Events | NewsOctober 05, 2023

UAFS Celebrates LGBTQIA+ History Month

Written By: Ian Silvester

Throughout October, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and the registered student organization PRIDE at UAFS will host a series of events celebrating and honoring LGBTQIA+ History Month.

PRIDE at UAFS president Elias Underwood-Zavala, a junior psychology major, says the events are meant to remind the LGBTQIA+ community that “you are seen, you are valid, and you are loved.”

According to PRIDE at UAFS advisor Caleb Cash-Tobey, LGBTQIA+ History Month “celebrates all the history that has happened with (these) communities, ranging from talking about the AIDS crisis, Stonewall, historical things that have passed recently, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and gay marriage.” Despite the mature level of content that will be discussed, Cash-Tobey assured that the scheduled events will be fun learning opportunities for the entire UAFS community.

Events will begin on Oct. 10 and conclude on Oct. 31. Reflecting on what is planned, Elias said that a successful LGBTQIA+ History Month comes down to one thing: making sure LGBTQIA+ students feel accepted, heard, and celebrated by their peers and campus, as a whole.

The Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center lobby will house a LGBTQIA+ History Month Hallway, educating and celebrating LGBTQIA+ history through the ages. A complete list of events, times, and descriptions are as follows:

Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m. – Safe Zone Training for Students

Learn how you can support and become an ally for your fellow Lions. The interactive Safe Zone training teaches more about the LGBTQIA+ community through positive and engaging ways. Those who attend will receive a newly designed Safe Zone Sticker to signify their support of the LGBTQIA+ community. Register for the event here. Safe Zone training will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, room 129AB.

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Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – National Coming Out Day Celebration

Join PRIDE at UAFS for the official kick-off event of LGBTQIA+ History Month. PRIDE will have its “Coming Out Doorway” for those who want to celebrate themselves. Students can open and come out of the symbolic door and into welcoming hugs, high fives, or fist bumps from people of support. There will also be flags, pins, and buttons available. Join them from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Campus Green.

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Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. – National Coming Out Day Pride Club General Meeting

Join PRIDE at UAFS to discuss the importance of LGBTQIA+ History Month on National Coming Out Day. Grab a snack while you color your own pride flag from 4-5 p.m. in Math Science, room 100.

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Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. – How to Protest and Counter-Protest

A guest speaker joins PRIDE at UAFS to talk about the history of protesting and how to protest today safely. Snacks will be provided, and those who attend can build their miniature protest or counter-protest signs. Come by Boreham Library, room 122, from 4-6 p.m. to learn more.

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Thursday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. – Safe Zone Training for Faculty and Staff

This session is designed for UAFS faculty and staff to participate in the interactive Safe Zone training to learn how to support their LGBTQIA+ students and those close to them. Faculty and staff who attend will receive their newly designed Safe Zone Sticker to show the LGBTQIA+ community that they welcome them into their offices. Register for the event here, and plan to attend from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, room 129AB.

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Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. – LGBTQIA+ Trivia Night with Pride

From Lady Gaga’s meat dress to Stonewall, test your knowledge of queer culture and history in Boreham Library, room 122, from 6-8 p.m. Prizes will be offered to the top three winners, and snacks will be provided.

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Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – LGBTQIA+ History Month Closing

LGBTQIA+ History Month may be ending, but your pride doesn’t have to. Stop by the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center fireplace from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to grab pride buttons, pins, and flags to carry throughout the year.

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