Historical & Current Events dictionary

LGBTQ History Month

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Published October 1, 2021

What is LGBTQ History Month?

LGBTQ History Month is a month-long observance dedicated to education, celebration, and awareness of the history, achievements, and impact of individuals who identify in these ways and their communities.

The term LGBTQ is a term that collectively represents people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (or those questioning their gender identity or sexuality). There are many variations of the abbreviation (such as LGBTQ+ and LGBTQIA) intended to represent those who identify in different ways (such as intersex, asexual, pansexual, intergender, aromantic, nonbinary, and two-spirit, among many other nonheteronormative identities that have traditionally been marginalized and discriminated against). LGBTQ History Month is typically considered to encompass all such identities.

LGBTQ History Month is different from Pride Month (sometimes called LGTBQ Pride Month), which is celebrated in June. Both observances celebrate people who identify in these ways, but LGBTQ History Month is more specifically focused on education about LGBTQ history.

**When is LGBTQ History Month?**

In the US and some other places, LGBTQ History Month is observed each year in October. In the UK and some other places, it is observed in February.

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Where does LGBTQ History Month come from?

The observance that became LGBTQ History Month was first proposed by teacher Rodney Wilson in 1994. That year, a number of schools and educational institutions officially established the event, which was then known as LGBT History Month. In 1995, it was adopted as an official observance by the General Assembly of the National Education Association.

October was chosen as LGBTQ History Month due to the holiday known as National Coming Out Day being on October 11 (a date that commemorates the anniversary of a major march in Washington, D.C., for gay and lesbian rights).

Examples of LGBTQ History Month

October is LGBTQ+ History Month! It was first established by Rodney Wilson in 1994, and declared an official national recognition in 2011. Throughout the month we’ll be sharing about LGBTQ+ athletes in history and their work to ensure inclusion in sports and beyond.

@HomeFieldTeam, September 30, 2021

"Y" MOUNTAIN RAINBOW - "Y" Mountain was lit up in rainbow colors Thursday evening ahead of LGBTQ+ History month, which is commemorated during the month of October. The mountain was lit in a similar way in March.

@Fox13, October 1, 2021

LGBT History Month is designed to provide role models, build community, and serve as a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBTQ community to our various countries.

Cassandra May Albaugh, The Community Voice, October 9, 2020

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Who uses LGBTQ History Month?

Did you know … ?

High school teacher Rodney Wilson, who is credited with working to establish LGBTQ History Month, is thought to have become the first openly gay K–12 teacher in Missouri in 1994.

What are other words used in discussion of LGBTQ History Month?

For other terms, see our Gender and Sexuality Dictionary.

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Note

This is not meant to be a formal definition of LGBTQ History Month like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of LGBTQ History Month that will help our users expand their word mastery.