UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — October marks a monthlong observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, as well as the gay rights movement. Penn State’s Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, formerly the LGBTQA Student Resource Center, celebrates LGBTQ History Month with activities including workshops, speakers, film screenings and much more.
The month kicks off with the center’s signature HUB Takeover from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 2. The takeover will feature information tables representing student groups, University Park offices campus and State College community resources.
In honor of Penn State’s 100th Homecoming and in celebration of this year’s theme of "A Century of Stories," alumni and friends are invited to a tailgate prior to the Saturday, Oct. 5 football game versus Purdue University. Alumni and friends of Penn State’s LGBTQ+ community are invited to suites 507 and 508 at Lubrano Park, home of the State College Spikes and Penn State Baseball, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
On Oct. 9, transgender actor, singer and comedian Zach Barack comes to State College to share his story of growth as an actor after being tapped as Marvel Studios' first openly transgender actor. Barack will participate in the LGBTQ History Month Rally earlier in the day at noon on the Monumental Staircase before his 6 p.m. keynote in Freeman Auditorium.
University Libraries will be hosting two events during the month, both in the Mann Assembly Room in the Paterno Library. From 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 3, there will be a pop-up display of LGBTQ books about the history of the movement and those who were a part of it. On Oct. 8, three Penn State campuses will join the University Park campus for an all-day, Wikipedia edit-a-thon. Participants will have the opportunity to edit Wikipedia pages for queer people, places and things.
On Oct. 14, the center, in conjunction with the LGBTQ Student Roundtable, will sponsor a screening of the film "From Selma to Stonewall: Are We There Yet?" beginning at 5 p.m. in the Flex Theater in the HUB-Robeson Center.
October events include:
- Oct. 2 — HUB Takeover, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Oct. 3 — Libraries Pop-Up Display, Mann Assembly Room, 6-8 p.m.
- Oct. 5 — Alumni and Friends Tailgate, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Oct. 8 — Libraries Wikipedia Edit-a-thon, Mann Assembly Room, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Oct. 9 — Rally, HUB Monumental Staircase, noon
- Oct. 9 — Keynote: Zach Barack, HUB Freeman Auditorium; 6 p.m.
- Oct. 14 — Documentary: "From Selma to Stonewall: Are We There Yet?", Flex Theater, 5 p.m.
Throughout the month of October, there also are several national and international observances and celebrations around sexual and gender diversity, including
- International Lesbian Day: Oct. 8
- National Coming Out Day: Oct. 11
- International Pronouns Day: Oct. 16
- Spirit Day: Oct. 17
- LGBTQ Center Awareness Day: Oct. 19
- Intersex Awareness Day: Oct. 26
The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD), a unit of Penn State Student Affairs, provides a comprehensive range of education, information and advocacy services to students, faculty, staff and alumni. The center works to create and maintain an open, safer and inclusive environment honoring gender and sexual diversity. Visit the center’s website for a complete list of October events, as events may be updated throughout the month.