As part of Stockton’s efforts to celebrate LGBTQIA+ history month, Garrett Testut, a member of the Public Relations committee of the Student Senate, planned an LGBTQIA+ Allyship event titled ‘I’m not Homophobic,’ which was held on October 19, 2022, at the Campus Center Event Room between 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The event was held to educate students on how they can be allies to the Queer community.

The event started with an opening remark from Testut, welcoming everyone and appreciating them for their presence at the event. Following Garrett’s remark was a speech by Laurie Dutton, the Director of the Women’s Gender & Sexuality Center. Dutton emphasized the importance of addressing people using their preferred pronouns and reminded everyone of the lounge at the WGSC office, stating that “it is a safe place to unwind and be yourself.”

Following Dutton’s remarks, Kirby Delgado, drag queen, and Atlanticare’s LGBTQ Support Services Navigator gave a brief remark to take questions from the audience and share experiences of being a queer person of color. Thereafter, there was a brief interlude with music playing for attendees of the event to go around to play games and network with other people.

Student organizations that were tabled at the event included the Stockton Student Senate, Queer and Transgender People of Color Society (QTPOCS), and Stockton democrats, among others. Each of these organizations had games at their tables for students to play and win prizes. Kirby gave a stunning performance after the interlude that thrilled the audience, who appreciated the performance with thunderous applause.

 After Kirby’s performance, there was another interlude where students got food, played more games, and connected with others. The highlight of this part was when students rushed to fill up a sheet of paper they were given upon entry into the event room. The paper was for them to tick all the tables they visited during the event to stand a chance to win prizes. Most of the students began turning in their papers, waiting eagerly to hear their names called as some of the prize winners.

Following the second interlude, Kirby performed for the last time and this time around, a student joined his performance. This was the peak performance of the night, and several students took out their phones to get videos and pictures. Afterward, Kirby gave a brief closing remark where he expressed his appreciation for the students, DJ, and planners of the event.