Skip to main content
LGBTQ+ History Month 2023

LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 Calendar of Events

If you would like to submit an event to the online calendar, please contact fdufre@umd.edu.

 

2023 LGBTQ+ History Month Calendar

 

Queer Recess (Recurring)

Mondays 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Tuesdays 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Located at and hosted by the LGBTQ+ Equity Center, Marie Mount Building

  • October 2nd - Pride Chalk Walk 
  • October 3rd - Mario Kart
  • October 10th - Gay Monopoly
  • October 16th - Collaging 
  • October 17th - Stroll Along McKeldin Mall
  • October 23rd - Power Point Party
  • October 24th - Adventure Time: Obsidian watch party
  • October 30th - Queer Tarot
  • October 31st - Trick or Tea

 

Quelcome

Tuesday, October 3rd, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Located in the Grand Ballroom at the STAMP Student Union

Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Equity Center and MICA

Quelcome is the first large LGBTQ+ event of the semester! Join the LGBTQ+ Equity Center and MICA in sharing resources, connecting with LGBTQ+ student organizations, enjoying free food, and building community with LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty!

For more Information, click here: https://lgbtq.umd.edu/quelcome-fall-welcome-fest 

RSVP Here: http://go.umd.edu/Quelcome2023

 

Pride Panel: Queer Excellence in Business

Wednesday, October 4th, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Located in VMH1202

Hosted by the Queer Leadership Accelerator and Smith Business School

Hear from LGBTQ+ professional on their experiences in business and how they've navigated the workplace.

 

Voices of Pride And Progress with UMD Alumni and Affiliates

Thursday, October 5th, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Located in the Baltimore Room at the STAMP Student Union

Hosted by MICA and the Alumni Association

Learn from a panel of Queer UMD predecessors and current professors about their activism on and off campus!

Voices of Pride and Progress Graphic

 

 

 

MICA trip to the Smithsonians: Black Queer Culture at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sunday, October 8th, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Meet at the Regents Drive Garage Bus stop OR College Park Metro station

Hosted by MICA and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

View pieces in the NMAAHC as part of a scavenger hunt to learn about Black Queer Culture. 

SIGN-UP CLOSED - all spots filled!

MICA at the Museum Graphic

 

LGBTQ+ History Month Ice Cream Social

Monday, October 9th, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. 

Located in the Kim Rotunda in the Jeong H. Kim Building Rotunda

Hosted by the Clark School DEI Committee

In addition to Maryland Dairy ice cream, there will be informational tables with several LGBTQ+ campus groups. Representatives from groups including the LGBTQ+ Equity Center, MICA, and O-STEM will be sharing important information and SWAG items. Please note that any member of the Clark School community is welcome to attend. Please RSVP so that we may estimate supplies here: https://forms.gle/FZ7nyov23GFo1sGg7

Questions? Please contact Ambi Narula (anarula@umd.edu) and Dr. Akua Asa-Awuku (asaawuku@umd.edu)

 

Come Out and Ride

Tuesday, October 10th, 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM

Start at the Department of Transportation Office, End at Manifest Bakery

Hosted by BikeUMD and the LGBTQ+ Equity Center

To celebrate National Coming Out Day, BikeUMD and the LGBTQ+ Equity Center will be hosting a beginner friendly group bike ride. Departing from Regents garage, heading through the engineering quad to Paint Branch Trail, the ride will stay on the trail and avoid major intersections. We will end at Manifest Bakery, get coffee and snacks, and then bike the same route back to campus. All wheels welcome!

 

International Coffee Hour

Thursday, October 12, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Located at Hornbake Plaza

Hosted by International Student & Scholar Services and the LBGTQ+ Equity Center

 

SEE Presents a Special Screening: Fellow Travelers

Thursday, October 12, 8:00 PM

Located at Hoff Theater

Sponsored by Student Affairs, SEE, ODK, SPP Alumni, the LGBTQ+ Equity Center

Fellow terp and former professional queer soccer player Robbie Rogers will be on campus Thursday October 12, 2023 at 8pm in Hoff Theater (STAMP student union) for an early screening of the pilot of his upcoming show on Showtime, "Fellow Travelers." The showing will be followed by a Q&A with Robbie himself.There will also be Homecoming Swag and giveaways at this event!

The show is about a romance between two men during the McCarthy-era Lavender Scare and is led by two queer actors, Jonathan Bailey, and Matt Bomer. UMD Students, Alumni and Community members are invited to this free event. Please RSVP Below:

go.umd.edu/fellow-umd-rsvp

go.umd.edu/fellow-nonumd-rsvp

 

Reflect, Realign: Queer Activist Art Workshop

Friday, October 13th.

  • Session 1 - Broadside Poster Printing! 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM at the BookLab in Tawes Hall
  • Session 2 - Zinemaking! 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM in the Pyon Su Room of the STAMP Student Union

Hosted by MICA and the Department of English

Learn about the history of Queer Print Activism and collaborate to create a broadside poster print at the BookLab! Then create your own Queer Zine in STAMP! 

RSVP required: https://stamp.umd.edu/QueerActivistArt23

Reflect, Realign: Queer Activist Art Workshop Graphic

 

LGBTQ+ Letters of Love Initiative

Friday, October 13th.

Location TBD

Hosted by the Student Government Association

Write anonymous affirmations to uplift members of the LGBTQ+ community. Your kind and encouraging words will be passed down to LGBTQ+ Students.

 

Queers with Disabilities' Rock n' Jam

Tuesday, October 17th, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Located at the MICA Cozy Corner in the STAMP Student Union

This event will be a part of UMD's Disability Awareness Month celebration and LGBTQ+ History Month celebration. At the event there will be rock painting and button pin making. All necessary materials will be supplied, but if you want something special you may bring it. RSVP at: https://stamp.umd.edu/QWDRockNJam

 

QLA LGBTQIA+ Trivia Night

Wednesday, October 18th, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Located in VMH2517

Hosted by the Queer Leadership Accelerator and Smith Business School

Join us to learn about the LGBTQIA+ community and compete for prizes during our trivia night!

 

TOGETHER Program: Relationship and Financial Education Workshops for LGBTQ+ Couples

  • Wednesday, October 18th, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday, October 25th, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday, November 1st, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday, November 8th, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday, November 15th*, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday, November 29th, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Hosted by the School of Public Health, Department of Family Science, Rainbow Families, UMD Prevention Research Center, and MD LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.

TOGETHER's workshop series is for LGBTQ+ partners to connect, learn, and grow together. If you are seeking to connect with your partner and strengthen your relationship & finances, then TOGETHER may be right for you! The University of Maryland’s TOGETHER Program is a FREE workshop series for couples. The workshop series includes six-sessions led by relationship and financial experts. We will also assist you and your partner in receiving additional free and low-cost services that you may need, offered by our community partners.

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/relationship-finance-workshop-for-lgbtq-couples-october-18th-tickets-719055994837?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

 

LGBTQ+ History Month Trivia

Thursday, October 19th, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

LGBTQ+ Equity Center, Marie Mount Building

Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Equity Center
 

Mixed & Multiethnic Identities Within the LGBTQ+ Community

Thursday, October 19th, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Located at the MICA Cozy Corner in the STAMP Student Union

Hosted by The Multiracial Biracial Student Association

This dialogue event is meant to center the experiences of mixed/multiethnic identities within the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month. We will be diving into topics such as racial imposter syndrome, colorism, and identity building. The following event is meant to empower those within the multiracial and transracial adoptee communities to share their stories and take up space. All are welcome to attend and learn more about others’ experiences and stories.

 

Cookies & Consent

Friday, October 20th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Located at the Juan Ramon Jimenez Room in the STAMP Student Union

Hosted by MICA and the Pride Alliance

Learn about and practice negotiating boundaries and giving consent through an evening of cookie decorating! Light snacks will be available for participants. Please RSVP through this form: https://stamp.umd.edu/CookiesAndConsent23

Cookies and Consent Graphic

 

Penthouse Sweets Social- LGBTQ+ Students in Tech

Monday, October 23rd, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Located at the IRB Rooftop

Hosted by the Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing (I4C)

This event is an informal gathering of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ students in tech at UMD and their allies. Stop by to celebrate UMD Campus Pride Month with food, dessert, games & conversation! For more information, go to https://inclusion.cs.umd.edu/news 

 

Queer Open Mic

Monday, October 23rd, 6:00 PM  - 8:00 PM

Located at the Baltimore Room in the STAMP Student Union

Hosted by MICA

Performers welcome to sign up at https://stamp.umd.edu/QOMsignup2023 

 

Queer Speaker Event: Baltimore Safe Haven

Monday, October 23rd, 5:00 PM

Located at ESJ 2212 in the Edward St. John Building

Hosted by QTiPP (Queer & Trans in Public Policy)

Come to this informational session to learn about the important work of this trans-led, drop-in wellness center which provides TLGBQ+ people living in survival mode opportunities to thrive! QTiPP invites all students and staff to attend! Contact gbb@umd.edu with any questions.

 

The Queer Limit of Black Memory, Ten Years Later: A Celebration of the Scholarship of Matt Richardson

Wednesday, October 25th, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Located in the Grand Ballroom Lounge in the STAMP Student Union, plus virtual sessions. 

Hosted by The Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, History, English, ARHU, African American studies, TDPS and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

DC Queer Studies returns October 25th for "The Queer Limit of Black Memory, Ten Years Later: A Celebration of the Scholarship of Matt Richardson." In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the publication of Dr. Richardson's book, The Queer Limit of Black Memory: Black Lesbian Literature and Irresolution, scholars, authors, and artists come together for a day of panels and performances. This is a hybrid event, but lunch will be offered to in-person participants with RSVP. For more information, see; https://exhibitions.lib.umd.edu/rising-up

 

Opening of RISING UP: 100 years of student activism at the University of Maryland

Wednesday, October 25th, 4:00 PM

Located in Hornbake Library

Hosted by Hornbake Library Special Collections and University Archives. 

For more information, see https://exhibitions.lib.umd.edu/rising-up 

 

NLGJA@UMD Presents: Influential LGBTQ+ Journalists

Thursday, October 26th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Located at Eaton Theater in Knight Hall

Hosted by The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists at the University of Maryland.

 

Pride Alliance Spook n' Slay Queer Costume Contest

Friday, October 27th, 6:00 PM

Located in the Atrium in the STAMP Student Union.

Hosted by the Pride Alliance


Transitioning to LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBTQ+ History month was founded by high school teacher Rodney Wilson in 1994 to highlight Queer histories that are often ignored or banned in school classrooms. LGBTQ+ History month, which takes place annually throughout October, is separate from LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June and intentionally coincides with the first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights on October 14th, 1979 and National Coming out Day on October 11th. Our Queer ancestors fought and won many victories for our liberation, but struggles from our history are re-emerging in our present, from transphobic anti-drag legislation to Hays Code reminiscent book bans. 

Despite the cruelty that Queer people have faced, our community has always been resilient and fierce. Trans women, drag queens and sex workers fought against police harassment from Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco to the Stonewall Inn in New York. Black artists created communities of found families in the Voguing scene to support each other. ACT UP staged protests and die-ins to secure more access to life-saving medication for women and people of color throughout the AIDS epidemic. Though hidden, our history is one of survival - we are Queer, we have always been here, and we will forever be here.

From this year forward, the University of Maryland’s Pride month celebrations are transitioning into LGBTQ+ History month in October in order to emphasize our communities’ struggles and solidarity in our shared pasts. In continuing our theme of “Love me Tender, Love me Queer” throughout October, we acknowledge that our community’s love for each other has been essential for our survival throughout history. No matter how often our communities must face these struggles, we will continue our ancestors’ fight in order to create for our Queer descendants a bright, loving, inclusive and fearless future!


2023 Theme: Love Me Tender, Love Me Queer

Tenderness is made possible by courage. We celebrate the softness needed for self-discovery, healing, and growth. The comfort found in community carries us through trauma. Our vulnerability is our strength.

We wear our scars proudly, but we are not defined by them. Hate can rear its head in the form of bullets or bills, but love reveals a path through tough times. When hope feels scarce, we turn to the open arms of our beloveds, we rest, and we remember that our fierceness cannot be contained by the shackles of bigotry. We are resilient, even though we should not have to be.

Progress is only possible because our elders have paved the way. The institutions of this settler-colonial state only acknowledged our humanity because fifty years ago, drag queens and sex workers threw bricks at cops. We celebrate the legacy of those who left us too early and give our roses to the living legends who are still here. Fifty years later, we reaffirm that there is no pride for some of us without justice for all of us.

In these halls of learning, we commit to the discomfort of unlearning our own ignorance. We must interrogate our own complicity in a system that leaves the queer and trans visionaries of our time struggling to pay rent. Only then can we begin to create the just future we deserve. We are united in the journey toward our shared liberation.

We shine bright. We treasure our soft, strong hearts. We are enough, and we are beautiful.


Other LGBTQ+ Programming at UMD

These meetings and resources have been taking place throughout the year at UMD and will continue even after Pride Month!

Weekly meetings of LGBTQ+ Student Groups

There are nine student-facilitated LGBTQ+ student discussion groups that have meetings weekly or biweekly, most of which take place in the LGBTQ+ Equity Center (2218 Marie Mount Hall). Head over to the Student Groups webpage run by LGBTQ+ Equity Center webpage for an up-to-date list of their meeting times and locations.

Counseling Resources

The Counseling Center is a safe and inclusive space where counselors provide support to students from underrepresented populations.

Rainbow Walk-In

Free unscheduled time with a counselor is available to LGBT students. Find more information about Drop-In Hour: Safe and Inclusive Support on the Counseling Center website.

Group Counseling

The Student of Color LGBTQ+ Support Group is open to undergraduate and graduate students of Color who represent the sexual orientation and gender continuum. Members of the group are invited to participate in co-creating a space to discuss identity, coming out, transitioning, relationships, struggles, victories, and more - a space to decompress, share what's on your mind, and find support.

The LGBTQIA+ Support Group provides a co-created space for non-heterosexual (e.g., bi, asexual, queer, lesbian, gay) and gender expansive (e.g., transgender, genderqueer, agender, gender non-conforming) undergraduate and graduate students to engage in discussions around their identities, coming out and/or transitioning experiences, relationships, families, as well as struggles and victories.

Back to Top