Ally Johnson, Journal Contributor
With October being LGBTQ History Month, Suffolk University joins the celebration by choosing different events every year in order to involve its community.
“LGBTQ month gives students a chance to celebrate different culture diversities,” said Craig Cullinane, associate director of the Office of Diversity Services. “Every year brings a new series of events to celebrate.”
Last Thursday, Brian Sims, a former football captain at Bloomsberg University, was welcomed to speak to Suffolk students about LGBTQ athletes and their allies. Sims was the first team captain to come out as an openly gay man. After his speech, Sims took the opportunity to speak to athletic Suffolk coaches about the athletes on their teams and involved with their sports.
October also brings a series of “Brown Bag Lunch Discussions.” The first, held Tuesday, discussed the recent appeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ The law, which was in effect from December 21, 1993 until September 20, 2011, prohibited any gay or bisexual individuals from speaking about their sexuality. This discussion allowed attendees to speak up about the monumental day in LGBTQ military history.
The second Brown Bag Lunch Discussion will be held on October 26 and will focus on the roots of homophobia in Uganda. The conversation will aim to discuss an in-depth thought process about the crimes that are being committed in the world around us.
Along with the discussions will be the General Safe Zone Training on October 19, informing and educating students and faculty is a great portion of this month. Within two hours, the Safe Zone Training will provide assistance for the allies of LGBTQ members of the Suffolk University community.
Suffolk will also host its annual drag show on October 26 where Boston Drag kings and queens will strut their stuff. The show isn’t exclusively presented for the Suffolk community, but is also open to the public.
“The Drag show packs the Donahue Cafeteria. We bring in professionals from the Boston area and they’re just fun. It helps put on a great show,” said Cullinane.
“When we see something different we can shut down or be curious,” he said referring to community responses to issues. “I want people to develop consistently and I want people to be curious.”
