LGBTIQ History Month was founded in 1994 by Missouri high-school history teacher Rodney Wilson to commemorate the first and second marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987 for LGBTQIA+ rights. His aim was to observe LGBTQIA+ history and the history of the gay civil rights movement at the time. Today it is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community while providing role models and building community.
LGBTIQ History Month is celebrated in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day on 11 October. As of 2020, it is a month-long celebration that is specific to Hungary, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Greenland, and the city of Berlin.
The annual month-long observance began in Australia in October 2016 when Minus 18 organised the first Australian LGBTIQ History Month in partnership with the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives, and Safe Schools Coalition.
Take a look at the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives for more information about LGBTQIA+ history in Australia.
Did you know? In 2012, Deputy Vice Chancellor Marilyn McMeniman launched Griffith’s Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Intersex, Ally Network group as part of the University’s Equity and Diversity Plan.
