagement)
The Intercultural Diversity Center will provide a PowerPoint presentation in observance of LGBTQIA+ History Month. This presentation will focus on the 2021 theme of “Body. Mind. Spirit.” highlighting Lily Parr, Mark Ashton, Maya Angelou, Michael Dillon and Mark Weston. The theme invites us to celebrate LGBT+ pioneers while offering information and reflecting on all contributions. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Painting with Pride
Wednesday, Oct. 6 | 4-6 p.m. | 142 B.B. Comer Hall
(Exploration/Educational Engagement)
The Education Abroad Office will host Painting with Pride a “Sips and Strokes” style event for LGBTQIA+ students and allies to bring awareness and resources for students interested in studying abroad. The event will have refreshments, a short presentation and provide all supplies and a lesson for the painting activity. Seating is limited to 25 students and registration is required. For more information, contact Education Abroad at studyabroad@ua.edu.
Historic LGBTQIA+ Movie Series: ‘The Celluloid Closet’
Thursday, Oct. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | Safe Zone Student Lounge (2419 Student Center)
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
UA’s Safe Zone Resource Center will host weekly screenings of historic LGBTQIA+ films for LGBTQIA+ History Month as an opportunity for the UA community to learn about LGBTQ+ history and participate in UA’s LGBTQ+ community. The first screening will feature “The Celluloid Closet” along with popcorn, snacks and drinks. Participants will learn of the historical contexts that people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender have occupied in cinema history. The film shows the evolution of the entertainment industry’s role in shaping perceptions of LGBT figures including issues addressing secrecy, the demonization of the homosexual community with the advent of AIDS, and the shift toward acceptance and positivity in the modern era. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at 205-348-7297 or safezone@ua.edu.
Inclusion, Belonging and a Growth Mindset: Rethinking the Syllabus Webinar
Thursday, Oct. 7 | 4-5 p.m. | Zoom
This inclusive teaching webinar presents strategies for creating a sense of belonging and a growth mindset for students in the classroom. Focusing in particular on syllabus design, the webinar includes small group facilitated discussions through which participants will explore specific approaches they can apply to their own course syllabi. Registration is required. For more information on this webinar, contact Dr. Cassander L. Smith, UA Provost Faculty Fellow, clsmith17@ua.edu.
Druid City Pride Festival 2021
Sunday, Oct. 10 | 1:30-6:30 p.m. | Government Plaza, Tuscaloosa
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will support the Sixth Annual Druid City Pride Festival in downtown Tuscaloosa. This event will include musicians, entertainers and vendors, including headliner Jamaal Swain and ABC 33/40 News reporter Stoney Sharp as host. Children and pets are welcome. For more information, contact the Druid City Pride Festival at druidcitypride@gmail.com.
National Coming Out Day
Monday, Oct. 11 | 5-8 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center (2100 Student Center)
(Cultural Exploration/Social Enrichment)
The Safe Zone Resource Center will host a pride fest for the annual celebration of National Coming Out Day, which highlights LGBTQ+ identities and the process of coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ experience. The festival will feature booths with different LGBTQ+ aligned organizations, a photo backdrop, music, food, games and a special welcome from the new Safe Zone director. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at 205-348 – 7297 or safezone@ua.edu.
Food for Thought: Pronouns Matter
Wednesday, Oct. 13 | Noon-1 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center (2100 Student Center)
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
The Intercultural Diversity Center will continue its Food for Thought series. In commemoration of LGBT+ History Month, a special session will feature a Pronouns Matter panel discussing the importance of pronouns, gender expression and identity, and combating misconceptions. The panel will feature UA faculty and staff and other community members making a difference in the LGBTQ+ community. This program will have several giveaways to support educational efforts such as scholarships, backpacks and University of Alabama swag. Registration is required. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Invisible Histories with Joshua Burford, Director of Outreach and Lead Archivist
Wednesday, Oct. 13 | 2 p.m. | CDRC Training Rooms and Virtual
The Invisible Histories Project locates, preserves, researches and creates an accessible collection of the rich and diverse history of LGBTQ life in the U.S. South for local communities. Registration required for either in-person or Zoom participation. The event is sponsored by the College of Community Health Sciences Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity in recognition of LGBT+ History Month. Read more about Josh Burford.
Historic LGBTQ+ Movie Series: ‘Milk’
Thursday, Oct. 14 | 6-8 p.m. | Safe Zone Student Lounge (2418 Student Center)
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
UA’s Safe Zone Resource Center will continue weekly screenings of historic LGBTQ+ films for LGBT History Month as an opportunity for the UA community to learn about LGBTQ+ history and participate in UA’s LGBTQ+ community. The second screening will feature “Milk” along with popcorn, snacks and drinks. Participants will learn about Harvey Milk and the barriers he surpassed becoming the nation’s first openly gay man elected to a notable public office, his efforts in defeating Proposition 6, and how he transferred the Castro District into a mecca for gays and lesbians. For more information, contact the Safe Zone at 205-348–7297 or safezone@ua.edu.
Social Justice Movie Series: ‘From Selma to Stonewall: Are We There Yet?’ Screening & Q&A
Friday, Oct. 15 | 7 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center (2100 Student Center) and Zoom
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
The Intercultural Diversity Center will continue its Fall 2021 Social Justice Movie Series featuring “From Selma to Stonewall: Are We There Yet?” Participants will hear personal stories from Rev. Gil Caldwell, a black, straight preacher, and Marilyn Bennett, a white, lesbian activist, who form an unusual bond as they seek to find the intersection between the civil rights and the LGBTQ equality movements, centering cast members who live at the intersection of identities. The screening will include a special Q&A session with the Rev. Dr. Tommie Watkins. A hybrid model of this program will be provided for participants who want to engage virtually through Zoom. Registration is required for the online component. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
International Pronouns Day
Wednesday, Oct. 20
(Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion celebrates International Pronouns Day on Wednesday, Oct. 20. International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity and referring the wrong pronouns particularly affects transgender and gender nonconforming people. Together, we can transform society to celebrate people’s multiple, intersecting identities. Participate by taking the pledge for information found on the official website at https://pronounsday.org/.
Historic LGBTQ+ Movie Series: ‘Before Stonewall’
Thursday, Oct. 21 | 6-8 p.m. | Safe Zone Student Lounge (2418 Student Center)
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
UA’s Safe Zone Resource Center will continue weekly screenings of historic LGBTQ+ films for LGBT History Month as an opportunity for the UA community to learn about LGBTQ+ history and participate in UA’s LGBTQ+ community. The third screening will feature “Before Stonewall” with popcorn, snacks and drinks. Participants will learn about how the arrests caused riots at the New York City’s Stonewall Inn in 1969, how the riots led to a major development in the history of gay and lesbian rights in America, the national cultural perceptions of homosexuality and conflicts with police and censorship. For more information, contact the Safe Zone at 205-348-7297 or safezone@ua.edu.
LGBTQIA+ History Month Keynote: Lydia X.Z. Brown
Friday, Oct. 22 | 6 p.m. | Zoom
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
The Women and Gender Resource Center and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host Lydia X.Z. Brown as the keynote speaker in commemoration of LGBT History Month. Lydia X.Z. Brown is a gender non-binary, queer, disabled person of color, self-described as “multiply-marginalized.” They serve as the director of Policy, Advocacy and External Affairs, Parkville, Maryland, at the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network. They are founding director of the Fund for Community Reparations for Autistic People of Color’s Interdependence, Survival and Empowerment. Brown is adjunct lecturer/core faculty in Georgetown University’s Disability Studies Program, and adjunct professorial lecturer in the American University Department of Critical Race, Gender, & Culture Studies. In 2015, Brown was named a Top Thinker Under 30 in the Social Sciences by Pacific Standard and included on Mic’s inaugural list of “the next generation of impactful leaders, cultural influencers, and breakthrough innovators.” Brown often speaks on law as a tool for change, “falling into activism,” and the intersections of oppression. Registration is required. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Ace Week
Monday-Friday, Oct. 25-29 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
The Safe Zone Resource Center will host a visibility campaign on social media for Ace Week, formerly known as Asexual Awareness Week and founded in 2010 as an international movement to support the asexual community with posts about asexual-inclusive resources and media. Information on the asexual community also will be available in the Safe Zone Student Lounge in the information displays, and asexual pride flags and buttons will be available for students in the center to allow them to promote awareness for their identities. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at 205-348-7297 or safezone@ua.edu.
Safe Zone Open House
Monday, Oct. 25 | Safe Zone Student Lounge (2418 Student Center) (Cultural Exploration/Social Enrichment)
The Safe Zone Resource Center will host an open house for students, faculty and staff. Guests are welcome to drop by, learn about the programs and services provided by the Safe Zone Resource Center, and meet the new director. Light refreshments, informational handouts, small pride flags, and Safe Zone buttons will be available.