October is LGBTQ2+ History Month, recognizing the history and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and two-spirit communities across the United States.
Fresno State will have a variety of events throughout the month to honor and recognize the achievements of LGBTQ2+ members of the campus community. All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
Here is a list of campuswide events:
Oct. 1-31: LGBTQ2+ History Month Micro Exhibit, presented by LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services and LGBTQ2+ studies. The exhibit, located in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center hallway in the Thomas Building, highlights key moments across the LGBTQ2+ movement while sharing stories from the Central Valley. Contact: Cross Cultural and Gender Center, 559.278.4435 or ccgclgbtq@mail.fresnostate.edu.
Oct. 3: Rainbow Hangout: Rainbow Bowling — Pride Night, hosted by LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Bulldog Bowl. The event will feature a students vs. faculty and staff friendly bowling competition with plenty of laughter. All skill levels are welcome. Free for students, faculty and staff. Register here.
Oct. 8: Between Worlds: Art by a Local Queer Latina Artivist, hosted by LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services in collaboration with the People Organized for Women’s Empowerment Student Club from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center conference room and TLC Pride Room in the Thomas Building. In recognition of Latine Heritage Month and LGBTQ2+ History Month, a student artivist will share her journey into “artivisim” in the Central Valley, explore what it means to be an “artivist” and offer insight into how others can embrace “artivisim” in their lives.
This artist talk and exhibit marks the inaugural showcase of the LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services Student Artist Exhibit Series. The micro exhibit will be on display Oct. 8 through 31 in the TLC Pride Room, with an additional display at the Laureate Lab Corner, on the first floor of the Fresno State Library. RSVP for the talk and exhibit. Contact: Cross Cultural and Gender Center at 559.278.4435 or ccgclgbtq@mail.fresnostate.edu.
Oct. 9: Liberate Words and Minds: A Banned Books Read-in. The American Library Association launched Banned Books Week in 1982 in response to a surge in book challenges across libraries and bookstores. More than 40 years later, the need to defend open access to ideas remains prevalent.The Fresno State Library, Department of Africana Studies, African American Programs and Services, LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services, and the College of Social Sciences teach-in invites the campus community to a public read-in from 2 to 4 p.m., in the Library Diversity Lounge on the second floor of the Library. During the event, participants can share a short passage from a banned or challenged book to affirm diverse stories and perspectives. Register as a reader here.
Dr. Josephine Hazelton Boyle, professor of public administration, will also present a short talk on the politicization of public libraries. The Fresno County Public Library will be doing library card sign ups and there will be a raffle for banned and challenged books purchased from Judging by the Cover, a local bookstore. Contact: Cross Cultural and Gender Center at 559.278.4435 or ccgclgbtq@mail.fresnostate.edu.
Oct. 15: The Intersection of Race, Sexuality, Gender and Education with George M. Johnson, from the Building Together initiative — a collaboration between Fresno State’s LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services and Fresno City College’s Pride Center — to support LGBTQ2+ and allied transfer students and current students, while fostering strong cross-campus partnerships. Join a conversation between Fresno City College professor Dr. Apryl Lewis and George M. Johnson, author of “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” “We Are Not Broken” and “The Flamboyants” from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Old Administration Building (Room 251) on the Fresno City College campus. This event is free.
Oct. 23: Queer Talk: Vampires and Queerness and Movie Screening, hosted by LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services and United Student Pride Student Club. Dr. Michael Lee Gardin, from the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, will give a talk from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center conference room in the Thomas Building, to explore why vampire stories continue to attract so much cultural attention in literature and media. The United Student Pride club will later host a vampire movie screening from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Resnick Student Union (Room 206). Register here.
Oct. 24: Care Closet Workshop — Patches of Pride: Queer Style History, hosted by LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services. Kick off the newly remixed Care Closet (formerly Q Clothing Closet), a space for LGBTQ2+ identity, self-expression and personal style, with workshops open to all students to learn, create and connect. Learn simple patching while exploring how queer and trans people have used clothing to express identity and community from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center conference room. Register here. Contact: Cross Cultural and Gender Center at 559.278.4435 or email ccgclgbtq@mail.fresnostate.edu.
