Kyle Keckler
News Reporter
Recently, the Idaho State University Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) hosted, with the help of the ISU History Club and faculty, a lecture called “Drag Across the World.”
Dr. Colin Johnson, professor in the College of Arts and Letters, gave the talk, outlining to the audience the core elements of drag and what draws individuals to participate in the art form.
From the wildly popular “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to Eurovision performances and far beyond that, numerous examples of drag from multiple regions of the world and cultures were discussed, examining the differences between these artists and the motifs of the medium which they chose to employ or avoid – the relationship between the artists and their drag represents more than the individual king or queen’s aesthetic choice but is reflective of a wider queer artistic pantheon.
October is LGBTQ History Month, with the “Drag Across the World” lecture being just the first of many events planned to provide students with opportunities to learn more about LGBTQ history and celebrate the queer community.
Started in 1994 by Missouri high school teacher Rodney Wilson, LGBTQ History Month has grown from that single classroom into a worldwide celebration and teaching experience for all things relating to the history of queer liberation.
LGBTQ History Month is officially observed in nine countries (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Cuba, Finland, Canada, Hungary and Italy). The specific month changes depending on the country. For example, in the United Kingdom, it falls in February, the same month as the decriminalization of same-sex couples. In many other countries, including the U.S., it is held in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, as well as the anniversary of the first and second marches of 1979 and 1987 for advancing LGBTQ rights.
Events planned to celebrate the month are being put on by a variety of groups on campus, including the political science, art, and history departments, the History and Art clubs and SAGA.
“LGBTQ History Month, to me, emphasizes the importance of going back in time and looking at how different individuals have impacted my civil rights and liberties today and acknowledging the beauty of queer people as a whole – everything that we’ve come to be and everything that we will become,” said SAGA President Liberty Madsen when asked about what LGBTQ history month means to them.
Events currently planned for LGBTQ History Month include a visibility show in the Fine Arts building’s John B. Davis Gallery, viewable from Oct. 16-27, multiple screenings of documentaries and films relating to queer history, open discussions on elements of queer art and representation and even an LGBTQ trivia event held at the end of the October. On the topic of the trivia event – local businesses have donated to the prize pool, and hints relating to the questions will be available at each event throughout the month.
When asked about the importance of these events to ISU’s campus community, professor of the College of Arts and Letters Edward Kammerer said, “I think these events are really important right now given the political climate both in Idaho and in the rest of the country where there’s been a lot of backlash against the LGBTQ community. And a lot of that backlash is not new, in the sense that we’ve seen these arguments in the past. It’s always been this moral panic that never goes anywhere. It’s not based on anything. It’s important to remind people that LGTBQ people have this history. We’re here, we’ve been here, we’ll be here.”
For the complete list of events and their specific locations, dates and times, be sure to keep an eye out on campus for flyers or visit www.isu.edu/polisci/alumni-students-news/lgbt-history-month-events-at-isu.
