UNF celebrates LGBT History Month

October is LGBT History Month and the UNF LGBT Resource Center will celebrate with special events and programing to commemorate the month.  Since 1994, LGBT History Month is a time to educate, build community, advocate for equal civil rights and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community’s extraordinary national and international contributions. Every week in October, the UNF LGBT Resource Center will explore the different sexual and gender representations included in the LGBTQIA+ acronym. Upcoming events are all available via Zoom:

LGBT History Month Kickoff Event

2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, October 1: The LGBT Resource Center will kick off LGBT History Month by unveiling Wings of Pride, a new art installation that will be housed in four different locations on campus. The installation will display unique sets of pride-themed wings, each one representing a specific pride flag displayed alongside some of its written history and significance. Wings of Pride locations on campus include the Thomas G. Carpenter Library, Women's Center, John A. Delaney Student Union and the Fine Arts Center. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to stand in front of the wings, take a selfie and upload to social media using #UNFWingsOfPride. Guests speakers at the unveiling event will include UNF President David Szymanski; Whitney Meyer, vice president of diversity and inclusion; and keynote speaker Brian Silva, founder and executive director of the National Equality Action Team and the National Equality Action Team Fund.

• Week 1 - Events planned to celebrate lesbian and gay communities:
  • Monday, Oct. 5 through Friday, Oct. 9: "#BeBrave" is a joint event with the UNF Military Veterans Resource Center to share social media posts providing information and resources to members of the military and LGBTQ+ communities.
  • Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8: "OUT for Lunch" is a Zoom session where students, faculty and staff are encouraged to safely share their coming out stories.
• Week 2 - Events planned to celebrate bisexual, queer, pansexual communities:
  • 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14: "The Loud Lounge Presents: Bi-Erasure" is an informative look at bi+ identities with Kaitlin Legg, former LGBT Resource Center director.
  • Noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16: "I'M S.A.F.E. Consent Workshop" will feature Angel Renee, a.k.a. Professor Sex, along with the Women's Center, Victims Advocacy and the Women's Center of Jacksonville to discuss consent within the LGBTQ+ community. Register.
• Week 3 - Events planned to celebrate the trans and non-binary communities:
  • 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19: "Unpacking Transphobia Part 1" will discuss the terms trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming and effects of transphobia
  • 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20: "Unpacking Transphobia Part 2" will provide space to unpack and explore the lived experiences of trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming folks
• Week 4 - Events planned to celebrate the asexual and aromantic identities of the community:
  • 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28: "The Loud Lounge Presents: Asexuality and the Romantics" will explore asexuality, sometimes referred to as the grey spectrum, and the concept of romantic orientation.
  • 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30: "Gayloween" will close the month with a special celebration featuring UNF First Lady Maria Szymanski reading one of her favorite scary stories as attendees sit around a virtual campfire. Students are encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes.

To view the complete list of programming, resources and more information, visit UNF LGBT History Month 2020.