x
  
  
Posted: 10/08/20

TAMIU Observes LGBTQ+ History Month with Virtual, In-Person Student, Public Activities

 

Pride Flag
 

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will observe LGBTQ+ History Month and contributions of LGBTQ+ members to the history, culture and achievements of the United States with virtual and in-person activities throughout the month of October.

One of the activities, open to students, is a Coming Out Tie Dye T-Shirts event Thursday, Oct. 8 from 12-4 p.m. in the Student Center Patio.

Events range from those encouraging participants to share Coming Out Stories on social media to a Virtual Love Wall displaying messages of love and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Dr. Nicholas Hudson, TAMIU Student Orientation, Leadership and Engagement (SOLE) director, said the planned activities honor lives and shared stories.

“Everyone’s lived history deserves to be acknowledged, shared and celebrated,” he said, “Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month demonstrates an institutional commitment to building an inclusive and equitable community accepting all of our Dustdevils for who they are, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.”

 

Events open to the public are the following:

On Thursday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., TAMIU student organization, Campus Ally Network (CAN), will host a social media pledge for International Lesbian Day. The pledge will ask for participants to take a stance against stereotypes, discrimination, and violence towards lesbians. Participants can RSVP at https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/6496219.

On Friday, Oct. 9, from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., SOLE will present its Social Justice Leadership Series, titled, “Coming Out Stories” on Instagram. Participants are invited to record their own videos and post about their Coming Out Story on CAN’s Instagram page, @tamiucan. To RSVP for the event, visit https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/6379546. Only currently enrolled TAMIU students can receive a T-Shirt.

CAN will host a Virtual Love Wall Saturday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. through their Instagram page, @tamiucan. Anyone can write their own message of love and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Participants can RSVP for the event at https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/6496220.

CAN will host a Pop Out of Your Shell event Sunday, Oct. 11., from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. CAN will post a tutorial video on how to make colorful popcorn balls. The video will be posted on the CAN Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/txamiucan, and Instagram page, @tamiucan. Participants can show their results on their social media page and tag CAN. Participants can RSVP for the event at https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/6485841.

Also, on Friday, Oct. 16, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., on WebEX,  TAMIU will present the International Leadership Series titled, “Honoring My Voice: Navigating Queer and Racial Equity Work while Providing Self-Care.” The presentation will feature Julia R. Golden, assistant dean of Students and Diversity and Inclusion, at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. The Series brings awareness to social justice issues and provides students the opportunity to be a part of a change-making project. Participants can RSVP for the event at https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/6449545.

To better prepare students and community members about the importance of appropriate Halloween costumes, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 4:30-5:30 p.m., TAMIU’s Social Justice Leadership Series will present its Conscious Coffee Hour titled, “Blackface and Cultural Appropriation.” Dr. Hudson will engage in dialogue about Blackface and Cultural Appropriation. Participants can RSVP at https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/6377380. Only currently enrolled TAMIU students can receive a T-Shirt.

For more information, please contact Nayeli López, assistant director of Student Activities, at 956.326.2283, email nayeli.lopez@tamiu.edu or visit TAMIU’s Diversity and Inclusion website.