September 29, 2004

GLBT History Month set at SIUC

by Bonnie Marx

CARBONDALE, Ill. - - For the first time, Southern Illinois University Carbondale will formally observe Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender History Month in October.

Sponsoring the effort are the Saluki Rainbow Network and Multicultural Programs and Services, which is part of the SIUC Office of Student Development. The theme of the month-long celebration is "Say It Loud, Say It Proud," an encouragement for members of the GLBT community and supportive allies to assist in addressing issues that face the campus community.

October commemorates the anniversaries of the first two gay and lesbian marches on Washington, D.C., in 1979 and 1987.

Events scheduled for the month are:

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 1 and 2

  • "An Evening of Queer Performance." 8 p.m., Kleinau Theater in the Communications Building. Stephanie Howell and Scott William Gust, doctoral students in speech communication, perform one-person acts, "Atrocious Body" and "The Girl with Golden Hair." Admission is $5 per person, $3 for students. To make reservations by phone, call 618/453-5618. No one will be seated after the performance begins.

Monday, Oct. 4

  • "That's so gay. Is that OK?" 7:30 p.m., Student Center Kaskaskia/Missouri Rooms. An introductory session on "queer" terminology and knowledge led by GLBT persons.

Wednesday, Oct. 6

  • "The Laramie Project." Noon, Student Center Illinois Room. A documentary created from more than 200 interviews with residents of Laramie, Wyo., following the 1998 murder of 21-year-old Mathew Shepard because of his sexual orientation. It presents a cross-section of American views on homosexuality, religion, class, privacy and much more.
  • "Out of the Past: The Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Rights in America." 7 p.m., Student Center Ballroom A. A film that tells the story of Kelli Peterson, a 17-year-old high school student in Salt Lake City who formed a Gay-Straight Alliance student organization in her public school and the protests, legislative battles and national media attention that resulted.

Thursday, Oct. 7

  • "Brother Outsider." Noon, Student Center Mississippi Room. A documentary examining the life of Bayard Rustin, one of the first "freedom riders," an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and A. Philip Randolph, and an organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, who was forced to play a background role in landmark civil rights events because he was homosexual.
  • Being Latino and Gay. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, Student Center Mississippi Room. Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois, will speak about his life experiences of growing up Latino and gay; Jorge Oliver, assistant professor of electronic and photographic media at Webster University in St. Louis, will screen his film, "Pride in Puerto Rico," which documents the 1999 GLBT Pride March there.

Monday, Oct. 11

  • "Love Makes a Family." Oct. 11-24, Student Center Art Alley. A museum-quality exhibit including photographs and interviews with families who have GLBT members.
  • Information Table. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 11-13, Student Center Hall of Fame. Offers information about GLBT History Month and the Saluki Rainbow Network.
  • Coming Out Stories. 6 p.m., Student Center Mackinaw Room. A presentation of coming-out experiences of GLBT persons.

Tuesday, Oct. 12

  • "No Secret Anymore: The Times of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon." 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, Student Center Auditorium. A film that tells the story of women who were partners for more than 50 years and are known as the founders of the modern lesbian civil rights movement. In 1955, they launched Daughters of Bilitis, the first public organization for lesbians in America.

Wednesday, Oct. 13

  • Billy Bean, GLBT History Month keynote speaker. 7:30 p.m., Student Center Auditorium. Bean, a former major league baseball player, disclosed his sexual orientation in 1999 and has been speaking out to address the issue of diversity in the sports world ever since. He is author of a book, "Going the Other Way: Lessons From a Life In and Out of Major League Baseball." He has been a guest on various television programs discussing the issue of sexual orientation in sports and travels the country on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign.

Thursday, Oct. 14

  • Homosexual Acts. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, Student Center (room TBA). GLBT persons will be featured in an effort to shatter stereotypes.
  • Safe Zone - - Ally Training. Noon, Student Center Saline Room. A workshop to help heterosexual people learn to create "safe zones," which involves advocating for the GLBT community on campus and helping to enhance tolerance of GLBT students.

Friday, Oct. 15

  • Blue Jeans Day. All day, SIUC campus. Show your support of GLBT people by wearing jeans.

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16 and 17

  • "Tying the Knot. " 7 p.m., Davis Auditorium (Wham 105) and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, Big Muddy Independent Media Center (214 N. Washington). Admission is $3. Documentary filmmaker Jim de Sevé explores the many issues behind the controversial topic of gay marriage and offers a look at how the legal and societal structures of marriage have changed with time.

Monday, Oct. 18

  • Spirituality and Sexuality. 7 p.m., Student Center Illinois Room. A panel of participants will discuss their own personal struggles and successes in balancing issues of sexual orientation and spirituality.

Tuesday, Oct. 19

  • Safe Zone - - Ally Training. Noon, Student Center Illinois Room. A workshop to help heterosexual people learn to create "safe zones," which involve advocating for the GLBT community on campus and helping to enhance tolerance of GLBT students.

Wednesday, Oct. 20

  • "Hope Along the Wind: The Life of Harry Hay." 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium. A documentary about the fascinating and extraordinary life of Harry Hay, a labor organizer, a Marxist teacher and a founding member of the Mattachine Society, one of the first gay rights organizations in the country.

Friday, Oct. 22

  • "Hysterical Women Lesbian Comedy Show." 8 p.m., Student Center Big Muddy Room. This lesbian comedy troupe originated in Chicago and has performed throughout the Midwest.

Tuesday, Oct. 26

  • Safe Zone - - Ally Training. 5 p.m., Student Center Kaskaskia/Missouri Rooms. A workshop to help heterosexual people learn to create "safe zones," which involve advocating for the GLBT community on campus and helping to enhance tolerance of GLBT students.

Wednesday, Oct. 27

  • "The Edge of Each Other's Battles: The Vision of Audre Lorde." 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium. A documentary film that is a tribute to legendary black lesbian feminist poet Audre Lorde. As one of the most celebrated icons of feminism's second wave, Lorde inspired several generations of activists with her riveting poetry.

Thursday, Oct. 28

  • Campus Forum: A GLBT Needs Assessment Discussion. 7:30 p.m., Student Center Ohio Room. A panel discussion by SIUC administrators on what is being done and what could be done to improve the campus environment for GLBT students.

Friday, Oct. 29

  • Ally Appreciation Day. Noon, Student Center Old Main Lounge. A reception to honor campus and community allies for their efforts in helping to build a more inclusive and welcoming campus for GLBT individuals.
  • For more information, contact Rob Perez at Multicultural Programs and Services, 618/453-5714.