Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month in Erie!

LGBTQ+ History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history, as well as the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements. It was founded in 1994 by Missouri high school history teacher Rodney Wilson. LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community, and represents a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. As of 2022, LGBT History Month is a month-long celebration specific to Australia, Canada, Cuba, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In the United States, Canada, Armenia, Romania, the Netherlands, Southeast Asia, and Australia, it is celebrated in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day on October 11th October and to commemorate the first and second marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987 for LGBT rights.

Today, LGBTQ+ History Month stands as a testament to the enduring efforts of Rodney Wilson and countless others who contributed to this initiative. With each passing year, October continues to be a time for reflection, education, and celebration of LGBTQ+ history and achievements, reminding us of the diverse narratives that enrich our collective history. Through this commemorative month, the journey towards inclusivity and acceptance continues, significantly impacting society.

Aging With Pride volunteers sorting Erie region LGBTQ+ materials for Archives Project on August 15, 2024.

Erie has a long history of LGBTQ+ culture and activism. To help preserve that history, Aging with Pride, an organization for older LGBTQ+ individuals, is working on an Erie LGBTQ+ Archives Project in collaboration with Penn State University Behrend. There is already a small archive of historical LGBTQ+ materials at Behrend, and Aging with Pride is compiling other materials to add to that collection. This material only represents a small amount of the rich LGBTQ+ history in Erie. Plans are underway to develop a more comprehensive "community archive" that will capture our past and what is happening now. Groups and individuals will be invited to participate in this ongoing archives project as it moves forward. This effort will be similar to other efforts nationwide, such as in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, to preserve local LGBTQ+ history for the future.

October is the perfect time to announce the development of this project. Please watch for more information about this Archives Project and how you may be involved.