Flag Raising Launches LGBTQ+ History Month
Pride Alliance hosted the flag-raising ceremony in the Arts & Sciences Circle on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
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.”
More Events for LGBTQ+ History Month
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– Story by Loukaia Taylor
– Photos by Lizzie Nealis
LGBTQ+ Flag Raising Reaffirms Stockton’s Commitment to Inclusivity
October 4, 2023
Galloway, N.J. – The annual flag raising for LGBTQ+ History Month on Oct. 3 was one full of emotion, joy and support for the LGBTQ+ individuals both part of and beyond the Stockton University community.
President Joe Bertolino reminded attendees that their presence on campus is not only valued but mirrors his own experience as a gay undergraduate student.
“I started my career in higher education 33 years ago, and at that time, I was advised as a residence hall director that there was a gay glass ceiling: if you were out, then you could forget ever becoming a dean or a vice president, let alone a president,” Bertolino said. “To the naysayers in 1990: I want to share that this is actually my third presidency. My husband, Bil, is the vice chancellor of the Rutgers University system, and together, we smashed that ceiling.
“I share that with you because I want you to know that no one can tell you that being who you are will hold you back. Be authentic. Be honest. Be you and celebrate that. We take pride in our diverse identities and are committed to creating a space where students can authentically be themselves and explore their identities. As long as I am the president of this institution, I will make sure that every student is seen and that they feel that they belong here in our community.”
Bertolino was introduced by Marques Johnson, associate dean of students, who acknowledged the people who made it possible for students to have a welcoming and inclusive campus.
– Story by Loukaia Taylor
– Photos by Lizzie Nealis
Moving On Up: Stockton Earns 4.5 Stars in Campus Pride Index
By Van Nhi Ho M.A. ’24 | FALL 2023 | Celebrate Diversity Digest
In working to make Stockton University an inclusive environment, offices and departments such as the Women's Gender & Sexuality Center (WGSC) have initiated policy changes and created dynamic programming that centers LGBTQ+ students. Follow the journey to being nationally recognized for this with Van Nhi Ho, graduate coordinator for LGBTQ+ initiatives in the WGSC.
The Campus Pride Index (CPI) is a nationally recognized assessment that evaluates universities on their LGBTQ+ friendliness. The index assesses institutions on a range of criteria, including policy, residential life, student development and retention, student life and much more. The rating system provides resources and information for potential LGBTQ+ students, helping them make informed decisions about where they wish to pursue their higher education. Stockton received 4.5 stars in the latest assessment.
When Stockton was first evaluated on the CPI, it received 3 out of 5 stars. While this rating indicated that the university had some support and resources for LGBTQ+ students, it was evident that there was room for improvement. Recognizing the need for change, the WGSC embarked on a journey toward enhancing its inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. We knew we needed to start the change internally.
This began with starting conversations with faculty on how they can make their classrooms and curriculum inclusive. These conversations began to inspire change through student organizations and different faculty departments to create those internal changes for our LGBTQ+ students.
