Why LGBT History Month?

Words from David Gunnell
When I came out as gay man, I belonged to the House of Dudcrest. House of Dudcrest was part of the gay underground Ball Culture. This culture dates back to the 1900 for gay nightlife. It also started, as a lot of bars in general, became a found family. In the gay world, where one’s blood family kicks them out for the love that dare not speak its name, this found family became a supportive family of tossed out LGBTQ people.

Being part of the House of Dudcrest, the the astute and knowledgeable members of the House taught the freshman about the world being a gay person. This included LGBTQ history.

The LGBT community is the only community worldwide that is not taught its history at home, in public schools or in religious institutions. Our schooling in LGBT history was passing on from one generation to another. Then came the AIDS epidemic.

The AIDS crisis wiped out a whole generation of gay men. No longer was the passing on the LGBTQ history. Not that it was lost; it was the newer generations, even those of today, not learning their heritage.

Therefore, LGBT History Month is unquestionably important to my community, but also to World History to all. It is relevant to know historical figure’s impact and how their life story impacts us and history.

Some quite known LGBT people:
Alexander the Great, Billie Holiday, Florence Nightingale, James Baldwin, Julius Caesar, King James