Galloway, N.J. –Long before Stockton University was ranked one of the top LGBTQ+-friendly colleges, a student in 1975 penned a letter denouncing the founding of a student organization called “The Gay Peoples’ Union” to the editors of the Argo titled, ‘I hate perverts.’”  

Immediately following the letter is one titled “Gays’ rebuttal,” written by the GPU’s founding members. In it, they proclaim that the LGBTQ+ population at Stockton “share the same rights to life, organization and community enjoyed by all others.”

Today, Stockton is a higher education institution that has earned national recognition for its support of pride on campus, which is annually affirmed in a rainbow flag-raising ceremony like the one on Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the Arts & Sciences Circle.

Reflecting on the past and how the people before them fought for their right to live their lives authentically was a common thread throughout the ceremony’s remarks.

Ellis Bonds ’15, director of Residential Education, credits the community of mentors he created while at Stockton who helped him explore this part of his identity after being raised in a religiously conservative household. He also emphasized Marsha P. Johnson’s role in the Stonewall Riots, which became the catalyst for all modern-day Pride celebrations.

“When she threw that brick at Stonewall, she didn't throw it just for her – she threw it for everyone,” Bonds said. “She threw it for a part of her community who deserves to live and love out loud and to be able to do those things without fear of being harmed. Today, we're standing on the shoulders of our ancestors, and Marsha P. Johnson is one of them.” 

Stockton President Joe Bertolino distinctly remembers attending a conference as a higher education professional in which he was told that being openly gay would be a “career-ender.” He is now one of around 300 college presidents who openly identify as LGBTQ+ and just recently celebrated 31 years with his husband, Bil Leipold.

“As we celebrate this month, I ask you to remember your history, and if you haven't taken the time to learn your history, I would challenge you to do so,” Bertolino said. “I shared with you just a small snippet of that history in my own story, but there were decades of oppression well before 1993. There are many stories that haven’t been told and still need to be told. In many ways, I get to be the beneficiary of those who came before me because if they had not done that work, I would not be standing here as the university president.”

When looking towards the future, the faculty advisor for the Queer & Trans People of Color Society, Joseph Cirio, encouraged attendees to consider how impactful gathering together as a community and sharing their stories is.

“For me, being able to talk, come together and see other people with similar experiences that I can compare myself to, and say, ‘I felt the same way,’ is so important to me,” said Cirio, an associate professor of Writing & First-Year Studies.

While the flag traveled up the pole and joined its Latino neighbor, student Genesis Rincón dazzled the audience with a cover of “Good Luck Babe” by Chappell Roan.  

The flag-raising kicks off a month-long celebration in commemoration of LGBTQ+ History Month, which is nationally celebrated throughout October.

Programming created by student organizations Pride Alliance (GPU’s descendant) and the Queer & Trans People of Color Society, and the Women’s Gender & Sexuality Center seeks to highlight the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ communities both within and outside of Stockton.

“Stockton has such a large and open queer community, and I'm so proud to see my peers thriving in their identity on campus,” said Kota Gansert, current president of Pride Alliance. “It is our mission to ensure our community feels safe here and to advocate for everyone. It is my honor to continue to shed light on the struggles of queer students and provide a safe space for all. We invite you to join us for all of the events for LGBTQ+ History Month.”