Southern Illinois University Carbondale will recognize LGBTQ+ History Month in October with a number of special events and activities.
The theme for the celebration is “History Will Repeat. We Won’t Retreat.” Juniper Oxford, coordinator of the Paulette Curkin Pride Resource Center, said the campus is quickly embracing the theme and she’s hopeful Salukis will live by it not only in October but beyond.
“LGBTQ+ History Month is an opportunity for our students, staff, faculty, retirees, alumni and community members to come together and celebrate significant queer history, culture and achievements,” Oxford said.
She noted that this special month filled, with guest speakers, fun gatherings, movies and much more, intersects with Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“This offers a unique opportunity for people to gather at a crossroads where so many cultural commemorations meet,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for various communities to come together as this month speaks to the unity of our Saluki family at the height of the fall semester, when campus is bustling and our community is energized.”
All of the activities are free and open to the public.
Kickoff and keynote
The official kickoff celebration is today, Oct. 1, at Campus Lake/Becker Pavilion from 2 to 4:30 p.m. It’s a fun chance to learn more about what’s happening all month long while listening to music, enjoying pumpkin painting, refreshments and more.
Jeanette Mott Oxford, a native of Elizabethtown, Illinois, and 1986 religious studies alumna of SIU, will present the keynote address during a special event at 3 p.m. Oct. 10 in the John C. Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library. An activist and political leader, Oxford was the first openly lesbian member elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2004, representing an area that included part of St. Louis.
Re-elected three times, she will highlight the progress and perils she’s encountered in the past 20 years. She and fellow Missouri state representatives will also discuss the intersectionality of queerness and racial justice. Light refreshments will follow in the rotunda.
Numerous other happenings
Several films will be featured during Queer Cinema presentations throughout the month, including “Pelo Maleo” on Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. in the Sharp Museum Auditorium in Faner Hall and “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” at the same location at 7 p.m. Oct. 14. The final movie will be “Cuckoo,” featuring trans actress Hunter Shafer, at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 30. Those attending are encouraged to wear costumes for a competition. To enter, arrive by 7 p.m. Costume contest winners will be announced at intermission.
The LGBTQ+ History Month Closing Reception is set for 5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Sharp Museum. It also marks the closing of the special museum exhibition “Queer Stories, Queer Spaces: Southern Illinois Histories and Queertographies.” The evening will feature a drag show in the museum auditorium, including performances from local legends.
Homecoming weekend will include an LGBTailgate in the student tailgate area, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 25. Join the crew at the pink tent for hot dogs, veggie dogs and all the fixings before heading in to watch Saluki football.
A variety of other activities are happening throughout the month, including a variety show, town hall discussion, craft workshops, a free waffle bar, a costume dance, a Safe Zone retreat and much more.
Find the complete schedule and additional details on the Paulette Curkin Pride Resource Center website.
