On Tuesday, October 1, Stockton University’s Pride Alliance hosted the annual flag raising ceremony for the LGBTQ+ History Month.

LGBTQ+ History month began in 1994, proposed by Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher. Wilson believed there should be a month dedicated to celebrating and educating others on the importance of the LGBTQ+ community. Since “Coming Out Day” is on October 11 and school is already in session, Wilson and a committee of teachers and community leaders believed that October would be the perfect month to celebrate. GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, amongst other national organizations endorsed LGBTQ+ History Month. 

Stockton has a diverse community including a very open queer community. Pride Alliance President, Kota Gansert said, “I am so proud to see my peers thriving in their identity on campus. It is our mission to ensure our community feels safe here and to advocate for everyone.” The flag raising is an important part of being in the LGBTQ+ community at Stockton because it makes many students and faculty members feel seen amongst the diverse community on campus. 

Ellis Bonds, the director of Residential Education and Student Support Services for Residential Life, also spoke at this event. Bonds spoke of his time here at Stockton University and how it helped shape him and his identity as he went through his years here. Bonds gave an ode to Marsha P. Johnson, a large LGBTQ+ activist who threw the first brick at the Stonewall Inn Riot in June of 1969. If not for Marsha, many LGBTQ+ people would not have the same rights as they do today. “When she [Marsha P. Johnson] threw that brick at Stonewall, she didn’t throw it just for her. She threw it for everyone [who is] a part of her community who deserved to live out loud, deserve to love out loud, and deserve to be able to do those things without fear of being harmed or fear of their safety,” stated Bonds.

President Joe Bertolino gave a speech about his experience as an out, married, gay man. “I am the product of 16 years of catholic school and there a lot of things we didn’t talk about: sex, sexual identity, sexual orientation, and the LGBTQ+ community,” said Bertolino. In 2012, President Joe joined The LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education, and during that time there were only 25 presidents from around the United States.

The event ended with the raising of the Pride Flag and student Genesis Rincon performing “Good Luck, Babe” by Chappell Roan. Afterwards, students and staff gathered in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Center for food and refreshments, allowing them to spend time and talk about the flag raising and what it means to them.