Galloway, N.J. — Stockton University continued an annual tradition on Oct. 1 with the raising of a rainbow flag at the Arts & Sciences Circle to signify the start of LGBTQ+ History Month.

Student representatives from the Pride Alliance and Queer and Trans People of Color Alliance spoke at the ceremony. Jecce Carmen, president of the Pride Alliance, described the flag as “a powerful symbol of visibility, of belonging, and of hope.”

The observance was created by Rodney Wilson, a history teacher at a Missouri high school, in 1994. The following year, LGBTQ+ History Month was added to the list of commemorative months in a resolution forwarded by the General Assembly of the National Education Association. October was chosen as the month of observance as National Coming Out Day already existed as a holiday on Oct. 11. The first march for gay rights in Washington took place on Oct. 14, 1979.

The flag raising launched a month of campus events celebrating the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities. Upcoming events include:

• An LGBTQ+ Careers Panel at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Board of Trustees Room. Professional panelists will speak about the diverse fields of LGBTQ+ advocacy and health.
• Story Space: My Coming Out Story at 5 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Multicultural Center. Story Space is a program series where students gather to share experiences through storytelling.
• LGBTQ+ History Trivia & Tunes from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Campus Center Coffeehouse. Test your knowledge of LGBTQ+ history, icons, milestones, pop culture and music.

Stockton’s website has a complete list of events this month in addition to a list of LGBTQ+ on-campus resources.