Galloway, NJ – On September 30, 2026 Pride Alliance and Queer & Trans People of Color Society (QTPOCS) unveiled their LGBTQIA history month display. The display features local LGBTQ history from past to current day and can be viewed on the 200 level of the Stockton Library’s Special Collections and will be up until the end of October.

LGBTQ history month was founded by Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, in 1994. He believed that there should be a month that was dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history. October was the month selected due to public schools being in session and to occur during existing traditions such as Coming Out Day (October 11). During LGBTQ History Month, 31 different LGBTQ historic icons are celebrated for each day of October. 

The display is dedicated to Laurel Hester; a significant figure in the fight for equal rights for LGBTQ individuals. She was a graduate of Stockton State College in 1978 and was a police detective in Ocean County. Hester was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2004 and wished to leave her pension benefits to her partner Stacie Andree. The county that Hester worked for refused to change its rules to allow her this right. Hester fought the county in order to gain equal treatment for her relationship. Hester’s request was approved shortly before she died at the age of 49 in 2006.

Kevin Cathcart—a Stockton graduate of ‘76—had this to say about the display “I just think it’s amazing that they put this history exhibit together and found all these things so many years later … and that it is a tribute to Laurel Hester, someone that played such a powerful role in NJ gay and lesbian progress and [I’m] glad to see that students are still organized and things are still moving forward at Stockton.”

The display showcases significant historical moments for the LGBTQ community. Including local articles, Argo articles from 1975, and various pictures. The articles feature headlines such as “GPU funding controversy grows”, “Gays organizing for recognition” and “Gay People’s Union wins funding battle.”

Beth Kelly, a Stockton graduate of ‘76 added “The display is lovely and very moving, 50 years is a long time and I’m reminded today of how much I’ve forgotten. So thanks to everyone that put this together.”

This display shows the rich history of the LGBTQ community and the many battles that have been fought to receive the rights we have today. The battle for equal rights has made significant progress, however the battle is not over.

For more information about Pride Alliance go to @stocktonpridealliance on Instagram and for more information about Q.T.P.O.C.S. head to @stockton.qtpocs on Instagram.