LGBTQIA+ History Month 2025

The background photo for this webpage banner shows people observing the AIDS quilt in Kirby Field House in 1992. The photographer is unknown.
Source: Lafayette College Special Collections & College Archives

Each October, Lafayette College comes together to honor the history, culture, and trailblazing icons of the LGBTQIA+ community. Through a series of programs, workshops, and events, the Office of Gender and Sexuality Programs, part of the Office of Intercultural Development, curates opportunities for learning, celebration, and connection across campus.

This year, we are grateful to our cosponsors and collaborators: The Queer Archives Project, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Student Advocacy and Prevention, the Lafayette College Arts Society, OUT, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, Skillman Library, the Office of Sustainability, and the Gateway Career Center. Partnerships like these make this work possible. If you’re interested in collaborating on future programs, please contact Gabby Hochfeld, Assistant Director of Intercultural Development, at hochfelg@lafayette.edu.

For more details, explore this webpage and click on the links to view individual event pages.

October 7th 4:30 PM

Empowering LGBTQIA+ Survivors

LGBTQIA+ people experience domestic and intimate partner violence at higher rates than their non-LGBTQIA+ peers. This training focuses on how you and your community can support and uplift LGBTQIA+ survivors. The training includes current research as well as practical skills for survivor-centered care. This workshop is lead by consultants Robin Gow and Rain Black of Aster & Petrichor LLC. As a part of our commitment to inclusivity, please contact Gabby Hochfeld at hochfelg@lafayette.edu for any accessibility related questions.

October 8th 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Coming Out Day

Celebrate National Coming Out Day with the Lafayette community in the Farinon Atrium on October 8th! Traditionally observed on the 11th, show up and show out early before fall break. This is a day to be proud of who you are and support anyone who is coming out! Join us in the Farinon Atrium during your lunch break for a photo shoot, eat some rainbow cupcakes from Sweet Girlz Bakery (a local lesbian owned bakery!), and learn how to be an ally to someone on their coming out journey. As a part of our commitment to inclusivity, please contact Gabby Hochfeld at hochfelg@layette.edu for any accessibility related questions.

October 9th 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Author Talk: Komail Aijazuddin

Komail Aijazuddin (b. 1984) is a visual artist and writer based in New York City. He holds degrees in Art & Art History from New York University and an MFA from the Pratt Institute. His debut book, Manboobs: A Memoir of Musicals, Visas, Hope & Cake has been published by Abrams Press in the US and Transworld/DoubleDay Books internationally. Let's gather to discuss selections from this memoir with Komail himself. A vegan/gluten free friendly meal will be provided. As a part of our commitment to inclusivity, please contact Gabby Hochfeld at hochfelg@lafayette.edu for any accessibility related questions.

October 15th 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Queer Closet

We are so excited to celebrate with you this Thursday from 4-6pm in Pardee Hall to honor our authentic selves and be sustainable & professional in doing so. We are doing a queer spin on the campus thrift shop. In addition to curated clothing, we’ll have gift cards for gc2b affirming apparel to ensure you can be comfortable and feel confident throughout your day. This event is cosponsored by the Office of Sustainability and the Gateway Career Center. As a part of our commitment to inclusivity, please contact Gabby Hochfeld at hochfelg@lafayette.edu for any accessibility related questions.

October 23rd 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Did You Know...?: Queerness and Religious Practice

Queerness in religious spaces historically has and continues to exist among all religious traditions. With this being said, we recognize that queer people have not always been accepted in these spaces. It is a commitment of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life to help inform students about the opportunities for religious participation and the presence of queerness in religious history. This event is not to define any tradition or make theological arguments but to show people that queerness and religiousness can coexist. For more information regarding accessibility for this event, please email trockere@lafayette.edu, the Interfaith Fellow for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.

October 27th 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Queer Disability Justice

This training combines approaches for queer and disabled liberation, examining the shared roots of oppression in ableism and homophobia/transphobia and helping participants develop their tool boxes for unworking these systems in their lives and organizations. This workshop is lead by consultants Robin Gow and Rain Black of Aster & Petrichor LLC. As a part of our commitment to inclusivity, please contact Gabby Hochfeld at hochfelg@lafayette.edu for any accessibility related questions.

October 31st 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Drag Story Hour

Take a break to join Clan Ann for Drag Story Hour in the Library! On October 31st at 12:00pm in the browsing area on the 1st floor of Skillman Library, local drag sensations Clan Ann will be reading some parodies of Halloween stories, including: "Frankenstein: A Monstrous Parody," "Goodnight Goon," and "The Very Hungry Zombie." There will be light refreshments, including cupcakes and coffee. As a part of our commitment to inclusivity, please contact Gabby Hochfeld at hochfelg@lafayette.edu for any accessibility related questions.