Brody's Scribbles... October Is LGBT History Month

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Sept 21 | Equality Forum announced the launch of the GLBT History Month 2009 Web site(www.glbtHistoryMonth.com), which is now online with a new look, expanded resources and easier navigation. No passwords are needed to access the GLBT History Month 2009 resources. A 2 ½ minute overview video showcasing all 31 of the 2009 GLBT Icons is available above or on the site.

Beginning October 1, a GLBT Icon is presented daily, with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources – all provided for free. The 93 Icons with resources for 2006, 2007 and 2008 are archived on the GLBT History Month Web site.

The 31 Icon videos can be embedded without charge on Webs sites or blogs by following the instructions on the site. Once embedded, the video player will automatically update the daily Icon video. Icon videos are offered without charge to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, for profit companies and the public.   

GLBT History Month posters, Icon lists, all 31 graphically-designed Icon bios and images can be downloaded or printed by clicking on “Resources.”  These resources can be used to make a GLBT History Month Exhibit. Equality Forum and GLSEN are sponsoring a GLBT History Month Exhibit Contest for high school GSA’s.

“Equality Forum encourages high schools, colleges, workplace groups, community centers and organizations to create GLBT History Month exhibits. The exhibits are a powerful civil rights message about our community’s extraordinary national and international contributions,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum.  “We are the only minority community deprived of its history in schools, at home, or in religious institutions. GLBT History Month teaches our heritage, provides role models and builds community.” 

GLBT History Month 2009 Icon videos will be broadcast on Logo and streamed on major gay portals.

“Equality Forum launched GLBT History Month in 2006 with 20 organizations having a GLBT History Month link on their Web sites. In 2007, 300 organizations had links. In 2008, over 500 nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and for profit corporations had a GLBT History Month Link, making GLBT History Month the largest collaborative project worldwide for our community,” said Lazin.