GLBT History Month: 1994-present
From GLBTHistoryMonth.com, June 20, 2008
In 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of GLBT history, and gathered together other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur then.
GLBT History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, HRC, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and other national organizations. Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber declared October 1995 to be Lesbian and Gay History Month; and in July 1995, the National Education Association voted to support the concept. In 1996, the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut and the mayors of Boston and Chicago also proclaimed October GLBT History Month.
In 2006, Equality Forum’s Board of Directors and National Board of Governors voted unanimously to coordinate GLBT History Month, modeling it on Black History Month and Women’s History Month.
Goals
The goals of GLBT History Month are to teach GLBT history, to provide role models, to build community and to highlight the GLBT community’s important national and international contributions.[1]
See also: History Month and LGBTQ History Month.
References
- ↑ From the website: http://www.glbthistorymonth.com/glbthistorymonth/2007/about.cfm June 20, 2008, 11;04 am EST
