Dickinson Celebrates 10 Years of Collecting LGBTQ+ History and LGBTQ Services
The LGBT History Project includes a wide variety of materials, from publications, to photographs, to material culture. Photo from Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections/The LGBT History Project.
History Comes Out: Ten Years of Collecting LGBTQ+ History
Dickinson Archives & Special Collections and the LGBT Center of Central PA are marking the 10-year anniversary of The LGBT History Project with a special exhibition on display in the Waidner-Spahr Library, from Oct. 1-31. The library will host a reception for the exhibition, “History Comes Out: Ten Years of Collecting LGBTQ+ History,” on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.
The exhibition highlights items in this popular and quickly growing collection, including newsletters from local activist groups, programs and photographs from regional pride celebrations and bar memorabilia. Featured materials include items from Carlisle’s first pride event, programs from Trans-Central PA’s annual Keystone Conference and collectibles from the historical Tally-Ho Tavern in Lancaster and Altland’s Ranch in Spring Grove, York County.
This reception is also an opportunity to contribute to the History Project. Attendees are invited to bring potential donations of documents, photographs and artifacts for review by History Project leaders. Attendees can also sign up to contribute oral histories or to serve as volunteers.
The LGBT History Project began in 2012 with a story circle hosted by the LGBT Center of Central PA in Harrisburg. The popular event evolved into an oral history and community archives project. Ten years later, more than 150 people have participated in oral history interviews, and more than 100 donors have contributed documents, images and artifacts that tell the stories of LGBTQ+ life and activism in south-central Pennsylvania.
Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., college holidays excepted.
Oct. 8: Celebrating 10 years of pride!
This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of LGBTQ Services at Dickinson. The Office of LGBTQ Services is pulling out all the stops during October, aka National LGBTQ History Month.
Oct. 8 is the date to save for Celebrating With Pride: 10 Years of the Office of LGBTQ Services, to be held in the Stern Great Hall at 7 p.m. All campus community members are invited to join in the anniversary bash. You'll hear from office founders and Dickinson leaders as they share their experiences, talk about our progress and highlight opportunities to stay engaged and support the LGBTQIA+ community at Dickinson. This event includes remarks by President John E. Jones III ’77, P’11.
More LGBTQ History Month events at Dickinson
The events continue throughout the month. Some of these events are open only to LGBTQ-identified Dickinsonians; others, such as the 10-year anniversary celebration and annual Out on Britton event, are open to the entire campus community.
Events marked with * are open to all members of the campus community.
Oct. 4: Di(ne)alogue
Landis House, 5:30-7 p.m.
Are you transgender (binary or non-binary), GNC, genderqueer or questioning and a member of the Dickinson campus community? Join Di(ne)alogue, a private, confidential dinner and discussion group! Share your thoughts and experiences as we build a close-knit community of trans friends and family.
Oct. 7: Queer Peers: Mini Golf Adventures!
Carlisle Sports Emporium. 5-9 p.m.
Queer Peers bring students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community together to build connections. Please join us at the Carlisle Sports Emporium for a night of mini golf. Transportation and the cost of entry will be provided, but make sure to RSVP through EngageD. This will be a wonderful time to socialize and meet other members of our community!
*Oct 8: Celebrating With Pride: 10 Years of the Office of LGBTQ Services
See above for more about this campuswide event.
*Oct. 11: Out on Britton
Britton Plaza (Rain location: HUB), 3-6 p.m.
Out on Britton is held annually at Dickinson in observance of National Coming Out Day. There will be food, giveaways, activities, music and more! Let's come together and celebrate LGBTQ+-identified folks! All campus community members are welcome to attend. Forty partnering offices and student organizations will take part in this big campuswide celebration.
"That's the largest number of partnering groups we've ever had for this event," says Todd Nordgren, director of LGBTQ Services at Dickinson, "so we're especially looking forward this this year's event."
Oct. 13: (BI)tes and Com(PAN)ionship
Landis House, 5:30-7 p.m.
Join us for bisexual and pansexual camaraderie in our private, confidential dinner and discussion group! Come to learn more about the bi and pan community, share your experiences of being bisexual on and off campus, and learn about plans for future programming specific to bisexual and pansexual identities.
*Oct. 19: LGBT Centers Day
Landis House, 4-6 p.m.
A national day of action focused on awareness around the work of LGBT community centers everywhere. Join us at Landis House to learn ways you can get involved and utilize your local center.
*Oct. 20: LGBTQ Spirit Day
Britton Plaza, noon-1 p.m.
Spirit Day is a means of speaking out against bullying and standing with LGBTQ+ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment because of their identities. Pledging to "go purple" on Spirit Day is a way for everyone to visibly show solidarity with LGBTQ+ folks and to take part in the largest, most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world. Join us on the steps of Old West and wear purple to show support for LGBTQ+ youth.
*Oct. 20: Screening of How to Survive a Plague (2012)
Denny 317, 7-9:30 p.m.
Join the Office of LGBTQ Services and Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies 351 for a screening of How to Survive a Plague, a 2012 American documentary film about the early years of the AIDS epidemic and the efforts of activist groups ACT UP and TAG. The film was directed by David France, a journalist who covered AIDS from its beginnings. An informal discussion will follow the screening.
*Oct. 24: A Night at the LGBTQ+ Archives
Archives & Special Collections, Waidner-Spahr Library, 6-7:30 p.m.
Explore a pop-up display of LGBTQ history from Dickinson College and Central Pennsylvania, drawn from our extensive special collections and archives. After viewing the exhibit, hang out and create your own collages and zines inspired by the objects in the library.
*Oct. 26: Intersex Awareness Day
Britton Plaza (HUB Rain Location), 11:30-1:30 p.m.
An international awareness day that highlights human rights issues faced by intersex people.
*Oct. 27: Ace/Aro Awareness Day
Britton Plaza (HUB Rain Location), 11:30-1:30 p.m.
Join us on Britton Plaza for a celebration of asexual and aromantic identities! Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about ace identities or to celebrate your own ace/aro identity. Treats and educational information will be available. Let's come together and celebrate asexual and aromantic identified Dickinsonians!
Oct. 27: LGBTQ+ Faculty & Staff Luncheon
Stern 102, 12-1 p.m.
Calling all LGBTQ+ identifying staff and faculty to join us for a luncheon in recognition of LGBTQ History Month. Need a break during the workday? Join the fabulous LGBTQ+ community on campus to lift your spirits! Food and drinks will be provided, bring your own witty banter.
To learn about the 10th-anniversary celebration and LGBTQ events at Dickinson this fall, please check the LGBTQ events & programs page.
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Published September 26, 2022