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Identity Exploration: LGBTQ+ History Month

This guide has been created in partnership with HPU's Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI) Committee.

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LGBTQ+ History Month

HPU's Libraries & JEDI Committee are celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month this October. 

Marsha P. Johnson, an advocate for gay liberation and self-identified drag queen, had and continues to have a major positive impact on the queer community. Marsha's initial “P” stood for “Pay It No Mind,” "which is what Marsha would say in response to questions about her gender" (https://marshap.org/about-mpji/). Image courtesy of Dan Lacey, licensed with Creative Commons. 

Need Help? Get Counseling Support

With The Trevor Project, connect with a crisis counselor anywhere, anytime. Counseling support is available for LGBTQ+ individuals though the phone, chat, and text. Counselors listen and support without judgement. 

Also visit the Self-Care Guide, for small practices you can do to care for yourself at home, at school, and in public. 

 

Find Your Way Into Fiction

Become Acquainted with LGBTQ+ History

Read up on your history

LBGTQ Rights Milestones Fast Facts

Check out this quick resource from CNN on major milestones in LGBTQ+ history. 

Learn about the community

Read The Trevor Project's amazing guides:

And stay current too!

Pink News

Stay up-to-date on news and current events from pop culture to politics. Pink News calls itself "the brand for the global LGBT+ community and the next generation."

ACLU LGBTQ Rights

Learn about current issues as the ACLU works to "ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association."

Explore LGBTQ+ Perspectives

LGBTQ&A

"Weekly interviews with the most interesting LGBTQ+ people in the world. Recent guests include Laverne Cox, Pete Buttigieg, Roxane Gay, and Brandi Carlile."

Making History Gay 

A podcast "bringing the voices of LGBTQ history to life through intimate conversations with champions, heroes, and witnesses to history." Listen to an episode (or all of them!). 

Still Processing

Queer podcasters Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris "are working it out in this show about culture. That means television, film, books, music — but also the culture of work, dating, the internet and how those fit together."

Keep Learning

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Questions for Reflection

Use these questions to keep exploring. Think through them, journal, or discuss with a friend. 

  1. Who are some of the LGBTQ+ individuals who you admire most? In what ways (big and small) can you honor them (and if you are LGBTQ+, thereby honor your identity)?
  2. If you identify as LGBTQ+, what are some ways you would feel best supported by others? If you are an ally, in what ways do you support or highlight the LGBTQ+ community? How can you learn more ways of showing up for your LGBTQ+ friends? 

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