J.K. Rowling, the author of the “Harry Potter” series, picked the perfect time to reveal Albus Dumbledore’s homosexuality October is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, or LGBT, History Month.LGBT month was first celebrated in October of 1994 in America by a Missouri high school history teacher Rodney Wilson. In the years following, its popularity grew rapidly, especially since it coincides with National Coming Out Day, which is celebrated on Oct. 11 each year, and was also the first Gay Rights March in 1979.
It became official in 1995 by the National Education Associations’ General Assembly and is now celebrated alongside other awareness months.
The GLBT history month web site is celebrating the month by telling the 31 biographies of famous homosexual people for each day of October. The people range from Leonardo da Vinci to Florence Nightingale, to Alexander the Great to Cary Grant. The biographies can be found at www.glbthistorymonth.com.
Here at West Chester University, our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Ally Alliance is celebrating LGBT Month as well.
Established in 1975, the WCU chapter of the LGBTQA focuses on making an effort to “promote equality for all people, and to insure the rights and privileges of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual students, staff, faculty and community members-at-large,” according to their mission statement.
“We spread awareness by being an active group on campus and by not being afraid of who we are,” LGBTQA President Lauren Forst said.
This year’s executive board, in addition to Lauren Forst as president, includes Andrew Kerwood, vice-president; David McMahon, treasurer; Melissa Nieves, secretary; Amy Marvin, SGA Representative; and Nikki Rockwell, graduate assistant. The faculty advisor is Jackie Hodes, Assistant to the Vice-President for Student Affairs
LGBTQA is celebrating LGBT month in a number of ways. In the beginning of the month, several students attended OutFest 2007, which is a day-long BBQ in Philadelphia that brings all people together. On Oct. 11, members wore shirts that said “Gay? Fine by me” on the front, and they encouraged non-members to do the same.
On Oct. 29, they have arranged for Alison Bechdel, an author and cartoonist, to come to campus to speak at their meeting.
“Students [who are struggling with their sexuality or identity] can go to the Counseling Center, which is in Lawrence 241, or they could stop by the office to chat to one of our members,” Forst said. “Most of the members, especially the executive board members, are all very easy to talk to and are willing to listen and converse with someone who may be struggling with their sexuality or gender identity. We have a list of resources in our office for places on campus and in the community for students.”
LGBTQA raises money through Project Lemonade. Project Lemonade was created in response to the radical groups visiting campus, such as Repent America. Students, faculty and staff can make a one-time donation or donate money by however long the group is on campus.
Heterosexual students, staff, faculty or employees who are interested in helping out are encouraged to become an ally, which is what the “A” stands for in LGBTQA. Allies attend a 90-minute training session where they learn terms that are offensive to homosexuals, scenarios regarding homosexuals and how to respond and how to spread awareness about homophobia.
A person does not have to be an ally to be a part of the organization. Also, a person does not have be a part of the club to be an ally.
Forst reports that there are 150 employees, staff and faculty members who have been trained to be an ally, as well as 150 students.
All are welcome to join the LGBTQA. For more information on the LGBTQA or on how to become an ally, students have a variety of choices. They can to visit their web site at www.wculgbtqa.org, emailing the club at LGBTQU@wcupa.edu, joining the Facebook group called “WCU’s LGBTQA: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and Ally Alliance” or stop by their office in 233 Sykes.
Jenn Halligan is a first-year student majoring in secondary English education with a minor in Spanish. She can be reached at JH653435@wcupa.edu.