Gay and Lesbian History Month

Gay and Lesbian History Month is the most recent addition to the "cultural group month" phenomenon. In January of 1994, Rodney Wilson, a high school teacher in Missouri, was dismayed about the lack of gay and lesbian history from textbooks. He organized community leaders and teachers to educate the public about gay and lesbian historical figures and events. A nation-wide grassroots network began to work on an education and celebration campaign that continues into today.

The month of October was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversaries of the first two gay and lesbian marches on Washington, October 1979, which drew over 200,000, and October 1987, which drew over 500,000 and had the first public viewing of the NAMES Project AIDS Quilt, as well as the fact that National Coming Out Day is on October 11th. Since its beginnings, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and other national organizations have endorsed it. The governors of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Oregon, as well as the mayors of Boston and Chicago, declared October National Lesbian and Gay History Month in 1995. And in July of the same year, the National Education Association passed an amendment supporting Gay and Lesbian History Month.

The theme for 1997's Gay and Lesbian History Month is Charting The Future, Reclaiming the Past. Click here to view the announcement. Gay and Lesbian History Month has served not only as a time to study and celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered history, but also to focus the public's attention on GLBT issues, such as discrimination, marriage rights, AIDS, domestic partner benefits, and more. It also helps to provide mainstream America with a more positive view of GLBT people.

Back Home For the Holidays

	Gay and Lesbian History Month is the most recent addition to the "cultural group month" phenomenon. In January of 1994, Rodney Wilson, a high school teacher in Missouri, was dismayed about the lack of gay and lesbian history from textbooks. He organized community leaders and teachers to educate the public about gay and lesbian historical figures and events. A nation-wide grassroots network began to work on an education and celebration campaign that continues into today.
	The month of October was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversaries of the first two gay and lesbian marches on Washington, October 1979, which drew over 200,000, and October 1987, which drew over 500,000 and had the first public viewing of the NAMES Project AIDS Quilt, as well as the fact that National Coming Out Day is on October 11th. Since its beginnings, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and other national organizations have endorsed it. The governors of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Oregon, as well as the mayors of Boston and Chicago, declared October National Lesbian and Gay History Month in 1995. And in July of the same year, the National Education Association passed an amendment supporting Gay and Lesbian History Month.
	The theme for 1997's Gay and Lesbian History Month is Charting The Future, Reclaiming the Past. Click here to view the announcement. Gay and Lesbian History Month has served not only as a time to study and celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered history, but also to focus the public's attention on GLBT issues, such as discrimination, marriage rights, AIDS, domestic partner benefits, and more. It also helps to provide mainstream America with a more positive view of GLBT people.