Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBTQ+ History Month commemorates the accomplishments of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people throughout history. Established in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a high school history teacher from Missouri and the first openly gay public school teacher in the state, the month-long observance began to educate students about the often overlooked history of the LGBTQ+ community. Wilson noticed that when significant historical figures were mentioned, their LGBTQ+ identities were rarely acknowledged. To address this issue, he created a coordinating committee, and in 1995, the National Education Association (NEA) formally recognized LGBTQ+ History Month.

October was chosen to coincide with significant events in LGBTQ+ history, including the national marches for LGBTQ+ rights in Washington, D.C., in October 1979 and 1987, that advocated for ending discrimination in federal jobs and the military and securing family protections. In 2009, President Barack Obama officially proclaimed LGBTQ+ History Month. This announcement was a significant step toward nationally recognizing the LGBTQ+ community's historical influence in the U.S. 

This month, we commemorate several LGBTQ+ individuals who have made significant contributions to the health sector:

• John Ercel Fryer, a psychiatrist, came out as gay under the alias "Dr. H. Anonymous" at the 1972 American Psychiatric Association (APA) meeting. His courage led to the APA declassifying homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973.
• Louise Pearce, a physician and pathologist, contributed to developing a cure for African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), a disease that has impacted millions of people.
• Alan Hart, one of the first transgender men to undergo gender-affirming surgeries, was a pioneer in using X-rays to detect tuberculosis, which significantly advanced public health.

Looking for ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month? You can read the stories of Historical Medical Professionals or explore PBS's selection of films documenting the LGBTQ+ Experience.

— Submitted by CV Garcia, assistant director of inclusion and engagement, and Sean Gauntner, student intern